Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 Course Title: Film as an International Art Form Subject Area/Course Number: Drama 70 New Course OR Existing Course Author(s): Josephine A. Perry and Nick Garcia Subject Area/Course No.: DRAMA-070 Units: 3 Course Title: Film as an International Art Form Discipline(s): Drama/Theater Arts, Film Studies Pre-Requisite(s): None Co-Requisite(s): None Advisories: Eligibility for English 100 Catalog Description: DRAMA-070 is a critical approach to the study of film that integrates both the technical elements of filmmaking with aesthetic and thematic elements through the exploration of various genres which may include but are not limited to suspense and mystery, science fiction/fantasy, survival and adventure, romance and comedies and/or Westerns. The th class encompasses films from the early 20 century through the present time and may include films from the Americas, Europe, Australia and/or Asia as it explores the cultural and artistic concerns of a variety of cultures as reflected in motion pictures. Related disciplines such as editing, music scoring, screenwriting, acting for the camera are also discussed in relationship to the films being studied. Schedule Description: Film is a universal language that can unite us as human beings and help us to better understand and appreciate our similarities and our differences. Take an enlightening journey through film by studying various genres of film (i.e. suspense, science fiction/ fantasy, survival and adventure, romance and comedies, Westerns and other genres) from th the early 20 century up to the present time. Learn the various aesthetic elements of filmmaking as well as studying thematic sociological, political and historical links to the films we view. You will never look at films the same way again after taking this course. Hrs/Mode of Instruction: Lecture: _36___ Scheduled Lab: _54___ HBA Lab: ____ Composition: ____ Activity: ____ Total Hours _90___ Credit Credit Degree Applicable (DA) Grading Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Repeatability 0 Credit Non-Degree (NDA) Letter (LR) 1 Student Choice (SC) 2 3 Last date of Assessment: _____FA11__________ Cohort #: _4____ Please apply for: LMC General Education Requirement(s): Arts& Humanities Transfer to: CSU UC IGETC Area ____ CSU GE Area____ C-ID Number ______ Course is Baccalaureate Level: Yes No Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 1 of 15 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 Course Title: Film as an International Art Form Subject Area/Course Number: Drama 70 Signatures: Department Chair Date Librarian Date Dean (Technical Review) Date Curriculum Committee Chair Date President/Designee Date CCCCD Approval Date (Board or Chancellor's Office) Date STAND ALONE COURSE: YES NO Course approved by Curriculum Committee as Baccalaureate Level: YES NO LMC GE Requirement Approved by the Curriculum Committee: _________________ FOR OFFICE OF INSTRUCTION ONLY. DO NOT WRITE IN THE SECTION BELOW. Begin in Semester ______________ Catalog year 20____/20_____ Class Max: ________________ Dept. Code/Name:_______________ T.O.P.s Code: _____________ Crossover course 1/ 2: _____________ ESL Class: ____Yes / No________ DSPS Class: _Yes / No_____ Coop Work Exp: ___Yes / No_____ Class Code A Liberal Arts & Sciences SAM Code A Apprenticeship Remediation Level B Basic Skills B Developmental Preparatory B Advanced Occupational NBS Not Basic Skills C Adult/Secondary Basic Education C Clearly Occupational D Personal Development/Survival D Possibly Occupational E For Substantially Handicapped E* Non-Occupational F Parenting/Family Support G Community/Civic Development *Additional criteria needed H General and Cultural 1 One level below transfer I Career/Technical Education 2 Two levels below transfer J Workforce Preparation Enhanced 3 Three levels below transfer K Other non-credit enhanced Not eligible for enhanced Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 2 of 15 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 Course Title: Film as an International Art Form Subject Area/Course Number: Drama 70 Institutional Student Learning Outcomes: General Education SLOs: At the completion of the LMC general education program, a student will: 1. read critically and communicate effectively as a writer and speaker. 2. understand connections among disciplines and apply interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. 3. think critically and creatively 4. consider the ethical implications inherent in knowledge, decision-making and action. 5. possess a worldview informed by diverse social, multicultural and global perspectives. None Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs): 1. To analyze, dissect, and critically evaluate a script or theatrical event or film with working knowledge of its historical, cultural, and societal origins and contexts. 