Great Works - FINAL EXAM EXTRA CREDIT James Madison University

[If you would like to earn 5 points extra credit on the final, here are some additional alternatives beyond the previously announced write-ups based on attending either the on-campus talk on designing avatar crowd behaviors (already past) or the talk by Dr. Diana Glyer of the C.S. Lewis Society at the Harrisonburg Barnes and Noble (THURSDAY, 4/10, at 7:30pm!). The minimum length requirements for each option below are based on typed, doublespaced, Times New Roman 12-point font. If your work is submitted in some other format (eg., not typed), you should adjust accordingly. You may turn in your extra credit no later than with your final exam. REMEMBER: You only get credit for at most one extra credit assignment on the final, so don't bother doing more unless it's for fun. :) Assignments that are not adequately completed may get only partial credit.

1. Read or re-read an original Grimm Brothers' fairytale (in translation, of course). Using at least three of the characteristics of fairytales developed in class and at least one definition of "fairytale" that you find yourself, write a one and a half to two page discussion (typed) of the extent to which the story you read qualifies as a fairytale. Make sure to discuss specific elements in the story and to include a citation for the "fairytale" definition you find.




2. OR Watch the full online version of the 1995 Showtime movie Harrison Bergeron at this website: movie link. Then, write a one to two page response paper (typed) discussing the ways in which the society in the film is and is not like the dystopia in Kurt Vonnegut's original story by that name.




3. OR Watch either the The Postman , based on a science fiction novel with a post-apocalyptic setting by David Brin, or the rather unusual cult-classic film A Boy and His Dog, which also depicts a post-apocolyptic setting. Then write a one to two page response paper on the film you chose to watch, discussing post-apocalyptic details. The Postman will be available on reserve in Carrier Library media resources. A Boy and his Dog may also be made available in Carrier Library media resources, if I can get it. Otherwise, you'd need to see if you can rent that one locally. (NOTE: Please be aware that A Boy and His Dog is somewhat risque -- it is subtitled "A rather kinky tale of survival" -- and that it therefore won't appeal to everyone...)