Welcome to Cinema 105 online! This History of Motion Pictures class covers the same content as the face-to-face class, the difference is that everything (materials and interaction) is online and we do not have any class meetings in-person. Our site opens on Monday, February 4, at 8:00 am. We will be on session until Sunday, June 2nd. During that time you will be able to log on any day of the week, at any time, 24/7. Content Cinema 105 is an overview of the history of motion pictures, covering the first 75 years of film making, within the context of the different artistic, technological, cultural and social trends. It will provide you with a new way to view film. This course is designed to improve your critical thinking as you analyze film from a contemporary and historic perspective, both domestically and internationally. This class transfers to the UC/CSU schools. Book Our textbook is: Flashback: A brief history of film, by Giannetti, L. & Eyman, S., 6th edition, Prentice Hall, 2010. ISBN 0205695906. This text is required and you will need to read it to complete class assignments. Get the book by the start of the semester. The book is available at the bookstore. You can access the bookstore on line at http://www.lavcbookstore.com/ or visit the LAVC campus. You might be able to rent the textbook at the bookstore and save money, ask them!
Screenings We will have weekly screenings that will illustrate our topics. Watching these films is very important to understand the content, be able to complete the assignments and participate in our discussions. All the screenings will take place online, in our class site. Grades Your grade in the course will be based on how you do these tasks: - participate in all online discussions - complete assignments - take quizzes and exams You will earn points for all these tasks. Your final grade will be the result of adding all those points at the end of the semester. You will do well in the class if you spend the time and make the effort. How to succeed in this class You need to have the time and be selfmotivated and self-disciplined to succeed. If you were taking this course in-person you would be spending three hours in class, plus time reading the book and completing the assignments more than six hours every week. This class proceeds at the same pace as the inperson sections. You will need to log on at least three times a week, and spend about the same amount of time than the in-person class reading the modules, watching the screenings, participating in our discussions and completing the assignments (about six hours per week). To succeed in this class you must participate and turn your work on time.
If you are not sure if an online class is really for you, take the quiz at: http://www.foothill.edu/fga/pre_assessment.php Is your computer ready? To avoid frustration and headaches due to technical difficulties check that your computer system is compatible with Etudes (our site host) and that you have all the needed software, click on this link: https://myetudes.org/portal/site/!gateway/page/4243c7b4-9b68-45fc-0016-148ad08653aa Pay attention to the cache settings and setting up your cookies, java etc. (don t worry, setting this up is easier than it sounds). You will save time in the long run. If you are using a Mac, Safari will not work well. Only Firefox and Internet Explorer are fully functional with Etudes. Firefox is the preferred browser for Etudes. Do not use Chrome or Safari with Etudes. To download the required version of Firefox or Internet Explorer click on the link above. Etudes works with an iphone or ipad with the free Etudes intouch app which can help you check in with class; however, the app will not work for taking tests and some other Etudes functions. For those you will need a computer with Firefox and internet connection. It is important that you have a back-up computer (such as the computer labs on campus). Technical problems will not be accepted as an excuse for late work. Check regularly the email address in your Etudes profile. Important class announcements are sent to the email address you have listed with the college. What email is that? Go to http://www.lavc.edu/ and click on the register for classes link to login to the student system and view your email address.
Not familiar with Etudes? Not a problem. Tutorials on how to use Etudes can be found at: http://www.lavc.edu/virtualvalley/tutorials.html Also check the Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.lavc.edu/virtualvalley/frequentlyaskedquestions.html How do I get to class? If you have never used Etudes you will need a User Name and a Password, go to: http://www.lavc.edu/virtualvalley/index.html and click on how to log in (on the right) *Your Etudes login ID is different from your LAVC login information, so please follow the login instructions carefully on the LAVC Virtual Valley site. To enter our class go to the Etudes portal: https://myetudes.org/portal If you have tried the previous links but you experience technical difficulties, consult with the LAVC Online Help Desk they are very nice and helpful at: http://www.lavc.edu/virtualvalley/help.html Once you are in Etudes go to our class Home page, read the announcement and you will be ready for take off. Very Important The first day you can log on is Monday, February 4, at 8:00 a.m. If you have not logged on and participated in the first discussion by Friday, February 8, at 11:30 p.m., then I will assume you do not want to take the class. It is just like attending the first day of class. You miss it, you could be dropped. So remember, you need to log into the class and participate before Friday, February 8, at 11:30 p.m.
Where do I start? First get the latest news: read the announcement on the Home page. Then find out all the details about what to expect: requirements, grades, etc. in the Syllabus. Etudes will not let you advance unless you read it. Then plan your strategy: visit the Course Map for a list of all that you need to do, week-by-week. I consult it all the time to make sure I did not forget anything. Know where things are: make sure that you familiarize yourself with each of the areas of our site -in the menu on the left- There are modules to read, brief assignments to do and discussions to participate in the first week, so get going and let me know if you have any questions! I am really looking forward to meet you all, we are going to have fun! Prof. Arantxa Rodriguez