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English 108-501,
Fall 2008 |
Prof. Michael Filas
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Introduction to Film
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Office: Bates 07, ph. 572-5683 |
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Thursdays 6:30-9:15, Bates 111 |
Hours: Before and after class, |
Course Description:
Examines the aesthetic elements of film including cinematography, editing, sound, script, acting, direction, and mise en scene. The study of film may also include contexts such as cultural roles, genre, political issues, economics, and history.
Required texts:
á Phillips, William. Film: An Introduction. 3rd Ed.
á Anson, et. al. The Longman Pocket WriterÕs Guide. 2006. Pearson.
á As we proceed, I will provide additional required course readings and require at-home film viewings (thus, you will incur a video or dvd rental fee here and there)
á You are also required to have (and use) a stapler and make copies of your work a few times during the term.
Course Requirements:
Arrive to class on time. Late attendance prevents you from participating in the daily reading quiz and from hearing presentations, assignment specifics, and other announcements. Late arrival lowers your participation grade.
Come to class. Assignment schedules are subject to changes
announced in class. If you miss
class, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate for the assignment and
any schedule changes. Perfect
attendance contributes to an above average course grade. Your
course grade is affected by all absences after the first and affected severely
once you accumulate more than two absences in the semester. Note that we have
only thirteen class meetings.
Participate. I want to hear from you, your responses to the textbook, the films, and the presentations made by me and your classmates. Those receiving an above average grade in participation are those students who show up on time, prepared, and ready to contribute, those who make an impression, those who speak out and who are willing to share their ideas.
Keep up with the reading and pay attention in class. We are following the textbook very closely for the basic quiz structure in this class. Read the textbook as assigned and you will fare well in these quizzes. I will add to each quiz two questions in which your attention to and understanding of my film presentations, and/or the presentations of your classmates are also tested.
Conduct: Please turn off all electronics, including text messaging and vibrating phones. Please also refrain from commentary during films. While I hope you enjoy each viewing, and while jokes and comments can make things more fun sometimes they are not appropriate for a film class. Cheering for the hero, or any intrusive commentary can break the illusion of the film, and ruin the concentration of a classmate.
Assignments (No assignment
may be turned in via email; no late work except by prior arrangement with
confirmation, in advance, from Dr. Filas):
¤ 60%. Quizzes. Most classes will begin with a chapter and discussion quiz with 22 questions each. Each quiz has 10 True/False questions and 10 multiple choice questions derived from the chapter reading. Each quiz also has two short-answer questions based on in-class discussion and presentations. There are no make up quizzes.
¤ 10%. Midterm film responses. You will write three one-page (300-500 words each) film responses.
¤ 15%. Final paper: film essay. You will write one in-depth 5-6 page (1250 word) paper analyzing one film in depth.
¤ 10%. Oral report with a one-page (500 word) handout and thesis. Each student will present one element of film study using terms and ideas from the text and film clips as an example. Each presentation must include both an examination of a still frame (for elements of mise en scene, cinematography, lighting, framing, costume, symbolism), and a sequence (editing, narrative, plus the same elements applicable to the still frame). You will provide your classmates and Dr. Filas with a concise handout with the information about the film, and your thesis.
¤ 5%. Participation. Attendance, respectful conduct, peer review, wakefulness, and attention to class.
¤ All assignments must be typed in 12-point font and are due at the beginning of class. All assignments must include a word count. Work exceeding one page must be printed single-sided and stapled. Work that is not stapled, or not typed will not be accepted.
¤ Computer problems have plagued us all at times. Please be prepared for this by backing up your work regularly and keeping more than one source in case of a disk error. The labs at WSC have been known to randomly demolish student work.
Grading:
60% Quizzes
10% Oral report
10% Midterm film briefs
15% Final film essay
5% Participation
Grade Conversion
Table:
Grading is done on a straight percentage, derived from the 4.0=A, 1.0=D grade scale. Please refer to the chart below to convert numerical grades into letter equivalents. If you end the class with 50 percent, you have earned a C, 75 percent a B, and over 94 percent an A.
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a |
a- |
b+ |
b |
b- |
c+ |
c |
c- |
d+ |
d |
|
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.3 |
3.0 |
2.7 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
|
100.0 |
92.5 |
82.5 |
75.0 |
67.5 |
57.5 |
50.0 |
42.5 |
32.5 |
25.0 |
|
15.0 |
13.9 |
12.4 |
11.3 |
10.1 |
8.6 |
7.5 |
6.4 |
4.9 |
3.8 |
|
10.0 |
9.3 |
8.3 |
7.5 |
6.8 |
5.8 |
5.0 |
4.3 |
3.3 |
2.5 |
|
6.0 |
5.6 |
5.0 |
4.5 |
4.0 |
3.5 |
3.0 |
2.6 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
|
5.0 |
4.6 |
4.1 |
3.8 |
3.4 |
2.9 |
2.5 |
2.1 |
1.6 |
1.3 |
Tentative Schedule: This schedule is partial and likely to change as we go, so please do not refer to it for missed classes without checking with a classmate or Dr. Filas for specifics and modifications to the plan below.
|
|
Date |
Course Units |
Reading hw |
Writing & |
Class Plan |
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1 |
R 9/4 |
Elements of film expression |
Ch. 1 Mise en Scene |
|
Review syllabus. Set up oral schedule. Screen film. |
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2 |
R 9/11 |
Elements of film expression |
Ch. 2 Cinematography |
Watch Visions of Light |
Quiz. Oral. Screen film. |
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3 |
R 9/18 |
Elements of film expression |
Ch. 3 Editing |
|
Quiz. Oral. Screen film. |
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4 |
R 9/25 |
Elements of film expression & Interpretation theory |
Ch. 4 Sound
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MT Film Reponses |
Quiz. Discuss MT film responses. Oral. Screen film. |
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5 |
R 10/2 |
Elements of film expression & Interpretation theory |
Film theory handout |
Last chance to write MT papers |
Quiz. Oral. Screen film. |
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6 |
R 10/9 |
Interpretation theory |
Ch. 9 Contexts Ch. 10 Thinking |
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MT due. Quiz. Oral. Screen film. |
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|
R 10/16 |
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|
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No class--PH |
|
|
R 10/23 |
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|
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No class--CMJ |
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7 |
R 10/30 |
Elements of film expression—fictional film |
Ch. 5 Sources |
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Quizzes (2). Oral. Screen film. |
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8 |
R 11/6 |
Interpretation—narrative
theory & form |
Ch. 6 Aspects |
Final paper proposal |
Quiz. Discuss final. Oral. Screen film. |
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9 |
R 11/13 |
Film variety |
Ch. 7 Types |
Write final paper |
Quiz. Oral. Screen film. |
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10 |
R 11/20 |
Film variety |
Ch. 8 Alternatives |
Write final paper |
Quiz (1). Oral. Screen film. |
|
|
R 11/27 |
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|
|
No class- Thanksgiving |
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11 |
R 6/26 |
Pulling it all together |
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Write final paper |
Quiz (1). Oral. Screen film. |
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12 |
R 12/4 |
Pulling it all together |
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Write final paper |
Orals (2). Screen film. |
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13 |
R 12/11 |
Last class |
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Final papers due. Final orals (12 min) |