SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY COMM 1325-W01 INTRODUCTION TO FILM STUDIES
Marjorie Scott, Assistant Professor Theatre Comm 1325 Intro to Film Studies and Communication Summer I 2020 Chair, Dept. of Fine Arts and Communication Web-delivered Phone: 432-294-4449 E-mail: [email protected] Office hours by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class provides an introduction to the basic tools of film analysis. We will examine how the formal elements work together to create meaning in a range of films. We will also examine how these elements are put together in different types of films – narratives, documentaries and experimental cinema – and how films function in society to circulate ideas and ideologies. This course is designed to provide you with the skills to analyze film aesthetics, as well as an understanding of the tremendously important role films play in our culture.
We’ll view 10 films over the course of the term, in addition to selected clips from several other films. The selection of the 10 films was made using the following criteria:
1) Does the film have theme beyond the entertainment value of the story? 2) Is the film recognized within the canon of film criticism as defining in its particular genre? 3) Does the film have a particular strength or element suited to a lecture topic in this class?
Analyzing a film is an acquired skill and it takes time and effort to develop the ability to “see” the many layers in good cinema. This course is an attempt to broaden both the idea of what a film can be and your own personal tastes.
PREREQUISITES None.
TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS Normally, I require Louis Gianetti’s Understanding Movies, Pearson; 13th edition (July 6, 2013), but instead I will provide you with selected chapters posted to Blackboard. As for the films, you need to pay for the rental views for those. All films on this list are available for rent on Amazon Prime or iTunes. You may also find some of them for free on YouTube. But please try to find the best quality version you can.
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PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES This course is designed to meet one or more of the program learning outcomes applied to all Communication majors. The graduating student will demonstrate: 1. Competency in public presentations, including the use of presentation technology such as presentation software, video, and audio. 2. The ability to analyze communication content for argument, including identification of major elements, such as claims, warrants, data, etc. 3. Competency in appropriate discipline specific written communication. 4. The ability to apply communication theory to the analysis of communication situations appropriate to each degree specialization. 5. Competency in the application of media technology including video, audio, and internet-based technology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES By the end of this class, students will: • Demonstrate a working vocabulary of film criticism terminology. • Articulate the formal elements of cinema. • Evaluate and critique cinematic works from the standpoints of both art and craft. • Recognize and define elements that belong to various cinema styles (formalist, realist, etc.). • Synthesize the elements of cinema critique into a clear, thoughtful point-of-view in written form.
SCREENINGS
When I teach this class face-to-face, I host screenings for the class on campus. The screen is big, the sound is good, and it’s a collective experience. As this is a web-delivered course, you’ll need to view the films on your own. Please do yourself a solid and watch the films on the largest screen available to you. And if you’ve already seen one or more of the films on this list, watch them again. Any films you’ve seen previously I guarantee you’ll see quite differently this time around.
RESPONSES
Written responses to the questions pertaining to each film are due via email no later than 10 p.m. on the due date. Responses must answer all questions and sent to the following email address: [email protected].
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CLASS DATES: Assignments and Deadlines Note that the dates and details of each class are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
DATE TOPIC READING DUE/ACTIVITY May 20 Review syllabus
May 21 Defining the formal qualities of film Giannetti, Ch. 1: Photography
May 22 View: Working Girl Giannetti, Ch. 2: Mise En Scène (Dir. Mike Nichols, USA, 1988) 116 minutes
May 25 MEMORIAL DAY Be safe. Have fun.
May 26 Working Girl responses due by 10 pm CST
May 27 Set-up: Trainspotting Corrigan & White, Ch. 3: Let’s talk about formalism “Framing What We See: View clips on Blackboard Cinematography”
May 28 View: Trainspotting (Dir. Danny Boyle, UK 1996) 94 minutes
May 29 Take the day to mentally and emotionally process Trainspotting. June 1 Trainspotting responses due by 10 pm CST
June 2 Setup: The Battle of Algiers Let’s talk about realism
June 3 View: The Battle of Algiers (Dir. Gillo Pontecorvo, Italy 1967) 121 minutes June 4 The Battle of Algiers responses due by 10 pm CST
June 5 Setup: Hoop Dreams Corrigan & White, Ch. 7: View Hoop Dreams (Dir. Steve James, USA 1994) 170 “Representing the Real: minutes Documentary Films” (Handout) June 8 Hoop Dreams responses due by 10 pm CST
June 9 Setup: The Conversation (Watergate scandal, Giannetti: Chapter 5: Sound wiretapping, etc.) June 10 View The Conversation (Dir. Francis Ford Coppola, USA 1974) 113 minutes
June 11 The Conversation responses due by 10 pm CST
June 12 Setup: The Big Short Giannetti, Ch. 4: Editing View The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (Dir. Wendy Apple) View: The Big Short (Dir. Adam McKay, USA2015) 130 minutes COMM 1325: Intro to Film Studies• 5/21/20 • Page 4 of 5
June 15 Setup: Seven Samurai (Films in Historical Context) Corrigan & White, Ch. 12, “Writing a Film Essay: Observations, Arguments, Research and Analysis” June 16 View: Seven Samurai (Dir. Akira Kurosawa, Japan 1954) 207 minutes June 17 Seven Samurai responses due by 10 pm CST
June 18 Setup: Let the Right One In (Horror) Corrigan & White, Ch. 9: “Rituals, Conventions, Archetypes, and Formulas: Movie Genres” June 19 View: Let the Right One In (Dir. Tomas Alfredson, Sweden 2009) 115 minutes June 22 Let the Right One In responses due by 10 pm CST
June 23 Setup: The Godfather Giannetti, Ch. 8: Story
June 24 View: The Godfather (Dir. Francis Ford Coppola, USA 1972) 175 minutes
June 25 The Godfather responses due by 10 pm CST
June 26 FINAL – PAPER DUE by 11:59 pm CST
GRADING Assignments are valued as follows: 1) Weekly Written Responses 40% 2) Class Discussions 30% 3) Final Paper 30%
Grading Criteria: A = Exceptional. Demonstrates mastery of material beyond expectation. Professional quality of work. Highest level of scholarship. B = Above average. Demonstrates mastery of material. Work is of better-than-expected quality, but not quite professional. High level of scholarship. C = Average. Demonstrates proficiency with material. Work is of amateur quality. Ordinary level of scholarship. D = Below Average. Less than proficient with material. Work shows errors, careless mistakes, or is just plain wrong. Poor scholarship F – Failure. Material incomplete. Work grossly negligent or incomplete. No evidence of scholarship present.
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LATE WORK Deadlines are an inescapable part of responsible, professional, adult life. Please do your best to manage your time appropriately and if you experience difficulty meeting your deadlines, contact me as soon as possible.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Sul Ross State University (SRSU) is committed to equal access in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973. It is SRSU policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. It is the Student’s responsibility to initiate a request. Please contact me, Ms. Rebecca Greathouse Wren, M.Ed., LPC-S, Director/Counselor, Accessibility Services Coordinator, Ferguson Hall (Suite 112) at 432.837.8203; mailing address is P.O. Box C-122, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas 79832. Students should then contact the instructor as soon as possible to initiate the recommended accommodations.