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UGS 303 Films and Filmmakers of Italy

Prof. Paola Bonifazio

Lectures: T/Th 9:30-11:00 in MEZ 1.306 Film screenings: Monday 6-9 pm in MEZ 1.306 There will be two additional Wednesday and Friday screenings, in CAL 100

Discussion sections: 65500 1100 to 1200p SZB 286 65505 900 to 1000a JES A215A 65510 200 to 300p CAL 22 65515 1200 to 100p CAL 21 65520 100 to 200p CAL 21 65525 1000 to 1100a SZB 434

Course Description This course will consist of a broad and varied sampling of classic Italian films from WWII to the present. We will consider the works that typify major directors and major trends through five decades of filmmaking. I will trace a certain stylistic and thematic development from neorealism to postmodernism, pointing out both the continuity of the tradition and exceptions to it, in an attempt to define the art of Italian film. In the process, we will become more aware how we, as viewers, respond to films in socially and culturally determined ways. Classes will include visual analysis of films. Students will be required to see films at the regularly scheduled viewings (Mondays, with one Wednesday and Friday thrown in) though students can be exempted from the two Wednesday and Friday screenings if they can demonstrate that they have a class conflict for those two screenings.

Readings Bondanella, Peter. Italian Cinema (course packet available at University Coop) Other material on Blackboard (Antonioni, Fellini, Bazin, etc.) GRADED MATERIALS:

THOUGHT PIECES: • There will be 10 short (250-300 words) thought pieces in which students respond on a weekly basis to a film viewed that week. A topic for the piece will be given each week in advance by the professor. You will not be penalized for simple grammatical mistakes or spelling errors in these “thought pieces.” But they are expected to be thoughtful. You will hand these in on Thursdays (some exceptions apply; please see the course schedule for details). Please include your TA’s name on all thought pieces.

QUIZZES: • There will be 10 short in-class quizzes on the films viewed. These quizzes will be given, unannounced, during lecture meetings. You cannot make up a quiz!

MID-TERM EXAM: 2

Short-answer questions on assigned readings and films.

MY VOYAGE TO ITALY: In 1999, directed a documentary titled My Voyage to Italy, which offers his perspective on Italian cinema, from War World II to the 1960s. Similarly to Scorsese’s project, this assignment allows students to write their own history of Italian cinema, focusing on topics of their choice. Students will find background information related to the films assigned for the course and reflect upon how this information expanded their understanding of the course material. Background information may concern individuals involved in film productions—such as directors, stars, or photographers. Students are also encouraged to expand their knowledge on the historical contexts and on other elements, such as music. The assignment is evaluated in two steps: 1) oral presentation 2) written report. Information must be collected from a variety of on-line resources provided to students. You can access the research guide for this course from: http://guides.lib.utexas.edu/subjects/guide.php?subject=ugs303bonifazio or http://wiki.lib.utexas.edu/sig/ See also Handout and Course Schedule for more details on the assignment.

EVERTYTHING BUT THE PAPER: Students conduct the research for a paper except for writing the final draft. At various times, students are required to turn in 1) their choice of topic; 2) an annotated bibliography; 3) an outline; 4) a thesis statement; 5) an introduction and a conclusion. This assignment includes a hands-on classroom with a Librarian in PCL, during scheduled discussion sessions. See Handout and Class Schedule for details.

GRADING: 10% My voyage to Italy written report 5% My voyage to Italy oral presentation (full credit for successful completion) 25% - Research Assignment: ‘Everything but the Paper’ 20% - 10 Quizzes and 10 thought pieces 25% Mid-Term Examination (graded): short answer questions on assigned films and readings 15% - Class Participation, Oral Presentations on Friday sessions, and Friday peer-review edits. Class Participation includes attendance at the September 18th Lecture, required of all signature students. In order to be counted as present and to get credit for participation, you must attend the entire class; you cannot come, take a quiz or hand in a thought piece, and then leave. If you do, you will be counted as absent.

NOTE: There is no final exam.

POLICIES:

Policy on Attendance and Participation: Students are expected: 1. to attend all class meetings with clickers functioning: participation points will be assigned to you primarily by this means. 2. to prepare all reading assignments thoughtfully by the beginning of the week 3. to participate wholeheartedly in all class sessions 3

4. to keep in touch with TAs about illnesses or other matters that may interfere with your coursework

More than 5 absences will automatically lower your final grade after your point total is calculated, unless you can document that all the absences are related to an illness and/or official university event. (NOTE: Absences for both lectures and Friday discussion groups count!) For each additional absence your final grade will be lowered by 1/3 (a B becomes a B-, etc.).

Policy on Blackboard and Electronic Devices We will use the course web site on Blackboard to post assignments and make announcements relating to the course – check the site regularly (at least weekly) for new information. It is your responsibility to maintain a functioning email account linked to Blackboard. Read university policy at: http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify/html All students have the right to learn in a supportive environment: don’t let your use of a laptop or mobile device distract others. Laptops and messaging devices may be used, WITHOUT ANY SOUND, during lectures or class discussions only for note-taking or instructor-directed web- surfing. To record audio or visuals of lectures you must have a written consent from the professor.

Policy on Religious Holy Days Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules. It is the policy of UT-Austin that you must notify each of your instructors at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates you will be absent to observe a religious holy day.

Policy on Special Accommodations. At the beginning of the semester, students who need special accommodations should notify the instructor by presenting a letter prepared by the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office. To ensure that the most appropriate accommodations can be provided, students should contact the SSD Office at 471-6259 or 471- 4641 TTY. Read more at: http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/

Policy on Academic Integrity. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including 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. Read details at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis.php

The General Information Catalog at the University of TX Austin states, "After a grade has been reported to the registrar, it may not be changed unless an error was made by the instructor."

Student Honor Code: ‘As a student of The University of Texas at Austin, I shall abide by the core values of the University and uphold academic integrity.’

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Policy on Class Work You are required to attend class and actively participate in discussions about the reading material. The material assigned for each class corresponds to the date. Make sure you view the films at the assigned screenings and do the reading before class (TAKE NOTES on the films; you are expected to have something to say about them). The clicker questions and quizzes will serve to test your knowledge of the films and assigned readings.

Policy on Writing Your writing matters. It is not enough to have interesting thoughts. In your formal writing assignments, you must express those thoughts in an intelligible, structured, and eloquent prose. Your writing must be your own work. If you plagiarize egregiously on an assignment, you will fail the course. Simple rule of thumb: “If you use words or ideas that are not your own you must cite your sources. Otherwise you will be guilty of plagiarism.” Consult the UT Libraries site on plagiarism: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/plagiarism

If you are concerned about what it means to write a college paper, you can find sound advice in Trimble, Writing with Style (you can easily purchase a second-hand copy of this book). Rhetoric & Composition recommends SF Express by Ruszkiewicz (again, you can easily find a second- hand copy). I will also be putting on Blackboard copies of some sound suggestions written by a colleague of mine in the English Department, Professor Wayne A. Rebhorn, who is a first-rate scholar, teacher, writer, and editor. I hope you will find all his suggestions to be helpful. If you follow them, you are bound to do a good job on your papers.

Grading: assignments and final grades will be converted to letter grades consistent with university policy:

Excellent range: A+ (98-100, A (94-97), A- (90-93) Above average/good range: B+ (88-89), B (84-87), B- (80-83) Average range: C+ (78-79), C (74-77), C- (70-73) Passing: D+ (68-69), D (64-67), D- (60-63) Failing: F (below 60)

Sanger Learning Center and Undergraduate Writing Center: we encourage you enthusiastically to make use of these crucial, free resources that are sure to improve the quality of your class performance and education:

The Sanger Learning Center (http://www.lifelearning.utexas.edu/) provides free individualized assistance with such topics as • time management • reading efficiency • in-class note taking • how to earn better grades … and many others, including choosing writing topics, selecting majors and careers, etc…

