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Silent Horror Cinema: 1890-1932 / Art 497.002 Fall 2011 Credits: 3

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Silent Horror Cinema: 1890-1932 / Art 497.002 Fall 2011 Credits: 3 SFA School of Art Silent Horror Cinema: 1890-1932 / Art 497.002 Fall 2011 Credits: 3 Instructor: Ron J. King Course Time & Location: 2:00-5:00 F /Rm. #106 Office: Art Shop / Upper Bldg. Office Hours: 8-5 Shop / M-F Office Phone: 468-4416 Class Web Blog: www.nitratehorrors.blogspot.com Email: [email protected] Textbook: "Chronicles of Terror: Silent Screams" Steve Haberman, Luminary Press, ISBN #: 1-887664-39-4 Prerequisites: I. Course Description: This lecture course is an introductory overview of the development of the horror film in modern cinema. We will trace it's roots through it's earliest beginnings, analyzing the artistic, social and political ramifications of the silent era of "golden age cinema", up through the earliest sound-based efforts of the "talkie" motion picture. Students will be given information that links many of the surrounding conditions that contributed to what we consider today to be a viable genre of film that once began as the "genre-that-never-existed". The goal of this course is to pique an interest in not only the historical, artistic and literate merits of a subject which students can relate to, but to create an understanding of the conditions surrounding the subject that will then offer a larger “world view”. By understanding the bigger picture through interconnections with the art movements that ran parallel to the phenomenon of early cinema, students can start to investigate and question the many related subjects and conditions that effected the silent film genre. II. Intended Learning Outcomes/Goals/Objectives (Program/Student Learning Outcomes): We will study, through lecture, interaction and viewing of the films themselves, what established the notions of the horror film and what possible explanations may exist as to why this genre came into being, thus influencing our modern perceptions of not only cinema, but society and our perceptions of reality. A. Program Learning Outcomes: 1. Undergraduate students will comprehend basic principles, ideas and issues germane to the History of Art, through their foundation level art history instruction. 2. Undergraduate students will exhibit proficiency in the application of technical and problem solving skills appropriate to their designated concentration, as well as developing individual creativity: Art Education, Art History and Art Studio (Advertising Design, Art Metal/Jewelry, Ceramics, Cinematography, Digital Media, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture). B. Student Learning Outcomes: 1.-2. Through lecture and the study of the films students will be tested with 3 exams (1 for each section). These exams should reflect knowledge acquired in both the history of art as well as issues prudent to the studio artist as covered in class. This material shall be discussed in class during the lecture portion of the course. Students will spend time interacting with one another in a discussion format to better question the material at hand. Students shall also be graded upon a 10-page minimum research paper (graduate students 15-25 pages) choosing from the topics presented concerning the material. These topics will range from those that address art history, world history and events and cinematic history, to specific studio methods and disciplines and their connection to the films. III. Course Assignments, Activities, Instructional Strategies, use of Technology: Assignments consist of 3 exams and 1 term research paper. Activities include the screening of parts or entire public-domain horror themed silent films. Technologies utilized in the course include use of the library system, the internet, periodicals, film study and use of our web blog. IV. Evaluation and Assessments (Grading): Attendance: Being that class only meets on Fridays, students may only miss a single class session without hinderance to their grade. Upon the second absence, the student will drop a letter grade. Upon the third the student will drop one grade further. Beyond this is failure for the course. The Exams: There are 3 exams (the final being one of the exams equal in weight). Each is worth 20% of the grade (60% total). 1 essay paper of a chosen topic is worth 30% of the grade. 