FS 102 Suzanne Prestien Fall 2015 TC 404, ext. 7029 TR 9:20-10:50 Office hours: MWF 10:30- 11:45, R 12:30-1:30, MC219 and by appointment The History of Film Course Description This course is designed to help you develop a greater comprehension of the historical evolution of cinema in America. Films change over time; they have a history, just as we do, just as our culture does. Visual structure, acting styles, storyline, the way films look— all seem different now than ten or a hundred years ago. Understanding film history should help you to understand the conventions of film form and content.

We will examine these films in their cultural contexts, so that we can look for significant meaning. In addition, we will analyze these films as artistic artifacts, so that we may see the achievements they represent.

Films have been chosen for this course based on the following criteria:  They have contributed to the evolution of cinema, either as an art form or as an industry, or they are emblematic of that evolution.  They will not be regularly required for other Film Studies courses (thus the omission of works such as Citizen Kane and Casablanca).  They are films made by Americans. (Unfortunately, we don’t have enough time to watch both an American film and an international film for each decade. We will watch clips from foreign films.)  They clearly convey a point of view connected to a specific time and place.

Finally, this course allows students to enjoy what may be an irretrievable pleasure: seeing some of the greatest films of all time for the first time. As film critic Roger Ebert said, “When I meet someone who has never seen The Third Man or Singin’ in the Rain, I envy them the experience they are about to have.” Lucky you. In this class, you will have that experience, most likely over and over again.

Course Goals Students in this course will: ADD

Course Requirements Students will do the following:  Attend every class. Discussion is critical to the understanding of film and therefore, to this course. Therefore, anyone who misses more than 3 classes will lose a letter grade.  Come to class prepared. Meaningful discussion cannot occur if you have not done the reading or watched the films. In addition to discussion, preparation will be monitored through quizzes.  Participate in discussion. Silence and apathy will negatively affect your grade.  Take a midterm and final exams.  Write brief response papers to designated films and one research paper.  Give a presentation during the final period in conjunction with the research paper.

Required Text Flashback, Giannetti & Eyman, 6th ed.

Academic Integrity Turning in someone else’s work—whether it is from a published text or a roommate’s research paper—as your own constitutes plagiarism and will be punished according to the rules laid out in the Student Handbook.

Grade Breakdown Research paper/ presentation 30% Response papers 25% Quizzes 20% Exams 25%

Course Schedule* 9/1-3 Intro to course; Vision of Light (1993) 9/8-9/10 Chs. 1&2; Gold Rush (1925)—response paper 9/15-9/17 Chs. 3&4; quiz 1 9/22-9/24 Ch. 5; It Happened One Night (1934) 9/29-10/1 Chs. 6&7; quiz 2 10/6-10/8 Ch. 8; Maltese Falcon (1941)—response paper 10/13-10/15 Ch. 9; midterm exam 10/20-10/22 Chs. 10&11; Singin’ In the Rain (1952) 10/29 Chs. 12&13; quiz 3 11/3-11/5 The Graduate (1967)—response paper 11/10-11/12 Chs. 14&15; quiz 4 11/17-11/19 Chs. 16&17; Aliens (1986) 11/24 Unforgiven (1992)—response paper 12/1-12/3 Chs. 18&19; quiz 5 12/8-12/10 Final presentations/research papers

*This schedule is subject to change at the professor’s discretion, so stay tuned.