INTRODUCTION TO FILM English 3290, Fall 2013 Tuesday/Thursday, 12:45-2:05

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1 INTRODUCTION TO FILM English 3290, Fall 2013 Tuesday/Thursday, 12:45-2:05 Dr. Stanton McManus Office: 405 Burleson Office Hours: T 11:30-12:45 and 2:15-4:00 / R 2:15-5:15 mcmanuss@etsu.edu ( must be conducted via your ETSU account) Course Schedule Description The techniques and aesthetics of cinema, studied through presentation of feature and short film. Detailed Description As good a way as any towards understanding what a film is trying to say to us is to know how it is saying it (André Bazin). This course serves as an introduction to the study of film, providing students with a basic set of tools for analyzing moving images in order to learn how films communicate meaning. For this purpose, we will break down the complex processes of filmmaking in order to understand the many different aspects that determine the meaning of a finished shot, scene, or film. We will look at the basic components of film style from mise-enscène through cinematography to editing and sound and we will consider different principles of narration as well as the construction of non-narrative films. We will also familiarize ourselves with the basic terminology for film analysis, and we will explore the relation between film form and culture in selected case studies. Texts Film Art: An Introduction, 10 th edition, David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson (B&T in the syllabus). A writing handbook is not required for this course. However, if you are unfamiliar with MLA format, then purchasing one that contains a section on MLA is highly recommended, as you will be required to submit papers formatted appropriately. Course Structure We will analyze many different areas of film techniques and aesthetics, which include: film form and style, narration, genre, mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, sound, etc. Much like a good film, this course requires many different kinds of work, from viewing and listening to reading and writing, and discussion. Your performance in the class will be graded in each of these areas. In order to benefit fully from the lectures and participate in discussion, you are expected to do all the assigned reading. The weekly readings form the basis for discussion and assignments: in other words, in grading your assignments and your contributions to the discussion, I will hold you accountable not just for the films screened but also for the terminology and content Introduction to Film Syllabus 1

2 presented in the readings. This does not mean that I expect you to have understood and mastered all concepts in advance; but, the ability to ask informed questions is one way of demonstrating that you have engaged with the readings. Grade Distribution/Assignment Schedule There will be five 2-page sequence analyses and one 5-6 pp. paper. All papers and examinations must be completed and submitted on time to receive credit for the course. Late papers will not be accepted. If you are absent the day that an assignment is due, it is your responsibility to submit your work before it is due. Note: This is a writing-intensive course (IWRT) Five 2-page sequence analyses 40% Critical Analysis (1400 words) 30% Final Exam 20% Class Participation (discussion, online responses, quizzes) 10% **Each of you begins with a "C" for participation, and your score for this portion of your final grade will go up or down in relation to your meaningful contribution to class discussion and activities, as well as your class attendance. Grading Scale A % A % B % B 86-84% B % C % C 76-74% C % D % D 64-60% F 59% and below Course Policies 1) Attendance Attendance is mandatory in this course. Please remember that the English Department does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences and that students exceeding 6 absences will receive an F in the course. Two tardy arrivals or departures will equal one absence. In addition to Department policy, I will also enforce an attendance policy of deducting your final grade by 1/3 grade for each absence over 4. That is, you are allowed to miss a total of two weeks, but any additional absence will reduce your course grade by 1/3 (for example, if you missed 5 days, and you had a B in the class, then you will now have a B-). Introduction to Film Syllabus 2

3 If you do miss a class, please contact me or one of your classmates to find out what we covered in your absence and what is due for the next class meeting; you will not be excused for unpreparedness due to absence. Participation in group work and class discussion, and completing in-class assignments are central to this course, and they can only achieved when you are present and prepared for class. 2) Reading Assignments Always read and annotate the assigned pages/sections of the prior to the class date. Be aware that unannounced quizzes on the assigned readings may be regularly scheduled throughout the semester. Bring your book to class. 3) Late/Incomplete Work Late work will not be accepted (no exceptions). There will not be a make-up or alternate date for the final project. 4) Class Materials Bring writing materials, which might include a notebook and a pen, in order to take notes, complete in-class writing assignments, and complete quizzes. Again, please bring the required textbook to each class, as we will practice close reading and will need to refer to the text being analyzed. 5) Cell Phones/Electronic Devices Do not bring electronic devices of any kind into class without prior permission (laptops excepted). Anyone caught using such a device will be penalized with an additional class absence for each infraction. This holds for texting or failing to silence phones in class as well. If you plan on using a laptop for jotting down notes and such, then I advise disabling network services ( and internet) to avoid penalties. Anyone caught using a computer for non-related activities (surfing the web, Facebook, , etc.) will be penalized as above. 6) Classroom Etiquette Tobacco use (of any kind) is restricted to personal automobiles on campus. Eating and drinking are not allowed during class. Also, no visitors are allowed in class without prior permission. 7) Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities It is the policy of ETSU to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law and the University's commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a Intro to Film, Fall

4 disability who needs accommodations, for example arrangement for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Faculty accommodation forms are provided to eligible students through Disability Services. Disability Services is located in the D.P. Culp Center, Room 326, phone or Retroactive accommodations may not be made for students disclosing after an assignment and/or exam. 8) Center for Academic Achievement Located on the first floor of the Sherrod Library, the Center for Academic Achievement (CFAA) is the place to go for help with writing and speaking, library research, core math and science courses, and other subjects. The center offers tutoring on a walk-in and appointment basis and is open during library hours, including nights and weekends. Call or go to for more information. 9) Academic Integrity/Plagiarism All instances of plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct shall be punished in accord with Tennessee Board of Regents Policy. Any knowledge of conduct of this nature should be reported to the proper authorities. Not reporting instances of academic misconduct represents a fundamental break with honor code policy, and although this offense is not punishable, reflects a disregard for yourself, your classmates, and your professors. Penalties for academic misconduct may include, but are not limited to: a grade of F on the work in question, a grade of F for the course, reprimand, probation, suspension, and expulsion. For a second academic misconduct offense, the penalty is permanent expulsion. Any written assignments for this course are subject to review for text comparison by Turnitin, which is a plagiarism detection service. The text of your assignments submitted to this electronic service will be compared to other submitted texts. Assignments are also compared to material on the Internet and some academic databases such as ProQuest. REMEMBER: Following the above guidelines will help to assure your success in class. What will most negatively impact your achievement is failing to be prepared for class, not doing the readings, and not giving thought to your online responses. Intro to Film, Fall

5 Reading, Screening and Assignment Schedule Note: Schedule, Screenings and Readings subject to change Week 1 T 8/27 R 8/29 Introduction and Overview Screening: Visions of Light (Glassman, McCarthy and Samuels, 1992) Production/Distribution/Exhibition Readings: B&T, Chp. 1, Film as Art Screening: Collateral (M. Mann, 2004) Week 2 T 9/3 R 9/5 Mise-en-scène Readings: B&T, Chp. 4, Mise-en-scene Screening: The City of Lost Children (Caro and Jeunet, 2005) Sequence Analysis #1 Due 9/8 11:59pm Week 3 T 9/10 R 9/12 Cinematography Readings: B&T, Chp. 5, Cinematography Screening: Drive (N. Winding Refn, 2011) Sequence Analysis #2 Due 9/15 11:59pm Week 4 T 9/17 R 9/19 Editing Readings: B&T, Chp. 6, Editing Screening: Children of Men (A. Cuarón, 2006) Sequence Analysis #3 Due 9/22 11:59pm Week 5 T 9/24 Sound Readings: B&T, Chp. 7, Sound Screening: The Prestige (C. Nolan, 2006) Intro to Film, Fall

6 R 9/26 Sequence Analysis #4 Due 9/29 11:59pm Week 6 T 10/1 R 10/3 Film Style Readings: B&T, Chp. 8, Style Screening: Mulholland Dr. (D. Lynch, 2001) Week 7 T 10/8 R 10/10 Narrative Readings: B&T, Chp. 3, Narrative Screening: Point Break (K. Bigelow, 1991) Sequence Analysis #5 Due 10/13 11:59pm Week 8 T 10/15 R 10/17 NO CLASS~ FALL BREAK Alternative Narratives Week 9 T 10/22 R 10/24 Film Form Readings: B&T, Chp. 2, Film Form Screening: The Five Obstructions (L. von Trier, 2003) and The Perfect Human (J. Leth, 1967) Week 10 T 10/29 R 10/31 Film Genre Readings: B&T, Chp. 9, Film Genres Screening: Thelma & Louise (R. Scott, 1991) Critical Analysis Paper, assigned Intro to Film, Fall

7 Week 11 T 11/5 R 11/7 Documentary Readings: B&T, Chp. 10, Documentary section Screening: Grizzly Man (W. Herzog, 2005) Week 12 T 11/12 Experimental Films Readings: B & T, Chp. 10, Experimental & Animated sections Experimental Narrative Lucifer Rising (K. Anger, 1972) Experimental, Abstract Lichtspiel Opus 1 (W. Ruttmann, 1921), Mothlight (S. Brackhage, 1963) Experimental, Associational A Movie (B. Conner, 1958) Experimental, Conceptual Video Art Emergence (B. Viola, 2002), Acceptance (B. Viola, 2008) R 11/14 Week 13 T 11/19 R 11/21 Animated Films Readings: B & T, Chp. 10, Experimental & Animated sections Screenings: The Lord of the Rings (R. Bakshi, 1978) and Duck Amuck (C. Jones, 1953) Week 14 T 11/26 The American Avant-Garde Critical Analysis Paper Due 11/26 11:59pm R 11/28 NO CLASS~ THANKSGIVING Intro to Film, Fall

8 Week 15 T 12/3 R 12/5 Film Art and Film History Readings: B&T, Chp. 12, Film Art and Film History Screening: The Last Laugh (F.W. Murnau, 1924) 12/12 1:20-3:20 FINAL EXAM (Bring a Blue Book) Intro to Film, Fall