Course Syllabus

The Art of Film I: Genre and Theme

Semester 1, 2009-2010
Ms. Rachel Tholen Hatten
ractholen@edina.k12.mn.us
http://hattenartoffilm.blogspot.com/


Course description:
Here’s what this class IS:
1) An opportunity to view, analyze and interpret many films you wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to
2) A chance to learn the language and techniques of film so that you may be an active participant in the viewing of it, rather than a passive observer – critical thinking is a must
3) An experience that will allow you to take the skills you learn and apply them to films you view outside of class

Here’s what this class IS NOT:
1) A rehash of movies fresh from the multiplex that most of the class has already seen
2) A chance to kick back for 54 minutes every day in the dark to watch a movie or catch up on your sleep
3) A pretentious, artsy class that will encourage you to watch only black-and-white films with subtitles about the futility of human existence

Units of study/films:
1. The language of film – clips from various films; Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941) and Bonnie and Clyde (Arthur Penn, 1967)
Genre study
2. The Western – My Darling Clementine (John Ford, 1946); Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone, 1968)
3. Screwball/romantic comedy – Bringing Up Baby (Howard Hawks, 1938); Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
4. Film noir – Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944); Kiss Me Deadly (Robert Aldrich, 1955); Memento (Christopher Nolan, 2000)
Thematic study
5. Style and social critique – The Battle of Algiers (Gillo Pontecorvo, 1966); Do the Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989); M (Fritz Lang, 1931)
6. Films about filmmakers – Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (Bahr, Hickenlooper, 1991); Ed Wood (Tim Burton, 1994)

Course goals:
 Students will learn vocabulary and techniques specific to film and be able to identify and interpret those techniques when they appear in films
 Students will learn how to define a film genre, and identify common characteristics such as setting and characters within certain genres. Students will also learn why genre films have been popular, how genres change over time, and how genre films reflect the time and place in which they were made.
 Students will learn to see how films made in different countries in different eras in different genres relate to each other by exploring similar thematic territory.
 Students will be able to identify how a film influences viewers’ beliefs (reinforcing them, challenging them, etc.) through narrative and cinematic techniques
 Students will learn about various aspects of film history through readings, discussion and film viewing
 Students will gain a new appreciation of film, taking what they’ve learned in the class and applying it to better understand the world around them, and maybe to better understand themselves – “No matter how much I know about a film’s makers or its subject before I go, I never really know what it’s going to do to me: depress me with its vileness, or just roll past, or change my life in some degree, or some combination of all three, or affect me in some new way that I cannot imagine.” – Stanley Kauffmann, film critic since 1958.

Expectations:
 Attend class regularly. This is absolutely essential, not only because we will use much of our class time for viewing and discussing films, but also because you must complete viewing guides for each film we view. If you miss a class viewing day, you must either rent the film or borrow the film from a library. All of the films that we will watch in class are available through Netflix. All but three are available to watch immediately online through Netflix.
o Some of these films will be difficult to find at a chain video store. I strongly encourage either getting a library card from the Hennepin County Library (www.hclib.org), or:
o getting a subscription to an online DVD rental company: Netflix is the best-known (www.netflix.com) – you can join for as little as $4.99 per month, with a two-week free trial; others include Blockbuster (www.blockbuster.com), GreenCine (www.greencine.com), and Café DVD (www.cafedvd.com).
o You will not be allowed to simply talk to a classmate/copy their notes to make up for an absence – that’s plagiarism, and it will be dealt with accordingly. Completion of the study guides will help greatly with the tests that follow each unit.

 Participate in class discussions. Full understanding and appreciation of films will only happen if the viewers exchange meaningful ideas with each other. Therefore it is very important that you participate in class discussions frequently both in class and online at our class blog (http://hattenartoffilm.blogspot.com/) – that means sharing your contributions and questions and listening to others. It also means you will not behave inappropriately in class and remain here. Note: Please do not disturb others’ viewing experiences by coming in late or asking to leave the room while the film is playing. If it all possible, wait until the projector is off.

 Hand assignments in on time. Late work will be accepted for no more than half credit.

