Sirvent/ FREN 4070 (Film), p. 1/7 FREN 4070 : FRENCH CULTURE & LITERATURE THROUGH FILM SPRING 2013 Department of World Languages & Literatures Dr. Michel SIRVENT Bureau : Language Building 405J Courriel: [email protected] http://www.forl.unt.edu/~sirvent/ Cours : mercredi 8:00-10:50, Salle LB 109 Heures de bureau : mardi 4:00-5:00 et/ou mercredi 11:00-12:00 et sur rendez-vous PREREQUISITES : YOU MUST HAVE TAKEN FRENCH 3040 OR 3050 (OR ABOVE) TO BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THIS CLASS. COURSE DESCRIPTION REQUIRED TEXT JEANCOLAS, Jean-Pierre, Histoire du cinéma français, 3è édition, Armand Colin, 2012 ISBN: 978-2-2000-27159-6 REQUIRED FILM SUBSCRIPTION Criterion collection. http://www.hulu.com = $7.99/month. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. FRENCH FILM OVERVIEW The course seeks to develop an appreciation of the rich French tradition of filmmaking. The emphasis will be on how each selected film contributes to the development of a national tradition and/or reflects important issues in French culture. The film selection is as diverse as possible. It includes classic as well as current productions, avant- garde or experimental films from the 1960’s as well as more entertaining and current releases. Regarding film classics, the emphasis will be on the French Nouvelle Vague of the 1950-60s : Jean-Luc GODARD and François TRUFFAUT. The film selection will also present new trends in current French cinema with films by Olivier DAHAN, Anne FONTAINE, Agnès JAOUI, and Cédric KLAPISCH. 2. LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Specific language acquisition related to film analysis and the art of filmmaking will be a component of this course. Specific vocabulary exercises/written questions will introduce to language acquisition. This new vocabulary will be used in context in your final term paper. Meanwhile, oral and written proficiency will be developed and tested through various activities: class and group discussion, weekly written questions on films, and two questionnaires on reading assignments. 3. HISTORY AND CULTURE The course will include films involving various aspects of French culture, history and art: from the 17th-century art (Le Roi danse) to the French Revolution (Danton), WW1 and WW2 (Joyeux Noël, Le Dernier métro), fashion (Coco Chanel), popular music (Edith Piaf), art (Camille Claudel), and contemporary France (Le goût des autres, L'Auberge espagnole). Specific reading assignments with two related questionnaires will introduce to a survey of French cinema (Histoire du cinéma français). Sirvent/ FREN 4070 (Film), p. 2/7 GRADING 10% Attendance; film viewing 10% Participation to class discussions; oral answers to weekly questions on films 30% Written answers on films to be turned in every week 15% Two on-line questionnaires and one vocabulary exercise 15% One in-class Exam 20% One final term paper GRADE DISTRIBUTION 100-90 = A 89-80 = B 79-70 = C 69-60 = D Below 60 = F ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance is mandatory and active class participation is essential to succeed in this class. Classes start at 8:00 AM sharp. Don't be tardy as : - it is very disruptive to the class to come late; - you will miss important instructions regarding class organization and updates. Since it is a weekly class, missing more than one class will affect your final grade by at least 10%. Missed work or classes may be excused with a documented, university-sanctioned proof of emergency only. If absence is excused, your may turn in homework at the next class meeting to avoid an F. Unless excused as stated above, late work will not be accepted. If you have to miss class, do not call the main office, contact your professor via e-mail. WRITTEN ANSWERS ON FILMS TO BE TURNED IN EVERY WEEK Every week, you have to type your written answers to questions on film seen previous week (week A). week A : Film viewing in class; handouts with vocabulary and questions on film will be posted on Blackboard each week before class. Download, print and read these handouts before viewing the film. Have the questions in mind while viewing the film. week B : Questions on film viewed on week A will be turned in on week B. This homework must be typed. Handwritten answers will not be accepted. These same questions will be answered orally in class (when time allows). • Following your written answers, you will also write one question for class discussion. This question is about the film seen the week before. Anyone can be asked to read his/her question for class discussion. Your question should be on a controversial or debatable issue regarding - French culture, literature or history or - filmmaking technique or - the history of French cinema. This question must be typed and included at the end of your written answers. Sirvent/ FREN 4070 (Film), p. 3/7 TWO ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRES They will be based on reading assignments on Histoire du cinéma