UGS 303: Introduction to Music and Film Sound
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UGS 303: Introduction to Music and Film Sound Unique: 62145, 62150, 62155, 62160, 62165, 62170, 62175, 62180 Lecture: CMA 2.306 2:00-3:30 TTh Screening: CAL 100 5:00-7:30 W Sections: 62145 CBA 4.346 9:00-10:00 F 62150 SZB 434 9:00-10:00 F 62155 CBA 4.346 10:00-11:00 F 62160 SZB 434 10:00-11:00 F 62165 MAI 220B 2:00-3:00 F 62170 MAI 220B 3:00-4:00 F 62175 MAI 220C 3:00-4:00 F 62180 MAI 220C 4:00-5:00 F Primary Instructor James Buhler MRH 3.722 512-232-8411 [email protected] Office Hours: 12-1 T; 1-2 W; or by appointment (recommended) DESCRIPTION Why do films have music? How do music and sound shape what we see in film? This course develops terms and methods for analyZing and interpreting the sound tracks of films. This course is divided into two large units. The first will develop terms and methods for analyzing and interpreting the sound tracks of films, paying particular attention to music’s role in the sound track and the overall relation between sound track and image track. The second part will focus on the history of film sound, with particular attention given to sound track technology and how it affects aesthetic choice of film makers. We will explore the thesis that each major technological advance alters the structural relationships that obtain among the three relatively autonomous components of the soundtrack—dialogue, music and effects. Texts • Buhler and Neumeyer, Hearing the Movies, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press, 2016) Please buy the second edition, which differs substantially from the first edition. You may be able to succeed in the course with the first edition, but there is much new content in the second edition. • Additional readings will be available through links specified and through Canvas. Fall 2015 Buhler, UGS 303, p. 2 Canvas and Reserves Lecture slides will be distributed via Canvas. Generally, these will be available the day after the lecture. Copies of all assignments will also be available on Canvas. PDFs and links to additional readings will be posted to Canvas as will occasional announcements. Required Screening We will be screening thirteen films over the course of the semester. The screenings occur from 5:00-7:30 on Wednesdays. Attendance at these screenings is a required element of the course, and you must attend at least nine of the thirteen screenings. You are responsible for tracking down and watching the films for any screenings that you miss. Extra credit will be extended to all who attend twelve of the thirteen screenings. If you have a regular conflict with this screening time, please see me and we will work out an alternative plan, but you will not be eligible for the extra credit. Grading Final Project 60% Other writing and reports 10% Section 10% QuiZZes 20% Attendance will be taken at all lectures and at the discussion sessions. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have signed in. (On days quizzes are administered, the quiZZes will serve as proxies for sign-in.) Three percent will be deducted from the overall grade for each unexcused absence beyond six. As mentioned above, you are required to attend at least nine of the thirteen screenings. Anyone caught abusing the sign-in mechanism by leaving after signing or coming in at the end of class only to sign-in will be counted absent and warned about violating the honor code. Subsequent violations be reported as honor code violations. Late work will be penalized 1% per hour late up to 10% per day, unless you have prior approval for an extension. If you are ill for a quiZ, please let me or your TA know before the quiZ is administered. Quizzes There will be five quiZZes on terminology and the readings. The dates for the quizzes are listed in the course schedule. Most quiZZes are planned to last between 15-30 minutes. Oral Report You will be required to present a short oral report in your discussion section. details of this assignment and assignment of a presentation time will be given during the second week of classes. This satisfies the Signature Course requirement for oral communication. Buhler, UGS 303, p. 3 University Lecture Signature courses require attendance at an Undergraduate College approved lecture or cultural event. The University Lecture is tentatively scheduled for either 21 or 22 September. We will let you know once the details have been worked out. You will be required to write a short paper documenting your attendance at this event. Gem of the University Signature courses require a visit to an important University center, library, or museum. We will be visiting the Harry Ransom Center on 16 October to examine production materials from the film Rebecca. You will produce a short paper describing and evaluating the significance of items seen during the visit. Discussion Sections Active participation in the discussion sections is expected. Please be prepared to contribute substantively to each meeting of your discussion section on Fridays. Your participation in the sections will be noted by your TAs and reflected in your section grade. Final Project You will be required to write a 6-8 page critical essay on the sound track of a film. You will have a number of preparatory assignments including some group work for this project. Laptops and Tablets You are allowed to use laptops or tablets to take notes in class and check for pertinent information on the internet. Please do not abuse the privilege by using your device to email, IM, text message, or update your Facebook status. Anyone caught using a computer, cell phone or other electronic device for non-class activities will be marked absent for the day. Plagiarism Using the words or ideas of another person without credit and citation constitutes plagiarism. It is a form of academic fraud, a violation of UT’s honor code, and subject to severe sanction in the academy. Basically, you always want to cite any words or thoughts that are not your own. Narrow exceptions to this rule include simple information (but not words or ideas) widely available in multiple databases and reference works (“common knowledge”) and the use of simple rhetorical templates and common grammatical forms of expression. An example of the first type of exception would be looking up the year a film was made in the Internet Movie database (imdb.com) or Wikipedia, in which case you would not need to cite IMDb or Wikipedia as your source because such information is considered “common knowledge.” But using other materials from such sites (reviews, synopses, etc.) without attribution would constitute plagiarism. Please note that even when a text does not indicate an author or bear a copyright notice, you must still cite the source if you take words or ideas from it. Buhler, UGS 303, p. 4 An example of the second type of exception would be templates for constructing certain types of sentences that you will be following for some of your assignments. By turning in a paper or assignment, you are claiming that aside from the narrow exceptions specified above all words without quotation marks and all ideas without citation are the product of your own intellectual labor. A tip sheet produced by the library on how to avoid plagiarism is available here: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instruction/resourcesheet.pdf The dean of Students Office explains varieties of plagiarism here: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis_plagiarism.php Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty “Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services web site at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/.” Policy on Use of Email for Official Correspondence to Students “All students should be familiar with the University’s official email student notification policy. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the University informed as to changes in his or her email address. Students are expected to check email on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University- related communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time- critical. The complete text of this policy and instructions for updating your email address are available at http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.html.” Official Statement on Writing Flag Course “This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and you may be asked to read and discuss your peers’ work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.” Signature Courses (Core Component 090) “This course fulfills three hours of the component area option of the university core curriculum and addresses three of the core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: communication skills, critical thinking skills, Buhler, UGS 303, p. 5 and one additional objective (teamwork, personal responsibility, social responsibility, or empirical and quantitative skills).” Signature Course Mission & Course Essentials “The Signature Courses at the University of Texas at Austin will connect students with distinguished faculty members in unique learning environments.