transgender

1. Write a brief essay on the following topic. Your essay should be approximately 2 doublespaced
pages (600 words by
computer word count)
Critically evaluate some aspect of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in light of some aspect from one of the readings we’ve done
so far this term. Your aim should be to take a position with respect to one of the films and argue cogently for that position.
Make sure to focus your discussion closely on just one aspect of the film, and on just one aspect of the reading you
choose, since it is not reasonable to take on any more than this in an essay of this length. Nor is it necessary that you
agree with the reading you choose. Rather, you should take a focused stand on whichever film you’ve chosen that is
informed by one of the readings. This might mean, for instance, evaluating one of the characters in The Aggressives in
light of Kessler and McKenna’s account of gender attribution. Alternatively, you might analyse references in Hedwig to the
Biblical creation stories within the reading from Genesis. The possibilities are, in fact, endless.
Your essay must show evidence that you have carefully read/viewed and considered the relevant primary sources. (That
is, don’t just regurgitate the lecture notes; it will be obvious if you do, and your grade will suffer for it.) Note that you are free
to use any of the course readings covered up to this point in the course, including those mentioned in part 1 of this exam.
Note on Citations for Part 2: For your reflective essay, you should consult only sources comprised in the course materials
(i.e. Do not consult outside sources). Since this part of the exam consists of a formal essay, you should include citations
whenever you quote or paraphrase ideas drawn from the relevant reading. Use parenthetical references of the (author,
page #) format. Direct quotations should be kept brief, i.e. a line or two, and used only to support or illustrate points that
you have already put in your own words.
Citations are not required when you refer to relevant film content. However, if your favoured A/V equipment or A/V
applications permit, it would be greatly appreciated if you could indicate a timemarker
(e.g. 49:20) for specific scenes you
allude to, though this is not mandatory and there will be no grade deductions for not including timemarkers.