 Show your understanding of film through writing. Study guides and discussion are important as early stages in understanding film, but writing is the final product that allows you to articulate exactly what you found interesting about a particular film. Note: Several of these writing assignments will be based on a film you will be asked to see outside of class. Here’s a website to know and love – the Internet Movie Database at www.imdb.com.

 Complete a final project. At the end of the semester, you will be asked to synthesize what you’ve learned into a final project – a study of a genre or theme (more details to follow).

Opportunities (percentages are approximate):
Viewing guides (20% of first quarter grade; 15% of second quarter grade): For each film you will be asked to record observations, and answer as well as generate questions for discussion. These viewing guides are necessary for the fullest appreciation and understanding of the film. You will be evaluated on how completely and thoughtfully you complete these. Viewing guides are always due on the day of the quiz for that unit. If they’re not handed in that day, they’ll be considered late.

Tests and quizzes (40% of first quarter grade; 25% of quarter grade): You will be tested after each unit of study. The tests will cover the films viewed in class, readings, and techniques and concepts that have been studied since the beginning of the semester. Tests will be a mixture of multiple choice, matching and essay. If you have an excused absence on the day of a quiz, you’ll have to take a short essay test rather than a multiple choice test during the make-up test time that I schedule. This will be your only opportunity to make up the quiz without setting up a conference with me to arrange a mutually agreeable time. If you have an unexcused absence, you will receive a zero.

Papers (25% of first quarter grade; 20% of second quarter grade). You will have one major in-class paper each quarter that requires you to view a film outside class, prepare notes and write an in-class analytical essay.

Blogs/class participation/daily work (15% of first and second quarter grade): All students are expected to make regular, important contributions to class discussion. In addition, each student will be expected to maintain a regular presence on our class blog in the comments section. More details on this to follow.

Final project (25% of second quarter grade): This project may be completed in groups of 3-4. You will complete a genre or theme study of a number of films that you select.

Distracting, off-task, impolite participation will significantly lower your grade. Cell phones, iPods, etc., are prohibited, as are food and beverages other than water. Sleeping during films is not allowed, just so you know.

Consequences:
Deadlines: The best learning occurs when student work is done on time; late work is only accepted for half credit, regardless of reason/excuse/explanation.

Academic Dishonesty: Ethical academic behavior is extremely important. School academic dishonesty rules apply. Instruction on citation will be part of this class; questions concerning documentation and avoiding plagiarism will happily be answered by the teacher during the drafting process.

Expectations of Quality: I reserve the right to ask you to redo an assignment if it is not of an acceptable quality.

Absences/Tardies: The simplest way for students to boost their achievement is to be in class on time every day. Irregular attendance or tardiness will adversely affect grades. Missing a quiz, homework, or in-class essay because of an unexcused absence will result in a zero for that assignment. If an absence is unavoidable, it is the student's responsibility to get assignments for the days missed. Make-up for tests and homework must be arranged within two-days of your return to school. In the case of anticipated absences, make-up work must be arranged prior to the absence to receive credit.

Grading scale:
100-93% A 79-77 C+ 69-67 D+
92-90 A- 76-73 C 66-63 D
89-87 B+ 72-70 C- 62-60 D-
86-83 B 59-0 F
82-80 B-



• “A” work represents achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.
• “B” work represents achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.
• “C” work represents achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.
• “D” work represents achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.
• “F” represents failure and signifies that the work was either completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or was not completed. Academic dishonesty in any portion of the academic work for a course shall be grounds for earning a grade of “F” for the course.

Policy on Scholastic Misconduct:
Scholastic misconduct is broadly defined as “any act that violates the rights of another student in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work.” Scholastic dishonesty includes, (but is not necessarily limited to); cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student’s work.

Edline

Grades will be sent to Edline after every unit – that’s how you’ll learn your quiz and viewing guide scores. I will also post major assignments, due dates, and helpful links. Please take advantage of this feature.

Keeping in Touch:

If you have any questions or feel as though you need additional help throughout the semester, please ask! My first priority is helping you be successful in this class. I am available most days before and after school in my classroom. Please call or email with any questions or concerns, and know that you can always check the class blog for information about the course. I’m looking forward to sharing a productive and enjoyable semester together!

Ms. Rachel Hatten
Room 280
952-848-3843
ractholen@edina.k12.mn.us