10% of the final grade is based on creative discussion, class participation attentiveness, attendance and general student behavior in class. Term Paper: Students shall also be graded upon a 10-page minimum research paper (graduate students 15-25 pages) choosing from the topics presented concerning the material. These topics will range from those that address art history, world history and events as well as cinematic history, to specific studio methods and disciplines in connection with the films being presented. This paper is worth 30% of the final grade. The term paper should be presented in APA format. The SFA Library has the following links as to how to cite sources, and present a paper and execute research: Citing Sources: http://libweb.sfasu.edu/proser/ris/citesources.html Inter Library Loan: http://libweb.sfasu.edu/proser/acqser/ill.html This paper shall only be presented in 12 point, Arial or Times New Roman font, with 1” margins, double- spaced. Any deviations from the requirements can affect the grade. You must have a minimum 4 sources for your research paper. Two of these must be books, articles or periodicals. “Wikipedia” is not considered a valid source for your research paper. It may, however, be a fairly valuable “jump-off” point to other articles and publications that you might find useful. It should not be cited as a source for your paper. V. Tentative Course Outline/Calendar: Fall Calendar: Monday, August 29 - Classes begin Monday, September 5- Labor day holiday Wednesday, October 19 -Mid-semester Wednesday, October 26 - Last Day to Drop/Withdraw without a WP or WF Wednesday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Holiday begins Monday, December 12 -Finals begin September: 2-Introduction and general overview. Edison’s “Frankenstein”. Class lecture and discussion. 9-Lecture: The Silent-Horror Films of Germany. World War I/Weimar Culture and the films of Paul Leni: Film Viewed- "Waxworks". 16- “The Man Who Laughs” film with powerpoint and lecture. 23- “Hands of Orlac” film with powerpoint and lecture. Topics for paper discussed. 30- First test: The German Films October: 7- Begin second section: The Films of Lon Chaney and the Americans. The "Dark House Mystery" film genre/Film Viewed- "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" 14- "The Unholy Three" film with powerpoint and lecture. 21- "He Who Gets Slapped" film with powerpoint and lecture. Mid-semester. 28- "The Bat" film with powerpoint and lecture. November: 4- Collect tentative research and bibliography and thesis statement for topical paper. 11- Second test: The Films of Lon Chaney and the Americans. 18- Begin 3rd and final section: The Transition From “The Genre That Never Existed to The Horror of the “Talkies”. Film viewed: "Pandora's Box". Surrealism in these films and the influence of Expressionism. 25- Fritz Lang's "M" powerpoint and lecture. December: 2- Third test: The Transition to “Talkies” section. 9- Papers due. Class review of all material in preparation for the final exam. Film clips from the course may be reviewed. 16- Final exam, 8:00 A.M.......SHARP! VI. Readings & Classroom Media: Due to the esoteric and iconic nature of the course, most texts on the subject are of interest to collectors only as list of dates and brief synopsis’. We have an excellent text book for this course. The book is required for the class. It is called "Chronicles of Terror: Silent Screams" by Steve Haberman. Please order your textbook for this class as soon as you possible in order to keep up with the required readings. Any additional reading material shall be prepared as a packet from the instructor in the form of brief handouts (observing and respect to all copyrights). Below are two books that are recommended and are utilized as sources in the class. Students may purchase these as an option: “Horror In Silent Films: A Filmography, 1896-1929” by Roy Kinnard. ISBN#: 0-7864-0751-4 “Uncanny Bodies: The Coming of Sound Film and the Origins of the Horror Genre” by Robert Spadoni ISBN#: 978-0-520-25122-9 There are many books, in and out of print, that the student may find useful on the subject of early silent films. For earlier publications you will find it easier to seek-out books on the subject of silent cinema in general. Since the notion of “silent horror films” is a rather recent development among scholars, most of these films are given coverage in books that cover the entire range of “silent movies”. Class Blog: I have established, for the course, a blog. The blog serves as a valuable resource to view other public domain silent-films that we have mentioned, but not viewed, in class. In addition articles may be posted with further class info. Students are required at various points during the semester to view particular postings to the blog. In addition, the blog serves as a valuable meeting-place for students studying the subject outside of class. In addition, students may be required to research using the internet, the library system, magazine articles etc. as needed (in particular to complete the essay paper). Our class blog is: www.nitratehorrors.blogspot.com VII. Course Evaluations: “Near the conclusion of each semester, students in the School of Art electronically evaluate courses taken within the COFA. As you evaluate this course, please be thoughtful, thorough, and accurate in completing the evaluation. Please know that the COFA faculty is committed to excellence in teaching and continued improvement. Therefore, your response is critical! In the School of Art, the course evaluation process has been simplified and is completed electronically through MySFA. Although the instructor will be able to view the names of students who complete the survey, all ratings and comments are confidential and anonymous, and will not be available to the instructor until after final grades are posted.
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