Night at the Movies (Reflection Paper)
Watch a movie and write a reflection paper on it. Select a film related to sustainability and write a reflection paper (see list below). DO NOT use a reflection paper simply to summarize what has been seen. Also, a reflection paper should not be a free flow of ideas and thoughts. The idea of a reflection paper is to write an essay describing your reactions and then analyze this movie experience drawing on the your perceptions, thoughts, and insights (critical thinking). It is not a movie critique of the mechanics of the film, the acting, the directing, lighting, etc.
A reflection paper should be as organized as any other type of formal essay. Include an introduction, perhaps one that describes your expectations before viewing the movie, perhaps based on the title. The body of your paper should provide a background for the film in regards to identifying the main theme, issues, problems, conflicts, or points of view expressed in the film. Then explain your position (ethical, political, social, legal, business, etc.) regarding the theme, issues, problems, etc. identified in the movie and the reasons for your position. You may do further research if it strengthens your paper. End the essay with a conclusion that sums up what you are taking away from the movie. You might want to refer to your conclusions in relation to your expectations prior to watching the film or come to some other conclusion or analysis regarding your position.
As each individual will have a valid and potentially differing perspective, students are encouraged to provide a personalized, yet meaningful assessment of ideas presented. The reflection paper will be no less than three (3) pages with double line spacing (1 inch margins, 12-point font, New Times Roman). No citations are required, but if you research the topic, please include references. Cover page and references are not included in 3 pages. The list of movies is found below:
Forest Gump
Flow
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Revenge of the Electric Car
Gasland
Patch Adams
Doing Time, Doing Vipassana
The 11th Hour
Bloody Sunday
Changing Lanes
Avatar
The Milagro Beanfield War
Koyaanisqatsi
An Inconvenient Truth
Something Ventured
Fast Food Nation
A Small Act
Forks Over Knives
Foodmatters
