+1 862 207 3288 Fall 2015
1. Write a 1500-2000 word paper (about 7-8 double-spaced typed pages) which examines a particular
historical theme or series of events dealt with by one of the films listed below. Assess and account
for how well the film maker has managed to convey a meaningful and convincing interpretation of this
theme and/or these historical events. Be sure to explain the rationale you use for this assessment.
The listed films are of two types: those which deal with actual historical events and those which deal
with historical themes in general but do not follow “real” life events except, perhaps, as backdrop.
Whether you choose to examine an historical theme (for example, how the director has depicted class and
gender relation in New Spain or how the director has chosen to characterise the Spanish conquest of
Peru) or the portrayal of a “real” historical event or person (e.g.. the characterisation of Cabeza de
Vaca or Lope de Aguirre or the depiction of the early relations between the Spanish conquistadors on
Hispaniola and the indigenous inhabitants), you will need to set out at the beginning of your paper
WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO EXAMINE and then go on to ASSESS HOW WELL THE FILMMAKER HAS DONE WITH HIS/HER
DEPICTION IN HISTORICAL TERMS and finally, AN ACCOUNTING OF HOW OR WHY THE DIRECTOR/FILMMAKER WENT
RIGHT OR WRONG.
2. Use at least seven independent sources. You must show that you have used them by citing them.
Please do not include in this number encyclopedias and do not use film reviews as expert
historical/scholarly sources. Please also take care with publicity packages that filmmakers put out
for their films. You may consult these, of course, but they are not usually understood to be
specialist sources. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA. You might wish to consult some primary source material
(original documents such as diaries, memoirs, letters etc.) in addition to secondary literature
(historical monographs, articles). UNLESS IT IS A PRIMARY SOURCE (E.G. HISTORICAL DOCUMENT, INTERVIEW
WITH A DIRECTOR OR ACTOR) OR A PEER-REVIEWED SOURCE (ELECTRONIC JOURNAL ARTICLE OR E-BOOK), YOU MAY NOT
USE THE INTERNET. Go to the library and read or use the library’s electronic journal databases.
Scholarly articles of this kind are perfectly fine but should be cited as electronic sources and always
use the PDF version so you can cite page numbers. Electronic sources must be duly indicated as such
and appropriately cited (rule of thumb – if I cannot find it, you cannot use it).
3. You will need to watch the film (at least once, but ideally, more than once), read about the
historical period and non-fictional characters portrayed in the film. This is where diaries, memoirs
and other primary sources might be invaluable. You will probably need to read about the background of
film makers and research the context in which the film was made (How was the film funded? Was the
film’s topic of particular political or social sensitivity at the time of its making? How did this
type of thing affect the historical representations in the film? Who was the intended audience?).
4. Pay careful attention to grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and spelling. You will be
marked down for incorrect English. Be sure to footnote or provide embedded citations (with page
numbers) for all quotations, paraphrases, information not commonly known etc. in your paper and provide
a proper bibliography or “works cited” list at the end of your paper. I WILL NOT ACCEPT APA METHOD OF
CITATION. Use MLA or Chicago/Turabian. Essays which do not have proper footnotes OR endnotes OR
embedded citations WITH page numbers will be handed back to students unmarked and, if late at time of
resubmission, will be penalized accordingly. Keep copies of all your notes and a photocopy/electronic
copy of your essay.
5. DEADLINE AND COVER SHEET/MARKING SCHEME: The completed essay is due on Thursday, November 5,
2015 IN CLASS or you may submit it to the fifth floor Jorgensen Hall essay drop box BEFORE 3.30 p.m. A
late penalty of 2% per day will be assessed for all late papers up to a maximum of 20%. No papers will
be accepted after Monday, December 7, 2015. STUDENTS MUST ATTACH AND SIGN A “HISTORY ESSAY COVER SHEET
AND MARKING SUMMARY” PROVIDED BELOW. PAPERS SUBMITTED WITHOUT THIS SHEET WILL BE RETURNED UNMARKED. We
will mark papers in order of submission. If you submit your paper late, it will not necessarily be
marked and returned before the final exam.
The Films
Most of the following films are available through your local video outlets or online. For the
older or more “obscure” films, try Suspect Video on Markham Street (416-588-6674) or Queen Street Video
(on Queen, 416-=504-3030; on Bloor 416-588-5767). There are a number of “specialty” video rental
outfits elsewhere in the city.
Be sure to note the DATES of the films and see the film released in the stated year.
The Ballad of Mangal Panday (2005) aka Mangal Panday: The Rising
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith (1978)
Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972)
Zulu (1964) and Zulu Dawn (1979). You may compare and contrast these or write on just one.
Sankofa (1993)
The Patriot (2000)
Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Vénus Noire/Black Venus (2010)
Clive of India (1935)
The Piano (1993)
Yo Peor de Todas/I Worst of All (1990)
History Essay Cover Sheet and Marking Summary
Student Name:
Student Number:
Title of Paper:
Student Declaration Regarding Ryerson’s Code of Academic Conduct: I declare that I have read and
understood the Ryerson University “Student Code of Academic Conduct” and have visited the Academic
Integrity website for clarification of same (http://www.ryerson.ca/academicintegrity/) and agree to
abide by the rules set down therein.
Student Signature:__________________________Date___________
Key for Notations on Script:
? = unclear meaning
wd. = have you used the right word to express this?
awk. = awkward wording or phrasing
sp. = spelling error
gr. = grammatical error
e.g. = example is needed
conc = inadequate conclusion
def. = need to define terms/or inadequate definition
___ = underlining – indentifies a problem area in the text
¶ = new paragraph required
Breakdown of Grade
Structure and Style: (40%) _______
grammar and syntax
spelling and punctuation
organisation: effective introduction, body and conclusion
sources (number, quality and method of citation)
Content: (60%) _______
coverage of subject matter
understanding of question
argument (logic, originality, sophistication)
style (effectiveness)
Final Grade: __________
General Comments:
