Syllabus

English 2388: Introduction to Film Studies: Film History and Analysis

Instructor: Monica Montelongo Flores

Email: monica.montelongo@ttu.edu

Skype: monica.montelongo.flores

Office: 456

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 11:00am-12:30pm

Course Website: www.ttueng2388.blogspot.com

Course Description:

In this course, students will become familiar with the history of film and acquire a language to discuss, analyze and write about film. This course covers a wide range in cinema and students explore issues including but not limited to: pre-cinema, early cinema, silent films, early sound, American auteurs, International films, and digital cinema. In this course, students will become literate in film analysis, paying particular attention to mise-en-scene, elements of cinematography, narrative structure, editing, montage, and sound. Students will practice critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Students will engage in thoughtful discussions about challenging topics including social and cultural issues.

Humanities Core Curriculum Requirement:

This course fulfills the Humanities requirement for TTU’s Core Curriculum. The objective of the humanities in the core curriculum is to expand the student’s knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Students will engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

1.) Students will become familiar with reading and analyzing film, and practice the use of terminology specific to film studies.

2.) Students will become familiar with the history of cinema, particularly American cinema.

3.) Students will practice the process of critical reading, thinking, and writing.

4.) Students practice their own writing process, and develop techniques for revision.

5.) Students will be competent and comfortable engaging in discussions, asking thoughtful    questions, and responding to challenging topics.

Required Texts:

Kasdan, Margo A., and Susan Tavernetti. The Critical Eye: An Introduction to Looking at Movies. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub., 2008. 

ISBN: 978-0-7575-5051-5

Mast, Gerald, and Bruce F. Kawin. A Short History of the Movies.   

        Boston: Pearson, 2012.

ISBN: 978-0-205-21062-6

Films:

High Noon (1952)

Rear Window (1954)

Touch of Evil (1958)

Star Wars (1977)
El Norte (1983)

Pulp Fiction (1994)
Smoke Signals (1998)
Reel Injun (2009)

Selected readings on course website

Note on Screenings:

Only the films listed in the required texts are required for you to either purchase or rent for an extended period of time. I highly recommend purchasing a copy of High Noon as you have a project over it most of the semester. The other films listed as “required texts” may be rented on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc… Some films I will provide links for on the course website, and others will be screened in class.

Assignments:

Participaton:                                                      10%

Note-taking Exercises & Responses                 10%

Mid-Term                                                          20%

Essay Draft:                                                       20%

Final Essay:                                                       20%

Final Exam:                                                       20%

Participation: 

Participation equals a total of 10% of your average. You will have a daily participation grade. Your class participation grade will be made up of the following:

Class Discussion

    Individual in-class writing assignments

    Group activities

    Reading quizzes

You should note that many of these assignments will be done or due in-class, so if you miss class you will be forfeiting a portion of your participation grade. These assignments cannot be made-up or turned in late.  Students are expected to come to class prepared, having done reading and screening assignments, as well as bring reading materials to class.

Note-taking Exercises: 

Using the Shot Level Note-Taking Worksheet, you will select a shot, a scene, or a sequence and take notes over it. You will find that as you get more comfortable with the template, you may want to add to it. This is fine, and expected as you begin to develop your own note-taking process when viewing film. Some of these notes will be used for your responses and eventually your essays. For further instructions on these exercises please see course website.

Response Papers:

Your response papers are meant to generate ideas and prepare you for our class discussion. Most of these responses should come from the notes you have taken using the shot-level notes template. This will help you begin putting your notes into clear and concise prose. Occasionally, I may ask you to include a discussion question in your response paper. Questions are good ways to start thinking about what you know and what you want to know. Your response papers should be no less than 250 words. These papers should be typed, double-spaced, and in 12 point font. Some of these early response papers may turn into your essay topic.

Essays:

Your essay will be a shot analysis.Your essays should focus on a particular shot or shots in the film High Noon. In your essay, you are to generate a clear argumentative statement (a thesis) and provide thorough evidence and analysis for this argument. These essays rely on your ability to do close readings of the shot(s) and formulate thoughtful responses. You may use a draft of notes and a response paper as the beginnings of an essay. You will turn in two drafts of this essay, a first and final. Your first draft will be between 700-900 words.  Your final draft will be between 1,200-1,500 words. These papers should be in MLA style, include a works cited page, and be typed, double-spaced, and in 12 point font. 

Grading Scale

A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59 or below.

Submission of Late Work:

A 10-point reduction will be applied for each day an assignment is submitted late. (For example, 1 day= 10 points off, 2 days equals 20 points off). Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Note that I do not wave late penalty due to technological problems, i.e. “My printer wasn’t working.” Plan ahead and be prepared.

Occasionally, students do require an extension on an assignment. I do give extensions, however, they are rare and I require documentation. Examples for when you should ask for an extension on an assignment include, but are not limited to: illness, hospitalization, family emergency, etc. I require some sort of documentation indicating the reasons why you required an extension. I will be happy to accommodate you if such a situation occurs. Please email me ASAP. I require you to contact me before the assignment is due to request an extension.

Attendance:

Attendance is an important component to succeeding in this course. If you must miss class, you are required to email me at monica.montelongo@ttu.edu as soon as possible. Written assignments must still be completed on time if you miss class. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class you will be counted absent.  Students are not allowed to leave early.  If you are required to miss more than four consecutive days of class, you might want to consider dropping the course. Students are permitted three absences without grade penalty. Upon the fourth absence, you will receive a 5% reduction on your final course average. For each continual absence you will receive another 5% reduction.

Behavior:

Students are expected to use language appropriate for the academic setting and show respect to the classroom instructor and the students, both in-class and during on-line correspondence.  I encourage an open class discussion. During these class discussions, keep in mind that you need to use discretion with your language and respect disagreements with myself and other classmates.

Technology:

When you come to class your cells phones and other electronic devices (including laptops) should be turned off and remain off for the time spent in class. Texting, checking Facebook, and other uses of electronic devices are a distraction, so these activities are not allowed in class.  If you break any of the preceding technology policies, you will be asked to leave and counted absent for that day.

Correspondence:

The best way to get in contact with me is through email at monica.montelongo@ttu.edu.

Please include your section number in your correspondence. You can expect a response within 48 hours.  Keep in mind that I may not respond until 48 hours later, so if you have questions concerning an upcoming assignment it is better to do it as soon as possible. 

Office Hours:

Office hours are intended for you to get help with your writing assignments, your readings for class, or any other issue that might pertain to this course. If you are unable to meet with me during regular office hours, we can set up a Skype appointment, or I am always available to help you via email. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns over an assignment.

Contesting a Grade: 

If you choose to contest a grade you must wait 48 hours from the time the grade was submitted to contact me. You may wait no longer than 5 days from when the grade was submitted to contact me. This only gives you a 72 hour time period to contest a grade. When you contest a grade you must write and submit to me via email a 400 word essay explaining why your grade is inaccurate and how your assignment achieved or mastered the assignment requirements.  Keep in mind, if you choose to contest a grade there is a possibility that I may in fact lower the score previously submitted.  A grade contest does not guarantee a higher grade.  Please consider this before you contact me.

Students with Disabilities

Any student who, because of a disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to request necessary accommodations. Student should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services. No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this

approved university process (TTU OP 34.22, p.2).

For more information, you may visit Student Disability Services in 335 West Hall, call at 742-2405, or visit: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/students/sds/

Plagiarism/Academic Integrity

I do not tolerate plagiarism in this course. If you are found to have plagiarized someone else’s work, you will fail that assignment, and may be subject to failing the entire course. Note that plagiarism includes self-plagiarism, i.e. recycling materials you may have written for another course. For more on the university’s policies on plagiarism see:

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentconduct/academicinteg