Final Syllabus HISTORY OF EUROPEAN FILM DIS Fall 2016, European Humanities 3 Credit Course Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:05 – 11:25, Classroom V7-31 Advertisement for Nordisk Films Co., the Danish film production company which was founded November 6, 1906. Nordisk Film is the world's oldest film production company still in existence. History of European Film | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Final Syllabus Instructor: Anne Jespersen Cand.mag. (English Literature, Film History and Theory, University of Copenhagen, 1982.) Editor of the film yearbook "Filmsæsonen" 1985-99. Bookpublisher (Forlaget April) 1985-94. Has translated several books and written film reviews and filmhistorical articles. Assistant Professor at the Department of Film & Media Studies, Copenhagen University. Has frequently lectured at The European Film College in Ebeltoft, at Hamburg Media School and at other universities abroad. With DIS since 1987. Anne Jespersen DIS contacts: European Humanities Assistant Program Director, Karen Louise Grova Søilen European Humanities Program Assistant, Matt Kelley Content: The course offers an introduction to film understanding, the elements of film language, film aesthetics, and film history in general as a basis for an analysis of European cinema. Following an introduction to early European film history, the course will concentrate on Italian Neorealism, Masters of Scandinavian Cinema, French New Wave, Masters of Experiment and Modernism, European Cinema of the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and 2000's. Examples from the American film history will be investigated as comparison. The main emphasis will be on seeing and understanding films and film makers in relation to their historical, literary, and motion picture backgrounds, partly through film examples, partly through reading material. Each class will concentrate on one theme or aspect of film history and will include a related film viewing. The course does not include practical film making - the approach is analytical, aesthetical, and historical. Objectives: By the end of the course, each student will have gained: - A sound knowledge of the history of European cinema in its relation to cultural and social conditions and general film history - An understanding of the basic facts and methods of film analysis - The ability to produce an academic research paper demonstrating a skill to interpret and discuss the history of European film History of European Film | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Final Syllabus Method The course will include lectures, discussions of films and required readings, and film viewings. Each class will concentrate on one theme or aspect of European cinema and will include a related film viewing. The films are in English or with English subtitles. Academic Procedures and Regulations Please, see the Academic Rules on DIS Forum. Attendance Policy Attendance at all scheduled classes is required, and each student is responsible for all material covered or assigned in class. All papers and exams must be completed in order to pass the course. Included in the computation of the final grade in the course is participation. Participation extends to all class sessions, film viewings, as well as activity in class discussion and a general contribution to the progress of the class. If you miss two classes, the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. Laptop Computer Policy While most students find that taking notes by hand in class is quite sufficient for review purposes, you are allowed to use a computer in class for writing lecture/discussion notes. However, you are asked not to use your computer in class to write emails, connect to social media, surf the internet or other such activities as this is quite disrespectful and distracting for both the teacher and your fellow students. Failure to show this courtesy will result in a reduction of your participation grade. Reading List: - Gerald Mast: A Short History of the Movies. 11th ed. Macmillan, New York & Toronto, 2011. - Articles uploaded on Canvas - Pauline Kael on The Best Film Ever Made (Citizen Kane), New York & London 1971/2002. Grades & Evaluation The grades used by DIS instructors are as follows: A = Excellent = 4 B = Well above average = 3 C = Average = 2 D = Below average but passing = 1 P = Pass F = Failure or failure to complete = 0 I = Incomplete (only issued in place of final course grade if an agreement exists for completion by a definite deadline which is approved by the instructor and the DIS registrar). Plus (+) and minus (-) grades are used for examinations and home assignments as well as for final grades. For purposes of calculating grade points and averages, the "+" is equal to .3 and the "-" is equal to minus .3. History of European Film | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Final Syllabus Evaluation: Short Paper 15 % Midterm 30 % In-class test 15 % Research paper (incl. synopsis) 25 % Class Participation 15 % Short Paper The topic for the Short Paper will be given on Sep. 23 and the answer - an essay of 2-3 pages - must be handed in on Oct. 7. Midterm The test consists of questions of relatively simple facts (like: Who made this or that film?), questions of more complex character (like: mention the characteristics of this or that director), and questions to be answered with a short essay (like: Comment on the typical trends in modern Bulgarian cinema and their relation to the country's recent history). The answers will be weighted differently. Topics included in the Midterm are all class material up to and including the day of the Midterm. The Midterm is a one-hour test and will take place in class on October 25. In-class test The test will have questions of relatively simple facts, as well as questions of more complex character. Topics included in the test are all class material since the midterm and up to and including the day of the test. The test is a 30 minute test and will take place in class on December 2. Research Paper Synopsis On November 15, you are to hand in a synopsis of your Research Paper. The synopsis should give the topic of your paper, the issue/question/problem you wish to investigate/discuss, a detailed outline, and the sources you intend to use. When grading the research paper, the synopsis will be considered. History of European Film | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Final Syllabus Research Paper The topics for the research paper are decided by the student and the instructor together. Normally, it would be on (or relate to) subjects and films dealt with in the course. It is possible to write about other topics by agreement with the instructor. Suggested structure of your paper: 1. Table of contents. 2. Introduction: Presentation of the subject to be investigated. An overview of the contents. A comment on the methodology. 3. Description: Summaries, observations, references. 4. Analysis: Comments, discussions, comparisons. 5. Summary and conclusion. 6. Notes & Bibliography. The paper should be based on the required reading, the additional reading found in the DIS library and/or the Danish Film Institute Library, the films seen in class, the class lectures and discussions. In the Introduction and Description, the factual material is presented. The main emphasis, though, should be on the analysis - that is: your personal discussion of the material. It is necessary to present the substance of the topic through paraphrasing and quotations (remember, always to footnote sources of direct quotations), but it is not sufficient only to paraphrase. The analysis of the material - your personal understanding and interpretation - is the important part of the paper. The paper should normally include a relatively detailed analysis of one of the films you have seen within the subject. Length: Appr. 12 type written pages, or appr. 3600 words. You can choose between two deadlines for the handing in of the Research Paper: 1) no later than November 29 (in class), and the paper will be returned to you before the Final exams. 2) no later than December 6 (in class), and the paper will not be returned to you before the Final exams. History of European Film | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Final Syllabus Film Viewings Please note that it is mandatory to watch each film before the relevant class. Below you will find a schedule of film viewings that allows you the opportunity to view the films together as a class. If, for some reason, you are unable to attend a viewing or would like to see a particular film again, it will be available on reserve in the Library. Keep in mind that these films act as the texts of this course and it is therefore just as necessary to watch each film attentively (i.e. take notes) before the class sessions in which it will be discussed. Films will be screened twice on Mondays and Thursdays at 4 - 6 pm – in DIS cinema, Vestergade 23 and 6 - 8 pm in Room F24-306 Viewing Dates: Film: Monday, August 29 Ingeborg Holm Thursday, September 1 In a Better World Monday, September 5 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari + Un Chien Andalou Wednesday, September 21 Melancholia (Screened at Husets Biograf at 7 pm) Monday, September 26 The Battleship Potemkin Thursday, September 29 The Crowd Thursday, October 6 The Grand Illusion Monday, October 17 Citizen Kane Thursday, October 20 Bicycle Thieves Monday, October 24 The Third Man Thursday, October 27 Sunset Blvd. Monday, November 7 The Seventh Seal Monday, November 14 The 400 Blows Thursday, November 17 Belle de Jour Monday, November 21 Dr. Strangelove Monday, November 28 Europa Thursday, December 1 Dekalog 1 Monday, December 5 The Celebration/Festen The Danish Film Institute Library is located in the Film House, “Filmhuset”, Gothersgade 55 (close to Nørreport Station).