Seminar Paper #9 Assignment
A Beautiful Mind (2001) Ron Howard
“Madness in Movies” Coordinated Studies
Brian Holt & JC Clapp, North Seattle Community College, 2013
Focus/Topic: Cultural and Social Significance
Films exist in particular social and cultural contexts, and films communicate to the viewer a
particular view of the world and what’s normal, possible, unacceptable, and desirable. Films
both influence and reflect social and cultural norms and attitudes.
Your Task (What your paper should include):
Write a short thesis-driven interpretive essay that explains the cultural or social significance of
A Beautiful Mind. As you do that, consider these questions:
 What are the negative symptoms and the positive symptoms of schizophrenia portrayed
in the film? What do those symptoms tell us about prognosis? And what is significant
about that prognosis?
 What does the film tell us about what’s desirable in marriage, family and friendship?
 What does this film tell us about the value of education and intellect?
 What does this film tell us about schizophrenia (and mental illness in general)? What is
culturally or socially significant about how mental illness is portrayed?
 How does this film reflect the cultural values and norms of the time-period in which it
was made (United States in 2001)?
Refer to at least three specific scenes from the film to support and explain your ideas (use time
stamps). No research is necessary, but if you choose to do any, be very sure to cite your sources
correctly using MLA.
What your paper should not include:
 a review (don’t tell us whether or not you liked the film)
 a biography of the director or actors or a synopsis of what the director/actors say in the
“Director’s Cut” of the film
 a plot summary
Grading Criteria (20 points): We will be looking for these elements when we grade your paper:
 Paper is in essay format with a brief introduction, a thesis, supporting paragraphs, and a brief
conclusion
 A minimum of 750-1000 words (about 2-3 pages)
 A heading that includes the name of the film, the year, and the name of the director
 Assignment typed in 12 pt. font, double spaced, and has 1 inch margins
 No response, critique, review, evaluation, or reaction
 Any ideas used from research sources are properly documented using MLA
 Grammatically correct and proofread