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COURSE SYLLABUS Term: 20151 (Fall 2015) ARTS 496 A: Violence and Genre in the Films of Quentin Tarantino Instructor Information: Instructor Name Prof. Benjamin Creech Office Number: 181 Phone Number: N/A Email: [email protected] Hours Available: • MTWHF – 7:30am-8:30am • MTWH – 5:00pm-6:00pm Instructor Background: I received my Bachelors Degree in Humanities from the University of Louisville, in KY. I then moved up here, to get my Master’s degree at the University of Chicago, also in Humanities. Both of my degrees have featured work specializing in film studies, which is my primary field of expertise, though I’ve taught classes in Math, French, English and Humanities before this one. I intend to return to school to get my PhD in film studies, and become an expert in my field. Course Information: Course Time: MTWHF – 8:30am to 5:00pm, with breaks Classroom: TBA Prerequisites: None Required Books • You need to come to class every day with a notebook and writing and Materials: utensil. Learning Outcomes/ Competencies: • Students should be able to identify and apply key terminology used to discuss film and film images. • Students should be able to recognize and interpret stylistic similarities and differences between texts and images. • Students should be able to analyze and evaluate texts and images in their cultural, authorial, and generic contexts. • Students should be able to develop arguments about stylistic depictions of violence in order to explore the complexity of representation in film • Students should be able to practice watching films with greater sensitivity and insight by developing media literacy • Students should be able to recognize and analyze the concepts, signs, and practices associated with “genre” 2400 NEW YORK AVE. WHITING, IN 46394 TEL. 219-473-7770 773-721-0202 FAX 219-473-4259 Course Description: This course is designed for students with little to no experience in film studies. It provides an introductory examination of the methods of watching and writing about film style, technique, and narrative by looking at the works of director Quentin Tarantino. In particular, it will examine the role that violence and genre play in his body of work. Our goal is to understand the different ways violence is used to construct or deconstruct genre, and the ways genre and the context genre provides reinforce or diminish an ethos of violence. We will also develop an understanding of how images and image compositions uniquely convey these concepts. The course will use mini-lectures, film screenings, discussion groups, video essays, and planned and spontaneous discussion. For this course, we will watch Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, in addition to excerpts from other works. Learning Strategies: Mini-lectures, film screenings, discussion groups, video essays, planned and spontaneous discussion. Experiential Learning Opportunities: Linked Classes: N/A Grading Scale: Grade Points A 100-93 A- 92-90 B+ 89-87 B 86-83 B- 82-80 C+ 79-77 C 76-73 C- 72-70 D+ 69-67 D 66-63 D- 62-60 F 59 and below Assessments: Major • Worksheets 2 points each/5 total Assignments: • Response Papers 4 points each/5 total • Final Exam 20 points Class Participation • Organized Discussions/Group 5 points each/10 total Activities Total: 100 points in the class Signature This General Education class will help you Assignments prepare for CCSJ's Signature Assignments, a common written and oral assignment that students complete in Introduction to Social Justice as freshmen, Religious Studies as 2 sophomores, and Philosophy as juniors. Signature Assignments are assessed for written communications, oral communications, and critical thinking. You must meet required scores in Religious Studies to move ahead to Philosophy, and in Philosophy to complete your General Education program. Course Schedule: Class Date Film DailY Plan Monday, Dec. 14 Pulp Fiction Syllabus Intro to Quentin Tarantino How to Watch Films Basic Definitions Gangster Films Discussions -1: Reservoir Dogs -2: Pawn Shop Basement Tuesday, Dec. 15 Kill Bill, Vol. 1 Violence as a Mechanism of Justice What is Revenge? Kung Fu Films Violence as a Genre Excessive Violence Discussions Wednesday, Dec. 16 Kill Bill, Vol. 2 Minimalism vs Excess Violence as a Mechanism of Injustice Justice without Violence? Western Films Honor and Nobility vs Justice Film Style and Spectacle Discussions Thursday, Dec. 17 Inglourious Basterds Intro to Spectacle (cont.) Violence as Mechanism of History What are Holocaust Films? Film and Violence Propaganda/War Films Violence and Patriotism Discussions Friday, Dec. 18 Django Unchained Systems of Violence Violence as Mechanism of Revolt Violence Produces Subjecthood The Limits of the Body 3 Slavery as Physical Violence Southern vs Western Cowboy vs Slave Discussions I reserve the right to change this schedule to meet the needs of the class. Responsibilities: Attending Class You cannot succeed in this class if you do not attend. We believe that intellectual growth and success in higher education occur through interaction in the classroom and laboratories. However, we do not want to penalize students for participating in college-sponsored events. When you miss class because of a college event, you must give notice of your absence in advance, and you are responsible for all missed work. Being absent doesn’t excuse you from doing class work; you have more responsibilities to keep up and meet the objectives of this course. Turning In Your You cannot succeed in this class if you do not turn in all your work on the Work day it is due. P.S.: Please note that students with documented disabilities who need alternative testing or other arrangements WILL BE ACCOMMODATED . Using Electronic Cell phones are not permitted whatsoever. You have two options – I will Devices gather cell phones at the beginning of class if you do not think you can avoid the distraction, or you can put your phone in your bag, only to be taken out during breaks. If you choose to keep it, you will have one warning before you are kicked out of the class for the day. If you know you might need your phone, you must clear it with me before the beginning of class. Classroom Decorum Please be considerate and respectful at all times. Disruptive behavior (such as interrupting, talking out of turn, exiting and re-entering the room while class is in session, texting, or sleeping) will not be tolerated! I reserve the right to ask a disruptive student to leave for the day and to mark him or her absent for the day. Students who persist in disruptive behavior will lose their right to earn points for class participation and will, if necessary, be dropped from the course. Participating in Class Please see page 3, Assessments. Doing Your Own If you turn in work that is not your own, you are subject to judicial Work review, and these procedures can be found in the College Catalog and the Student Planner. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. Using standard citation guidelines, such as MLA or APA format, to document sources avoids plagiarism. The Library has reference copies of 4 each of these manuals, and there are brief checklists in your Student Handbook and Planner. PLEASE NOTE: All papers may be electronically checked for plagiarism. Withdrawing from After the last day established for class changes has passed (see the Class College calendar), you may withdraw from a course by following the policy outlined in the CCSJ Course Catalog. Resources: Student Success The Student Success Center provides faculty tutors at all levels to help Center: you master specific subjects and develop effective learning skills. It is open to all students at no charge. You can contact the Student Success Center at 219 473-4287 or stop by the Library. DisabilitY Services: Disability Services strives to meet the needs of all students by providing academic services in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. If you believe that you need a “reasonable accommodation” because of a disability, contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 219-473-4349. CCSJ Alerts: Calumet College of St. Joseph’s emergency communications system will tell you about emergencies, weather-related closings, or other incidents via text, email, or voice messages. Please sign up for this important service annually on the College’s website at: http://www.ccsj.edu/alerts/index.html. In addition, you can check other media for important information, such as school closings: Internet: http://www.ccsj.edu Radio: WAKE – 1500 AM, WGN – 720 AM, WIJE – 105.5 FM, WLS – 890 AM, WZVN – 107.1 FM, WBBM NEWS RADIO 78 TV Channels: 2, 5, 7, 9, 32 5 .
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