The first written assignment for street gangs should make use of information tha

The first written assignment for street gangs should make use of information that you have read
and discussed from the first section of the class in your analysis of the film adaptation of West
Side Story. Be certain that you have addressed each question below and that you have included
discussion of and appropriate citations to the course readings for this section. In addition,
information from our web sites and any other pertinent sources may be included in your
responses. Note the grading rubric on the second page of this assignment.
First, give an overview of the film and of the material that you have read from the first two
weeks of class (including especially The Gang and Reaching the Fighting Gang) What is the
social/historical context of the film? What do we know about street gangs at this period of time?
What are some broad statements that we can make about the nature of delinquent gangs, their
membership, their organization, their activities, etc.? This is the broader social/historical context
of the film (or, at least this represents our knowledge base at the time that we watch the film).
Second, give a summary of the film. What is the basic plot? Who are the major characters?
What are the most significant episodes in the film? What is the conclusion of the film? Select
two specific scenes from the film for further analysis. Describe each scene and answer the
following questions: What does the video tell us about delinquent gangs in the 1950s? What
specific images from the film support your view? What has research (our reading) shown you
about the historical background to the scene(s) you have selected?
Finally, put your observations together and connect them to what we have read for the class. Is
the film-maker simply telling us a story, or is she/he trying to present a specific message? How
effective is the film? Does the story seem to be historically/culturally accurate? Are you
convinced by his/her message?
Citations should be included in your text, and must include the reading for this section of the
course and Frederic Thrasher’s The Gang. References go on a separate page and must follow
ASA format (check it out in the course D2L website).
.
Completed papers: are carefully written… have been proofed and corrected… represent your
best work… include appropriate citations and references from the assigned reading material…
include your name, title, and word count on cover page… contain 1500-1800 words…
references included on separate page… are typed with normal Times New Roman or CG Times
font (this assignment is not written in a normal font) at 12 cpi and on pages with 1” margin on
both sides and top/bottom… will be graded both on content and overall writing effectives…