français (required text). They will be first turned in according to the calendar below. Start your reading assignment 3 weeks before the deadline. ONE IN-CLASS EXAM (April 3rd) The exam will include : - a vocabulary exercise on film based on weekly film handouts and specific vocabulary exercises previously done in class (all available on Blackboard). - a selection of written questions from weekly handouts on films. ONE FINAL TERM PAPER TOPIC: any topic (preferrably controversial) related either to - filmmaking or - the history of French cinema or - French culture/literature or - French history Any of these above topics must be directly related to one of the following selections which include films from the Hulu Plus Criterion collection : Sélection 1 : Classiques du cinéma français : La Règle du Jeu (The Rules of the Game) ; Les Enfants du paradis (Children of Paradise) Sélection 2 : Classiques du cinéma policier français : Diabolique ; Plein soleil (Purple Noon); L'Assassin habite au 21 ; Confidentially yours Sélection 3 : La Nouvelle vague : Les quatre cents coups (400 Blows) ; A bout de souffle ; Pickpocket Sélection 4 : Trois films de Jean-Luc Godard : Masculin Féminin ; Vivre sa vie ; Weekend Sélection 5 : Trois films d'Agnès Varda : La Pointe courte ; Cléo from 5 to 7 ; Vagabond Sélection 6 : Trois comédies et satires classiques de Jacques Tati : Les Vacances de M. Hulot (M. Hulot's Holidays) ; Mon oncle ; Playtime Sélection 7 : La révolution française : Danton ; La Nuit de Varennes Sélection 8 : La deuxième guerre mondiale : Au revoir les enfants ; Le Dernier Métro ; Lacombe Lucien. LENGTH: The paper will be 5 pp. minimum-6 pp. long maximum (excluding cover page). FORMAT: Typed, double spaced, font Times New Roman size 12, margins 2,5 cm. COVER PAGE: It will include a title, an outline, an abstract on first page and a very short bibliography on last page. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 80% of your bibliography must be in French. Bibliography style will follow the one used in Histoire du cinéma français. FOOTNOTES: You are not supposed to copy or paste anything from a book or from the net without using quotation marks and indicate the full references in footnotes. VOCABULARY: At least 20 words or expressions related to film vocabulary learned in this class will be used in your paper. These 20 items will be underlined. GRADE : Keep in mind that the level of your written French will be crucial to obtain a good grade. The content of your work may be extremely interesting. However, if there are too many grammar and vocabulary mistakes, your grade will be below B. More specifically, I will pay attention to specific vocabulary related to film as we worked on it Sirvent/ FREN 4070 (Film), p. 4/7 throughout the semester (see all exercises that will also be on the in-class exam). For example, avoid common mistakes such as bad translations for "director" or "character". Step 1: submit a topic by Feb. 27 (typed and printed) to be approved (-10% if submitted late) : 5-line abstract including tentative title of your paper. Step 2: submit a final title, abstract, outline, and short bibliography by April 3 (-10% if submitted late). Step 3 (optional): a draft can be submitted by April 17. Step 4: 5-10 minutes oral presentation of paper on May 1. This is an individual meeting with Professor in LB 405J. (-10% if meeting is missed). Step 5 : final paper sent via Blackboard only by May 9 at 10 a.m. This is the final deadline and the paper may be turned in any time earlier. BLACKBOARD LEARN Blackboard will be used primarily for supplemental instruction. You should consult BbL at least once a week to check notifications/instructions. Also, essential material will regularly be posted on it : weekly handouts on films including questions on films, the two questionnaires, specific vocabulary exercises, etc.. There will 3 Blackboard classes on Feb. 13, March 27, and April 10. Assignments with online instructions for film viewing (from Hulu+) will be posted on Blackboard Learn. For blackboard classes only, written assignments must be sent as attachments via blackboard mail (not via my unt email). Then, the following week, you must turn in a hard copy in class for teacher’s correction and grading. All electronic documents must include class number and YOUR name in the attached document title. For example: FREN 4070-YOURNAME.doc. Your name must also be included on first page and in header within the document. Consult Blackboard at http://www.unt.edu/distanceed.htm/ for course-related material. UNT Helpdesk information : https://ecampussupport.unt.edu/index.cfm?M=Student_Resources Students can contact the help desk via email : [email protected], phone : 940 565 2324, or in person: ISB Rm 119. METHOD, REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER GROUND RULES • The course policies and syllabus are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. • The course will be conducted in French.