Project Planning Assignment (20 points):  

In order to get the most out of your research, and to find an appropriate film to review, select an overall topic for the semester.  This will allow students to use individual assignments throughout the semester as source material for their final project.  It will also help students discover early on if there are issues with their topic of choice.  For example, it might be difficult to find adequate information on a particular topic.

This is an example of what I am expecting to see:

Research Topic:  Agricultural Sustainability

Film Review:  The Plow that Broke the Plains.  This film, circa 1934, argues farmers contributed to the massive erosion problems of the Great Depression.

Book Review:  On the Great Plains: Agriculture and Environment by Geoff

Cunfer.  Cunfer defends the concept of environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Oral History Presentation:  Interview with a farmer who remembers the Dirty Thirties.

This will help give me an idea of what topic you plan on researching, and what types of sources you have been able to find.  Many students will need my assistance to find source material for their topics, especially an appropriate film related to their topic.

You are not expected to commit to something right away, but this will allow me to better assist you in your research.  It is also possible some students might find it necessary to change topics.  Doing a little planning now can save a lot of time and trouble later in the semester.