Syllabus Massasoit Film Analysis Fall, 2011

SyllabusMASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Professor Louis M. Rosenberg, PhD Fall, 2011

MDIA‐311 Film Analysis 3 credits

Students engage in the analysis of major feature films as well as those produced by respected independent

studios by utilizing various schools of film criticism. Additionally, students develop a robust understanding of

the film industry from a myriad points‐of‐view, such as politics, current cultural fascinations, and market

demand. Lastly, the class will embark on “field trips” to screen various films which are appropriate to the

curriculum and the offerings of current cinema.

REQUIREDCOURSEMATERIALS

Textbooks & Films

Anatomy of Film (6th Edition) Bernard F. Dick Bedford/St. Martins’ eBooks Available on website, free of charge

Films

See the Films section of this syllabus for further information.

It should be noted here that students are required to acquire all of the required films at their own cost and screen them outside of class.

Technology

Daily access to the Internet and email

Ability to perform basic Internet operations necessary to life in the 21st century

OTHERLEARNINGRESOURCES

ONLINE You will be submitting assignments, downloading information, and interacting with me and other class members online. See “Technology” section for more information.

TO SUCCEED…

Without exception, the two most common traits amongst successful students is that they are intellectually curious which, in turn, naturally clears away any resistances in which a lesser student would indulge. Such resistances come in a variety of forms: not enough time, past failures, lack of purpose, etc. Success in the workplace does not happen to lazy, unaffected people; therefore, it is, without doubt, that the many skills learned in college dictate one’s future successes.

Successful students relentlessly seek out any and all resources that will add strength to that

MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGEFilm Analysis

Dr. Lou Rosenberg Syllabus – Fall, 2011

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which they are currently endeavoring.

Successful students are not only willing but eager to learn new skills, such as how to operate a library’s computer system, how to get the most out of their word processor, etc.

Successful students realize that anything that appears on their transcript “counts” such that they never put their courses into a hierarchy of importance1.

Successful students possess an innate, healthy competitiveness.

Successful students get the job done. Period. o They always meet their deadlines. o If necessary, they rearrange their schedules in order to devote more time to their

current project. o They strive to reach the highest level of objectivity so that they can see competing

points of view. o They always surround themselves with and listen to the advice of those who have

proven track records in the field (i.e. tutors, professors, etc.). Past failures does not dictate future failures. In fact, many successful people today were only mediocre high school students. And there are those who became wildly successful after they dropped out of college. However, never mistake the exceptions as the rule – doing so is catastrophic. The greatest minds throughout history realize that success is only a byproduct:

ACADEMIC RESOURCE

CENTER

As I have mentioned, it vital to your success that you engage the full resources of the university’s Academic Resource Center, particularly the Writing Center. However, you are not limited to these resources. Your university’s library holds workshops throughout the semester covering topics such as research methodology, computer‐ and Internet‐based operations, etc., and you are strongly urged to participate in those workshops which address a skill(s) you’re lacking. Although it is yet another time commitment (usually, an hour or so), participation in these workshops will save you countless hours of trial‐and‐error during the completion of assignments. Check your university’s website, our course website, and your Student Handbook for more information about the academic services provided to you.

CONTACTING I am available to you both (quickly) after class, via email and “online meetings,” and by appointment.

1 Putting courses into a hierarchy of importance is perhaps the greatest cause for failure

SUCCESS

Creativity

Healthy control of the ego

Healthy relationships with others

Insatiable curiosity



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ME To contact me via email, navigate to the website (lourosenberg.com/edu) and choose LOU > CONTACT LOU. And to book an appointment with me, navigate to the website and choose LOU > BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

LEARNINGOUTCOMES

1. To increase insight into the art of the director, cinematographer, editor, and music composition 2. To increase insight into the many political, industrial, and cultural factors required in order to go “from

page to screen” 3. To increase the enjoyment of watching films 4. To provide the techniques necessary to properly evaluate films

TEACHINGPROCEDURES&METHODOLOGY

CLASS MEETINGS During the course of the semester, we will work together in a workshop environment as we navigate through the world of cinema. We will use various critical lenses as well as our individual reactions to the films to form the foundation for the course.

THE SCREENING OF THE REQUIRED FILMS

Students will obtain and screen the required films at their own cost and outside of class.

USE OF THE COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC

RESOURCE FACILITY

The importance of utilizing the college’s Writing Center cannot be overstated. Students should plan to write at least three drafts of each essay, and this process should be undertaken with a tutor as it is impossible for one to be his own editor and produce anything of true quality.



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GRADEDISTRIBUTION

EVALUATIONOFSTUDENTPROGRESSIn grading student essays, I usually employ a rubric where each domain (grammar, logic/reason, etc.) is given a

qualitative value. Because I do not believe in marginalia (writing endlessly in the margins), the rubric serves as

the grading explanation. However, included in my evaluative process is the expectation that students will make

an appointment with me, or see me after class, should they require further, more detailed analysis of their work.