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The Undergraduate Writing Center (http://www.uwc.utexas.edu/) offers free, individualized, expert help with writing for any UT undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Any undergraduate enrolled in a course at UT can visit the UWC for assistance with any writing project. The consultants there work with students from every department on campus, for both academic and non-academic writing. Whether you are writing a lab report, a resume, a term paper, a statement for an application, or your own poetry, UWC consultants will be happy to work with you. Their services are not just for writing that has "problems." Getting feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. Consultants help students develop strategies to improve their writing. The assistance they provide is intended to foster independence. Each student determines how to use the consultant's advice. The consultants are trained to help you work on your writing in ways that preserve the integrity of your work. We strongly encourage you to make use of the UWC!!!

Schedule for Film Screenings: ALL FILMS BEGIN AT 6PM, AND SOME WILL LAST PAST 8PM. Monday Screenings will be in MEZ 1.306 Friday and Wednesday Screenings will be in CAL 100

Aug. 30 Friday, SCREENING, Open City Sept. 9 Monday, SCREENING, Bitter Rice Sept. 16 Monday, SCREENING, Bicycle Thief Sept. 23 Monday, SCREENING, Sept. 30 Monday SCREENING, Il posto Oct. 7 Monday, SCREENING, Bellissima Oct. 14 Monday, SCREENING, L’Avventura Oct. 28 Monday, SCREENING, Bread, Love and Fantasy Nov. 4 Monday SCREENING, Nov. 11 Monday, SCREENING, I soliti ignoti Nov. 18 Monday, SCREENING, The Night of the Shooting Stars Nov. 25 Monday, SCREENING, Lamerica Nov. 27 Wednesday, SCREENING, Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (NOT the long version) Dec. 2 Monday, SCREENING, Life is Beautiful

SCHEDULE OF CLASS MEETINGS AND ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES (provisional, subject to change depending on course circumstances)

Aug. 29 Introduction to course. History of Italian Cinema until WWII

UNIT ONE: NEOREALISM

Sept. 3 Discussion: Open City (Rossellini) (Read Bondanella, 61-81; Rossellini, ‘My Method,’ pp.33- 46 on Blackboard) Sept. 5 What is Neorealism? (Read Zavattini and Bazin on Blackboard) (Friday) My Voyage to Italy: selection of topics 6

Sept. 10 Discussion: Bitter Rice (De Santis) (Read Bondanella, 98-112; Vitti on Blackboard) Sept. 12 Women and Neorealism (Read Caldwell on Blackboard) My Voyage to Italy: Conduct individual research during the week, using the links on the course web page.

Sept. 17 Discussion: Bicycle Thief (De Sica) (Read Bondanella, 82-93;) Sept. 19 Italian Films and Rome (Read Rhodes on Blackboard) (Friday) My Voyage to Italy: discuss and assess research

UNIT TWO: THE GREAT AUTEURS

Sept. 24 Discussion: La dolce vita (Fellini) (Read Bondanella, 285-305) Sept. 26 : Major Issues, Ideas, Themes, Images, Types (Read Bondanella, 137-54) My Voyage to Italy: Conduct individual research during the week, using the links on the course web page.

Oct. 1 Discussion: Il posto (Olmi) (Read Bondanella 217-258; Zagarrio on Blackboard)

Oct. 2 (Wednesday) ‘In the Creative Mind,’ University Lecture Series Dean Young, MFA, College of Liberal Arts Tom Staley, PhD, College of Liberal Arts 7:00-8:00pm, in Hogg Auditorium YOU MUST ATTEND THIS LECTURE

Oct. 3 Italian Film and Sound: the Case of Olmi (Read Clodagh on Blackboard) (Friday) My Voyage to Italy: Rehearse presentations; discuss and assess research

