INTRODUCTION TO FILM 2450/2010

T Th 1.55 ­3.55 pm, Location: 226 Manoogian
Professor: Dr. Kirsten Moana Thompson  (313)577-3358 (office)
Office Hours Tuesday 4.30-5.30 pm or other times by appointment, Rm 9313 5057 Woodward, 9th Floor, English Department E-mail: kirsten_thompson@wayne.edu,
Instructor Web Page: http://www.english.wayne.edu/fac_pages/thompsonk/index2.html Textbook Webpage (with chapter quizzes, study guide etc): http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/filmexperience/
This course introduces students to films from a broad-based spectrum of styles, genres, historical periods, and national cultures.  The primary methodology of the 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.  The course seeks to train students in the specific critical methods necessary to describe, analyze, and appreciate the film text. Weekly screenings and Lectures. This course fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement of the General Education Requirement in Humanities. 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 textbook, many of which are also available at this library. 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.
COURSEWORK: quiz 20%, close analysis 30%, Midterm 25%, 2nd exam 25%
Required Texts: The Film Experience; An Introduction,  Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White (Bedford/St Martin’s: New York) 2004, 1st Edition
Film Form and Culture 1.03 Second Edition  CD Rom, Robert Kolker (McGraw Hill 2002 (CD for short)
Attendance Policy:
I do not take attendance in this class.  However  if you choose to miss classes you  will miss crucial information in the lectures that will impact your  exams and final grades.  It is up to you to ensure you attend regularly and all coursework  and exams will assume you will have seen all the films in class and participated in the lectures & discussion. Please arrive promptly at all classes as the doors must be shut to prevent light entering and the noise disturbing other classes.  THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND IF YOU ARE LATE YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER LATE.  BE PROMPT!
PLEASE SWITICH OFF ALL CELL PHONES BEFORE ENTERING THE CLASSROOM.  NO CELLPHONE CONVERSATIONS PERMITTED IN THE CLASSROOM BEFORE THE CLASS BEGINS.  IF YOUR CELLPHONE RINGS IN CLASS  I WILL CONFISCATE IT FOR ONE WEEK!
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.  IN EVERY CLASS WE WATCH THE ENTIRE CONCLUDING CREDITS UNTIL THE END OF THE FILM. PLEASE WATCH THESE  AND REMAIN STILL UNTIL THE  LIGHTS ARE ON.

WEEK 1   INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FILM
Jan 11 & 13   The shot
Class Overview & introduction to the study of film
    Screening: Dead Again (Kenneth Branagh, 1991) US
    Reading:  chap 1 & chap 6
CD ROM  Watch  Intro & Chap 7 (Framing, Placement and Movement)

WEEK 2    MISE-EN-SCÈNE /VISUAL STYLE
   & COMPOSITION WITHIN THE FRAME
Jan 18 & 20   Screening: Elizabeth (Shehkar Kapur,1998,) UK
Readings: Chap 2 ; CD Chap 5  on Mise-en-scène & Chap 2 (The Long Take)

WEEK 3   MISE-EN-SCÈNE  II CINEMATOGRAPHY (CAMERA WORK)
JAN 25 & 27   Screening: Sudden Fear (David Miller, 1952)
     In class quiz/close analysis (20 % of grade)
    Readings: chap 3 ; CD chap  6 (Lighting)

WEEK 4   EDITING  I/CLASSICAL HOLLYWOOD CONTINUITY EDITING
Feb 1 & 3 Screening: The Hunger (Tony Scott, 1983) 97 m., US
Readings: chap 4, pp 110-136; CD  chap 1 (Continuity Editing) & Chap 4 (point of View)
Close Analysis exercise 2 week take home (30 % of grade) Due Feb 24

WEEK 5  EDITING II/ ALTERNATIVES TO CONTINUITY EDITING
Feb 8 & 10  Screenings: Requiem for a dream (Darren Aranofsky) 2000, US
    clips: Battleship Potemkin/Odessa Steps sequence (Sergei Eisenstein, 1925)  USSR
    Readings: chap 4, pp 136- 165; CD chap 3 (Montage)
 
WEEK 6    SOUND/MUSIC
Feb 15 & 17   The Piano (Jane Campion, 1993) NZ
Reading:  chap 5; CD chap 8 (Sound and Music)
 
WEEK 7    COLOR
Feb 22 & 24   Screening: Raise The Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991) China/ Hong Kong
    “Pink Elephants” sequence from Dumbo (Walt Disney, 1941)
    Reading: reread pp 89-91 and look at Color inserts in Corrigan
CD chap 9 (Genre)
     Midterm Revision with clips

WEEK 8   GENRE I/ HORROR
March 1 & 3   Screening: Shallow Grave (Danny Boyle) Scotland
Readings: chap 8 ; CD Genre
MIDTERM
WEEK 9   GENRE II/WESTERN
March 8 & 10   Screening: Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood, 1992), US
    Reading: chap 9
March 14-19 Spring Break

WEEK 10   NARRATIVE
March  22 & 24  Screening: Run Lola Run aka Lola Rennt (Tom Tywker) Germany 1998
Reading: chap 10
 
* Note : I will be out of the country March 31- April 3 so there will be a week just of screenings and I will give the lectures for these films when I return

WEEK 11   EXPERIMENTAL FILM
March 29 & 31  Screening: La Jetée  Chris Marker (Recommended outside viewing 12 Monkeys)
    Reading: chap 7
Screening: Cidade de Deus /City of God (Katia Lund & Fernando Mereilles) Brazil 2002Reading:  chap 11

WEEK 12   Lectures ARTHOUSE and EXPERIMENTAL FILM
April 5 & 7

WEEK 13    POLITICAL & IDEOLOGICAL  ANALYSIS
April 12 & 14   Screening: The Manchurian Candidate (John Frankenheimer, 1962) 126 m, US     Reading:  chap. 12

WEEK 14 /April 19  EXAM PREP
April 21   Second exam

Classes end April 25
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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.
Grading: A= 96-100
A-  90-95
B+ 85-89
B 80-84
B- 75-79
C+ 70-74
C 65-69
C- 60-64
D+ 55-59
D 51-54
F  (E) 50 and below
The English Department attendance policy is as follows
Students enrolled in any English course must attend at least one of the first two class sessions of the term in order to maintain a place in the class.  If a student does not show up for the first 2 classes he/she is not permitted to register for this class.
Other Policies:
1.  There are no makeup screenings of films, so if you must miss a screening, try to rent the videotape or DVD version (with correct ASPECT RATIO—i.e. widescreen letterboxed). Ademany has most of the class titles.  Attendance at film screenings is a requirement of the course.
2.  In previous courses, I have received some complaints about talking and noise during film screenings, so please use common sense and be courteous to others during screenings.  Please don’t talk during the films (or during class discussion, for that matter).  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.  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.  (This is to prevent papers from getting lost, and please do not slide papers under my office door!) NO papers by email or fax.
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 at one week to grade a given paper or test.
6.  Handing in an assignment late will result in loss of points, unless a valid excuse is provided.  For every two days the assignment is late, the score drops by half a letter grade.  Except for dire emergencies, I will not accept papers that are more than 2 weeks late.
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 or 2 days.
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. PLAGIARISM INCLUDES ALL UNACKNOWLEDGED USE OF SOURCES, INCLUDING THE INTERNET.
An instructor, on discovering such an instance WILL give a failing grade on the assignment or for the course.  The instructor has the responsibility of notifying the student of the alleged violation and the action being taken.  Both the student and the instructor are entitled to academic due process in all such cases.  Acts of dishonesty may lead to suspension or exclusion.
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.