2. To use strongly developed physical, vocal, and emotional foundations to build a personalized acting process for approaching a text or character in order to effectively communicate on stage or in film. 3. To understand how and be able to write, produce, direct, manage, promote, and star in a theatrical event or film. 4. To be academically and fundamentally prepared to enter the entertainment industry or transfer to a 4-year theatre or film program with an advanced standing. Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs): CSLO1: Critique international films orally and in writing by evaluating the aesthetic/artistic, thematic, social, political, and historical elements of a variety of films in various genres. (PSLO 1, 3) (GESLO 1, 2) CSLO2: Read and think critically and creatively about the political, ethical and moral values of a film’s characters, plot, themes, and physical settings as well as the ethical and moral values of the filmmaker which are reflected in his or her films. (PSLO 1, 3) (GESLO 1, 3, 4) CSLO3: Apply a worldview informed by diverse social, multicultural and global perspectives based on film analysis from significant historical periods, various social movements and/or a variety of geographic areas throughout the world (PSLO 1, 3) (GESLO 5) Assessment Instruments: CSLO 1, 2, 3 Study Questions: Study questions are questions that are in response to both film viewings and related reading assignments. They cover interdisciplinary, ethical and cultural issues while asking the students to read and write critically and think creatively. For example, early in the course students are introduced to the term “film noir” by being assigned short readings and are then asked the following study questions. 1. Give examples of at least two German directors of the 1920’s whose style was a major influence on American film noir. Explain specifically in what aspect of filmmaking their own work was an influence. (hint: Lang’s use of camera angles) 2. What does the actual term “film noir” mean when translated into English? Who created the term and why did they create it? 3. What are the specific characteristics of classic "film noir"? Form Revised 5-18-2016 Page 3 of 15 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 Course Title: Film as an International Art Form Subject Area/Course Number: Drama 70 4. What is considered the classic period of film noir in America and why? What was historically going on in America during that time period? 5. What does the term “film gris” mean and what cultural and ethical perspectives does it reflect? 6. What does the term "film policier" mean and what sociological and ethical perspectives does it reflect? 7. What proof do the French give that American film noir was not the original source of noir? Why do you think they believe as they do and do you agree with them? 8. Create a film noir scene which has at least 3 elements of classic film noir. Make sure your scene combines both narrative and dialogue. 9. Fritz Lang, the great German director and one of the first people to create a film noir stylistically, was driven from Nazi Germany because of the film M, a noir based on a real life serial killer. In what way did Lang attempt to uphold his own ethical viewpoint through his films and what was at risk by his doing so? Writing Assignments: Multiple and varied writing assignments over the course of the semester ask students to summarize, analyze and synthesize from a variety of sources such as critical essays, critical reviews of films, and the actual films themselves. These writing assignments cover interdisciplinary, ethical and cultural issues while asking students to read and write critically and think creatively. For example, in the survival film “Into the Wild”, based on Jon Krakaur’s book about Chris McCandless’ journey into the wilds of Alaska, the following is a sample assignment: Sample Writing Assignment: After viewing the film “Into the Wild”, write a 2 page analysis using specific examples such as individual scenes or conversations between characters which deal with at least two of the following: ethical, cultural, social and/or political aspects of the struggles of Chris McCandless. Essay Assignments: In this course there are a minimum of two 3-5 page essays asking students to reflect upon the films they have viewed and critically and creatively analyze the interdisciplinary cultural and ethical aspects of the films. Sample Essay Assignment: View Dersu Uzala, a classic survival film. Then write a 3-5 page essay in which you prove either of these statements: (Note: You should watch the film with the central statements below in mind and take notes AS YOU WATCH the film, jotting down scenes you think you can use as examples. If you find 3-4 powerful visual examples of your chosen thesis along with examples from the action or plot that should be sufficient.) Akira Kurosawa in his film Dersu Uzala is making a statement about the ways in which human beings fail to see the value and power in nature and fail to value those people who may best represent it in its purest form.