Invictus Assignment

Invictus incorporates so many issues examined by this course, that we can examine the film from a variety of angles. With this in mind, I'm going to allow you to approach the film from any angle you like. Your assignment is to write an essay (approximately two double-spaced pages) that examines topics of conflict, forgiveness, reconciliation, violence, or any other issue connected to the course.

Generally, then, you have free reign to say anything you like about the film. If you have a wish for more structure, however, you may use one of the approaches below.

• Reconciliation is a central theme of the film. In order for this to occur, a great deal of forgiveness must occur. Exactly what actions and attitudes must be forgiven by different groups involved in this conflict? Discuss the difficulty of forgiving such things. How do you think one can approach the challenge of forgiving that which seems unforgivable?
• Unity is another important theme. In the film we see Nelson Mandela work to focus the enthusiasm of the entire nation on the South African rugby team. He succeeds because rugby is a sport that all South Africans could relate to, regardless of race or social position. What parallels do you think exist in the United States today? Given our nation's political, religious, and economic polarization, do you think we have any single subjects that could unify us in a similar way?

Again, you are not required to answer these questions--write about anything you like. Let me know if you have questions.

Final Project Assignment

For the final project, please follow the steps below:

1. Topic: Choose a topic that interests you (almost anything goes; some examples are listed below). Once you have selected something, let me know what it is.
2. Research: This is the most important part of the assignment. Do all you can to make yourself an expert on your topic. Only a fraction of what you learn will appear in the written and in-class sections. Think about how aspects of your topic relate to concepts from the course, but don't fee restrained by this; let your curiosity guide the direction of your research.
3. Summary: In a short essay (approx. 2 double-spaced pages) summarize the most important aspects of your findings. Your summary should serve as a general introduction to your topic.
4. Presentation: Be prepared at our last in-class meeting to introduce and field questions about your topic. This will be a very informal presentation. Feel free to use any media/visual aids you like (although this is not required).

Try to choose your topic as soon as possible and let me know about it. Good luck!

Here are some sample topics. Do not feel like you are limited to what is here; there are tens of thousands of topics that are suitable for this assignment.

A.  Theorists/Concepts

                      1.   Karl Jung

                      2.   Akido

                      3.   Gene Sharpe

                      4.   Peggy Gish

                      5.   Marshall Rosenberg

                      6.   Deborah Tannen

                      7.   Quakers/Conscientious Objectors

                      8.   Christianity/Islam/Judaism

                      9.   Buddhism/Hindu

B.  Historical Figures/Events

                      1.   Martin Luther King

                      2.   Mohandas K. Gandhi

                      3.   Lech Walesa

                      4.   Alfred Nobel

                      5.   Albert Einstein

                      6.   Tiananmen Square

                      7.   U.S. Wars

                      8.   Israeli/Palestinian conflict

                      9.   Egypt, Libya, Syria

                     10.   September 11^th and Response

                      11.   Rep. Giffords shooting

                     12.   Osama Bin Laden killing

                      13.   The It Gets Better Project/F*CK H8

          

Film Assignment

Hey, guys. As we decided last night, the assignment for the film Invictus will be due on March 18. I'm going to need to re-watch the film before I can formulate a specific assignment, so give me a couple of days. In the meantime, if you have any assignment suggestions, let me know.