GENERAL REQUIREMENTS   This assignment is primarily self-directed. There is a variety of possible topics and only a final due-date is imposed. The assignment is to submit a paper (written by the submitting student, of course) that satisfies the general requirements given here and the particular requirements found on the course website. Assignment Topics.   The assignment topics are keyed to one or more movies that are now available on video or DVD. Copies of those movies are available on course reserve at the library and many of them are available at local video outlets (for sale or rent). There is no requirement that the library copy be viewed. However, if there is more than one version of the movie, the version viewed should be the same as the one in the library.   The particular assignment varies depending on the movie chosen; some require viewing two movies. Overall, the amount of time and effort involved should be about the same. Paper Requirements, General.   All submissions must be typed (or computer-printed) on standard 8 x 11 paper, using 10- or 12-point type, double-spaced, with margins between 0.75 and 1.25 inches (sides, top, bottom). Each page must have a "header" with the submitting student's name and the sequential page number. There must be no fewer than three pages, and anything less than one-half page of type does not count as a page. There is no maximum number of pages, but it should be possible to write an outstanding paper in 10 or fewer pages.

Submission Deadline.   The required paper must be submitted no later than the end of the scheduled class session on April 24, 2002. See below, however, for alternate deadlines in the event an extra-credit paper is also submitted.   Papers may be submitted at any time during the term. One paper submitted before the April deadline will be treated as the required paper, regardless of when it was submitted. If two papers are submitted, the second will be treated as the extra-credit paper (assuming the deadlines for that have been met). Grading.   Since the writing assignment equals 8 percent of the final grade, a grade between 0.0 and 8.0 (in 0.10 increments) will be given. The grade will be based on the paper's quality. For each movie, or set of movies, there are some suggested topics for discussion. The discussion potential is not limited to those topics – each movie can be viewed as raising a number of law-related issues. A paper that discusses one or more movie-raised, law-related topics with clarity and insight will be considered of high quality. In making connections between the movie(s) and law topics, materials covered during the course (or at least included in the course text) must be considered as correct statements of the relevant law. While a paper should not make statements about "what the law is" based on speculation or rumor, it is not expected that students go beyond the course text to find the applicable law. Finally, though proper grammar, word-usage, and the like are not direct components of grading, they do make a positive contribution to any written submission. Extra-Credit Possibility.   Extra credit of up to 5 percentage points can be earned by submitting a second paper, following the rules for the writing assignment. Of course the paper must discuss a different movie. HOWEVER, the decision must be made rather early in the term. If a student wishes to submit two papers (one regular, one extra credit), the first paper must be submitted no later than March 20, 2002.