It is the students’ responsibility to determine when (and if) an appointment with me is necessary. And students

should never wait to handle any academic issue.

Class participation factors into the class quite heavily, and grades are assigned periodically throughout the

semester which reflect the quality of such participation.

Throughout the semester, each student will meet with me privately to discuss issues of academic standing,

those which are assignment‐ and course‐related, as well as other issues the student might bring to the table.

Life happens! While every student is graded equally and objectively, I am certainly willing to allow concessions (such as an extension on a particular assignment) should a student demonstrates just‐cause. Having said this, all students are expected to operate at the “college level” at all times. Nothing less is acceptable.

Essays35%

Term Exams20%

Participation (Incl. Student Instructives)

35%

Final Exam10%



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TERM EXAMS

Several times throughout the semester, students will sit for a Term Exam. Normally, these exams are composed of five short‐answer questions. In evaluating the Term Exam, I am most interested in the content of the student’s answer rather than grammar/syntax issues—that said, chronic issues of such will be reflected in the grade. Term Exams may not be made up; however, the lowest score is dropped.

RESPONSE PAPERS

At the beginning of nearly every class, you will receive a Response Paper, a form on which you will write one‐or‐two paragraphs concerning the particular day’s assignment (reading, film, etc.) and/or a major topic of prior lectures. Thus, the Response Paper is a true evaluation not only of your performance in the course, itself, but also your ability to quickly synthesize information to offer a credible, intelligent response to a question about which you have no prior knowledge. This, the skill of “thinking quickly on your feet,” is an enormously important one because it demonstrates your competitive ability of always being “at the top of your game.” Response Papers may not be made up; however, the lowest two scores are dropped.

STUDENT INSTRUCTIVES

Around the second week of the course, students will be informed of their “Instructive Groups.” Student Instructives consist of a group of students who engage in the research and presentation of an assigned topic. A separate handout is available on the website (and is disseminated during the first class meeting of the semester) concerning Student Instructive; however, the following two points are worthy of note here.

All Team members receive the same grade for the particular Instructive. Note that there is a procedure in place for the team to deal with slackers….

Attendance is mandatory by all students in the course during all scheduled Student Instructives.

o One point is deducted from the student’s final course grade for each absence of a scheduled Student Instructive.

FINAL EXAMINATION

Students will sit for a Final Exam, which is open‐notebook, and I often allow students to work in small groups (of no more than two or three). Please understand that the Final Exam may not be made up under any circumstances, whatsoever and that it will cover the full arch of the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Unless otherwise instructed, students may use their course notes on all exams (“Term,” “Midterm,” and “Final”), and I usually allow the exams to be written in small, quiet groups. However, students may not use any electronic devices, (including computers, PDAs, electronic dictionaries, etc.) during any exam because allowing these amenities would put those without them at a disadvantage. Therefore, if you take notes on a computer, simply print them out and bring them to the exam. Attention ESL Students: While you are certainly welcome to use ancillary

materials (dictionary, computer, etc.) during the lectures, you may not use them during any the exams. As aforementioned, only notebooks are allowed.



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CONFERENCING WITH ME

You must book at least three appointments with me throughout the semester. Credit for each meeting is given only once per month. One of the meetings is scheduled to take place during class and it will count as one of the three required meetings. See the Assignments section of this syllabus for that schedule.

ATTENDANCEIt is important that you are present for all of the lectures. History dictates that grades are reflected in parity

with absences; therefore, more absences or late arrivals will, indeed, compromise your grade. You are

responsible for everything that occurs in your course, whether or not you are present during a particular lecture,

either in‐class or virtual (Internet). If you find that you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to see a fellow

student to obtain the lecture notes as well as any announcements that were made. Remember that I may

alter an assignment’s due‐date and/or language, announcing such changes during class. Of course, these

changes will also be reflected on the website, but such updates may not be immediate.

It is important to note that the following assignment types are not eligible for make‐up. Therefore, late arrivals and absentees will miss these grading opportunities:

In‐Class Assignments (Response Papers, debates, etc.) Term Exams Midterm and Final Exams

ASSIGNMENTPOLICIESWithout exception, all submitted assignments must be typed.

ESSAYS…

are often drafted/corrected in peer groups.

riddled with grammar, logic, syntax, non‐sequitir issues will not pass. Students are expected to hand in only essays of final quality. This is achieved by working with tutors, showing me drafts of work‐in‐progress, etc.

must conform to the MLA standard. This includes a Works Cited page even if the only source used for the particular essay is one of the class texts. In other words, if you use it, cite it!

SUBMITTING LATE ESSAYS

Because 30 points are automatically deducted, the highest grade one can achieve on an essay submitted late is a 70. So, be sure to meet your deadlines!

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is the use of someone else work/intellectual property without giving credit. If I suspect plagiarism, I will require you to engage with me in an oral defense of the essay. If after the oral defense I believe that you did, in fact, plagiarize, you will fail the course. Generally, I handle plagiarism issues internally, without involving the administration.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS You must meet all of your deadlines! See “Submitting Late Essays,” above. With the exception of late essays, late assignments are never accepted.



