INTRODUCTION TO FILM 2450

This course introduces you to major films from \spectrum of styles, genres, historical periods, and national cultures.  The primary methodology of this course is to break films down into their component features—i.e., narrative, mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound; to analyze the operations of each of these constituent parts in detail; and then to return each of the parts to the whole, considering the historical, ideological and cultural dimensions of the film. The course seeks to train you  in the specific techniques and critical methods necessary to describe, analyze, and appreciate the artistic text.  You  must see each film featured in class (screening copies on VHS DVD or LD are also available at Ademany Undergraduate Library for  study purposes) and you are encouraged to watch additional films discussed in the Corrigan textbooks, many of which are also available at this library or the Detroit Public Library.  I suggest you take notes during the screenings—you will need to develop the skill of writing in the dark!  This class requires you to see all films screened; this class will screen films with which some people MIGHT take offense ( in terms of some violent or sexual content), if you feel that this might apply to you, you should transfer to another section.
Classes will be structured through a screening and Lecture with discussion and analysis each  class.  You are encouraged to watch each film more than once. NOTE: This course fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement of the General Education Requirement in Humanities.
COURSEWORK: quiz 20%, close analysis 30%, mid-term exam 25%, Final Exam 25%
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REQUIRED TEXTS:
 1) Understanding Movies Louis Giannetti (Prentice Hall: NJ)  2002, 9th Edition
2) A Short Guide to Writing About Film, Timothy Corrigan (Harper, NY) 4th Edition,  2000
Key in syllabus: Understanding Movies =UM, Short Guide =TC
A Course Materials Fee of $15.00 was billed to your account when you registered for this class.  This fee contributes to the cost of film/video/laserdisc rentals and purchases for the course, as well as equipment maintenance.
WEEK ONE   INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FILM
May 7    Narrative & storytelling
Class Overview & introduction to the study of film
    Screening: Dead Again (Kenneth Branagh, 1991) UK
    Reading: Chap 1, TC, chap 1 & 8 UM

May 9  NARRATIVEII/MISE-EN-SCÈNE   I /VISUAL STYLE
     & COMPOSITION WITHIN THE FRAME
Reading: Chap 1 UM; chap 2 TC

WEEK 2   MISE-EN-SCÈNE  II
May 14 & 16   Screening: Elizabeth (Shehkar Kapur,1998,) Great Britain
    Readings: chap 2 & 3 UM;  chap 3, pp 41-65, TC
    IN CLASS QUIZ

WEEK 3   EDITING  I/CLASSICAL HOLLYWOOD CONTINUITY EDITING
May 21 & 23  Screening: His Girl Friday (Howard Hawks, 1940) US
  Reading:  TC pp 66-92, chap 4 UM

WEEK 4   EDITING II/ ALTERNATIVES TO CONTINUITY EDITING
May 28 & 30   Screening: Requiem for a dream (Darren Aranofsky) US 2000       Readings: chap 4 TC
    Close Analysis exercise/ 1 week take home
 

WEEK 5   SOUND/MUSIC
June 4 & 6   Screening: Sudden Fear (David Miller, 1952)US
    Readings: chap 5  & 6 UM, chap 5 TC
    MIDTERM

WEEK 6    GENRE/ HORROR
June 11 & 13   Screening: Shallow Grave (Danny Boyle) Scotland
Reading:  chap 7 UM, if time chap 9 UM, chap 6 TC

WEEK 7    COLOR
June 18 & 20
Final Class Screening: Raise The Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991) Hong Kong/China 125
 “Pink Elephants” sequence from Dumbo (Walt Disney, 1941)
    Reading: chap 10 UM

Examination Week  SYNTHESIS
June 25   Final exam

THE FINE PRINT
Note on Grading: All assignments MUST be submitted for successful completion of the course.
Failure to submit one or more assignments will result in a final grade of C or worse.
Attendance Policy:
Since regular attendance is important for the success of the class, students are expected to be able to arrange their schedules around class meeting times. (That includes work schedules, vacations, etc.  Although I do not regularly take attendance, I expect you come to classes on time (before the beginning of the film) and to watch the films again on your own time.
Late enrollment, withdrawal, and other special policies:
Withdrawals: The last day to drop the course is June 1 .  You cannot drop the class because of poor assignment grades after this date.
Other Policies:
1.  There are no makeup screenings of films, so if you must miss a screening, try to rent the videotape or laser disc or DVD version. Make sure you watch it in its correct letterbox aspect ration.  Ademany has most of the class titles.  Attendance at film screenings is a requirement of the course.
2. Please use common sense and be courteous to others during screenings.  Please don’t talk during the films.   I don’t object to food and drink in the screening room, as long as you eat quietly. PLEASE take all trash out with you when you leave the room.  Also, please keep in mind that the end of a film is just as important as the beginning.  Please do not walk out in the middle of films, and please do not start packing up to leave until the auditorium lights go up.
3.  All written assignments for the course are due in class.  Please do not leave papers for me at the English Department, unless you have first secured my permission. and don’t fax or e-mail them to me. (This is to prevent papers from getting lost; and please do not slide papers under my office door!)
4.  Please photocopy your papers prior to submitting them, or keep a backup copy on computer.  If your paper gets lost, I will ask you for the backup copy. Computers or printers  crashing  are not acceptable excuses
5. GRADING SCHEDULE: I will try to return assignments as soon as possible, but it will usually take me one week to grade a given paper or test.
6.  Handing in an assignment late will result in grade penalization, unless a valid excuse is provided.  For every two days the assignment is late, the score drops by half a letter grade
7 .  Makeups for missed tests or quizzes require a valid excuse, and under most circumstances I will ask for written documentation about the reason for absence (doctor’s receipt, auto repair bill, etc.).  If for some reason you miss a test, PLEASE notify me as soon as possible—generally within 1 day.
8.  If you cannot make it to a scheduled office meeting with me, please call to cancel as soon as possible.
9. PLAGIARISM.  Plagiarism (unacknowledged use of another person’s work) and cheating are both serious offenses.  Like most American universities, Wayne State Univ. has a fairly severe policy about penalties for both.  Evidence of plagiarism (or fabrication of sources) or cheating will result in a zero for the assignment and an F for the class.  Prior to submission of the final paper, students will be given the opportunity to discuss what constitutes plagiarism.
10. Students must put away ALL papers, notebooks, clipboards, and books during tests.  You will be given paper for the test.  I will circulate around the classroom during exams.
CHEATING WILL RESULT IN AN F FOR THE TEST AND CLASS
11. Writing Standards
Although I can provide some writing tips, this class is too large for extensive individual tutoring in basic writing techniques.  Students who  have difficulties with English grammar or spelling should contact the Writing Center for assistance: 313/577-2544; 337 State Hall.  Hours of operation vary from semester to semester.  You will be penalized if your writing standards are insufficient for university work
12. Personal Problems/  Physical or Mental Health
If you feel overwhelmed or stressed out, there is always help available at the WSU Counseling Services at 1001 Faculty Administration  Building --call (313)577-3398.  Alternatively there is the Detroit-Wayne Community Mental Health Emergency Telephone Service (313)224-7000 (24 hour service).  Don't drop your classes--talk to someone first!  If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed or seriously stressed, TELL your professors in your classes so they can help you if you are having difficulties. If you have a physical or mental impairment that may interfere with your ability to complete successfully the requirements for this course, please contact EAS in Room 583 of the SCB to discuss appropriate accommodations on a confidential basis. Telephone: 577-1851.