Oct. 8 Discussion: Bellissima (Visconti) Oct. 10 and Marxist Aesthetics (Read Bondanella, 93-97, 121-25, 154-56, 259-68) (Friday) My Voyage to Italy: Oral Presentations (I)

Oct. 15 Discussion: L’Avventura (Antonioni) (Read Antonioni and Brunette on Blackboard.) Oct. 17 Antonioni (Read Bondanella, 101-102, 132-37, 268-83) (Friday) My Voyage to Italy: Oral Presentations (II)

Oct. 22 My Voyage to Italy: Submit written reports; Review for Exam Oct. 24 MID-TERM EXAM Everything But the Paper: choice of topic due today Thought Pieces: No assignment due Today

Oct.25 (Friday) Hands-On Library Session in PCL 1.339

UNIT THREE: COMEDY ITALIAN STYLE

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Oct. 29 Discussion: Bread, Love and Fantasy (Comencini) (Read Lanzoni, Chapter 2 and Marcus on Blackboard) Oct. 31 Comedy and Social Criticism (Read Bondanella 180-216)

Nov. 1 (Friday) Visit to BLANTON

You are required to attend the Guided Tours of the Blanton Museum. You will go on Nov.1 (Friday) at one of the following scheduled times: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm. Attendance is mandatory.

Nov. 5 Discussion: Divorce Italian Style (Read Bondanella 188-191; Rhodes on Blackboard) *Guest Speaker: Prof. Daniela Bini, French and Italian Department* Nov. 7 Comedy and the Comic (Read Bergson, Laughter, pp.7-21 (Chapter 1, part I and II), EBL) Everything But the Paper: annotated bibliography and outline are due today Thought Pieces: No assignment due today (Friday) Everything But the Paper: discuss thesis statement

Nov. 12 Discussion: I soliti ignoti (Monicelli) (Read Lanzoni, Chapter 3, on Blackboard) Nov. 14 Comedy and Realism (Read Stam on Blackboard) (Friday) Everything But the Paper: Peer Editing (outline); discuss how to write an introduction and a conclusion

UNIT FOUR: NEOREALISM REVISITED: POSTMODERNISM AND NOSTALGIA

Nov. 20 Discussion: The Night of the Shooting Stars (Taviani) (Read Marcus on Blackboard) Everything But the Paper: thesis statement is due today

Nov. 22 THANKSGIVING

Nov. 27 Discussion: Lamerica (Amelio) (Read Bondanella, 546-48) Nov. 29 Discussion: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (Tornatore) (Read Bondanella, 538-543) (Friday) Everything But the Paper: Peer Editing (thesis statement)

Dec. 3 La vita è bella (Benigni) (Read Bondanella, 533-38) Dec. 5 Concluding Thoughts Thought Pieces: No assignment due Today Everything But the Paper: thesis statement, an outline, an introduction and a conclusion due at the beginning of class

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM – UGS 303 (Films and Filmmakers of Italy), FALL 2013

NAME: ______UT EID:______

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read the syllabus for UGS 303 (Films and Filmmakers of Italy) Fall 2013; I understand the attendance and other guidelines, and assignment due dates described on that syllabus; and I agree to those guidelines and due dates.

I also understand the plagiarism policy set out in the syllabus and agree to abide by it; I understand the statement on the consequences of scholarly dishonesty on the University Dean of Students website (http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis_conseq.php), which reads in part “Grade-related penalties are routinely assessed ("F" in the course is not uncommon), but students can also be suspended or even permanently expelled from the University for scholastic dishonesty. Other potential consequences can be particularly far-reaching, such as the creation of a disciplinary record that may very well impact future opportunities.”

I also agree to use any sound files or other copyrighted materials made available to me through the UGS 303 BlackBoard site only for the purposes of this course; I agree not to distribute such sound files or other copyrighted materials to any individuals not enrolled in the course; and I agree to delete any sound files or other copyrighted materials that I have downloaded from the UGS 303 BlackBoard site at the end of the Fall 2013 semester.

______Signature Date