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BACKUP COPIES AND THE ARCHIVING OF

ALL SUBMITTED ASSIGNMENTS

You are required to backup throughout the course (or, in the case of written assignments, keep copies of) all of the assignments that you submit and that are returned to you. Further, you must have ready access to these backups should I request them. Such backups, however, do not in any way (including the grading or regarding of an assignment) supersede my authority as final arbiter for the course.

TECHNOLOGYYour class website functions as the central hub for the course. It is where assignments, discussions, scheduling

of appointments, course announcements, communications, booking appointments with me, etc. coalesce.

Therefore, you must have access to the site on a daily basis as you are responsible for its official content – i.e.

announcements, changes to assignments, class cancellations, etc.

General Technology Requirements:

Technological issues of any kind are not valid excuses for missing deadlines, announcements, etc.2

Those who do not own a computer will have to make daily visits to their university’s computer lab, their local library, etc.

Time‐management is of the utmost importance – you should never work up to the eleventh hour. This is especially important concerning the composition and timely submission of assignments as technological issues do occur. You will always have a three day window during which to submit your online assignments.

Again, Technological issues of any kind are not valid excuses for missing deadlines,

announcements, etc.

Those who are “technologically challenged” are encouraged to visit their university’s computer

lab immediately and work with a lab technician on the basic functions of the Internet and word

processing. There are also free community courses on the basic operations of the Internet, the

computer and its universal software (word‐processing, browsing the web, etc.). Ours is a

technological world, and to be the least bit competitive one must have mastery over such

fundamentals as reading/replying/writing emails, uploading files, using a word processor, using

a search engine (such as Google), as well as the ability to interact with a particular website’s

technology (such as submitting forms, etc.).

2 Technological issues include, but are not limited to: Internet connectivity issues (where the student cannot access the Internet due to a disruption of service, whether or not it is the fault of the student or the service or computer or software that he/she is using); loss of data due to an unforeseen malfunction of computer hardware or software or transmission (Internet) errors; use of software/hardware that is not compatible with Professor Rosenberg’s servers; compatibility issues where the student’s assignment cannot be accessed by Professor Rosenberg; email delays of any kind; emails not received due to spam control software on the student’s computer/email service; Internet page errors of any kind; file size issues where a student’s file is rejected because it exceeds the maximum upload size; the use of improper software (as outlined herein); etc.



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FILMSBelow, you will find the film roster for your course. Once again, it is important to note that you are responsible

for screening the films yourself—we will not watch the films in class. See your course’s website for links to view

them; the cost for a rental is about $2.99 each. Alternately, you may also purchase them.

FILM RELEASED INTERNETMOVIEDATABASEURLBride of Frankenstein, The 1935 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026138/

Brokeback Mountain 2005 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/ Bullets Over Broadway 1994 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109348/ Chicago 2002 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299658/ Crimes and Misdemeanors 1989 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097123/

Deconstructing Harry 1997 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118954/ Donnie Darko 2001 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/ Double Indemnity 1944 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036775/ Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2004 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/

Gaslight 1944 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036855/ I Heart Huckabees 2004 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356721/ Kid, The 1921 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0012349/ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

1975 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073486/

Rage 2009 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234550/ Rear Window 1954 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047396/

Saw 2004 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387564/ Seven Samurai 1954 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047478/ Singing in the Rain 1952 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/ Way Out West 1937 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029747/



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ASSIGNMENTSBelow is a general schedule of assignments. This schedule will almost certainly change as we progress through

the semester, so be sure to check your course’s website for up‐to‐the‐moment information.

Not to worry! You will always have plenty of advanced notice concerning any type of change to

the syllabus.

Unless otherwise indicated (below), students are not responsible for any of the assignments in the text(s).

All assignments must be completed by their due‐dates. This includes all readings and film screenings – you must have read the assigned pages and/or screened the assigned films before it is scheduled.

All essay assignment language is found on your course’s website.

Follow the assigned readings to their logical endings. You need not continue reading into the next subchapter, chapter, etc.

WEEK OF FILMS ASSIGNMENTS

9/11 Introduction to the Course ESSAYS STUDENT

INSTRUCTURE TERM EXAMS

9/18 Deconstructing Harry

9/25 Brokeback Mountain

The Kid

10/2 Donnie Darko

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

10/9 Bullets Over Broadway

I Heart Huckabees

10/16 Rage

Rear Window

10/23 Saw

The Bride of Frankenstein

10/30 Double Indemnity

Gaslight

11/6 Way Out West

11/13 Seven Samurai

11/20 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

11/27 Crimes and Misdemeanors

12/4 Chicago

Singing in the Rain

12/11 Course Wrap‐Up – Parting Comments, etc.

Documents

Syllabus Massasoit Film Analysis Fall, 2011