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Course: MW 12:00 - 2:50 pm Tu 12:00 - 12:50 pmCourse Location: Black Hall 152

INSTRUCTOR:Melissa A. Johnson Office: Black Hall 225-24 Office Hours: MTuW 9:00 - 10:00 am or by appointment E-mail: MJohnson@cwu.edu

Required MaterialsHistory of Narrative Film, 4th Ed. [by David Cook]

Utilized for:• Quizzes • Online Discussions• Film Analysis Essay • Announcements

WEE

K 1 [Tu: 01/06] Introductions

[W: 01/07] Foundations[Due: 01/07] Discussion Starters Sign-Up

TOPICS: Introductions, Foundations

Required Films• Intolerance (1916)• The General (1926)• It Happened One Night (1934)• Casablanca (1942)• Some Like It Hot (1959)• The Graduate (1967)• Apocalypse Now (1979)

• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)• Pulp Fiction (1994)

[Film availability listed on Canvas under “Required Material”]

Utilized for:• Send ALL E-mail through Outlook or Canvas• Announcement notifications

Utilized for:• Renting/Viewing required films

COURSEEXPECTATIONS:

OBJECTIVES:• Develop an awareness of key films and film movements in narrative film history • Understand and apply the language of film • Produce texts that demonstrate visual literacy• Determine and assess the arc of narrative film history • Participate in a community interested in discussing/ analyzing films beyond the surface level of narrative and character. • Relate films to their historical and cultural contexts • Determine and assess key aspects of film aesthetics as reflected in individual films • Develop a deeper appreciation for cinema as an art form

[This will be a fun class, because we are studying movies! However, you may be exposed to films that differ from what you are used to seeing. We will chal-lenge each other to be active, critical participants in the film experience, and we’ll explore how to talk about movies without getting stuck in the narrow duality of “like/dislike.”]

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K 3 Film: The General (1926)

Reading: Chapter 6

[Tu: 01/20] Lecture, Discussion[W: 01/21] Lecture, Discussion[Due: 01/21] Quiz 2

TOPIC: Hollywood 1920s

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K 2

Films: Select Shorts, Intolerance (1916)Reading: Chapters 1, 2, 3

[M: 01/12] Lecture, Shorts, Intolerance[Tu: 01/13] Lecture, Discussion[W: 01/14] Lecture, The General[Due: 01/14] Quiz 1

TOPICS: Origins, Int’l Expansion, D.W. Griffith & Dev of Narrative Form

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K 4 Films: It Happened One Night (1934)

Reading: Chapters 7, 8

[M: 01/26] Lecture, It Happened One Night[Tu: 01/27] Lecture, Discussion[W: 01/28] NO CLASS: Faculty Development Day[Due: 01/28] Quiz 3

TOPICS: Sound and Color 1926-1935

MORE COURSEEXPECTATIONS:CITIZENSHIP:uCONDUCT: Students whose conduct is disruptive or disorderly (e.g., disrespectful or hostile posts on Canvas*) will be reprimanded. In some cases, a student may be asked to leave the Canvas class and the incident may be reported to Student Affairs. (See CWU’s policy in Appendix B of the catalog.)

[*Students are encouraged to express differing views and to challenge one another, but posts that attack individual perspectives, practices, or ideas in a disrespectful way will be removed and no credit will be awarded.]

LATE WORK POLICY:There are many reasons for missing any particular assignment. This class does not distinguish between excused and unexcused work. If you miss a due date, check the syllabus, visit Canvas, and contact a classmate about the work so you don’t fall behind. You will be held responsible for any work assigned while you are “absent.” No late work is accepted; if you miss a deadline, you will miss the opportunity to earn points for any work due on that day. Students should login to Canvas MTuW to meet deadlines and access course materials.

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K 7

Film: The Graduate (1967)Reading: Chapter 20

[Tu: 02/17] Lecture, Discussion[W: 02/18] Lecture, The Graduate[Due: 02/18] Film Analysis Essay, Proposal

TOPICS: Hollywood 1965-1995

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K 5 Film: Casablanca (1942)

Reading: Chapters 10, 11

[M: 02/02] Lecture, Casablanca[Tu: 02/03] Lecture, Discussion [W: 02/04] Lecture, Discussion [Due: 02/04] Quiz 4

TOPICS: Modern Sound Film, US 1940-1951 W

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6 Film: Some Like It Hot (1956)Reading: Chapter 12

[M: 02/09] Lecture, Some Like It Hot[Tu: 02/10] Lecture, Discussion [W: 02/11] Discussion 8[Due: 02/11] Quiz 5

TOPICS: Hollywood 1952-1965

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K 9

Films: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)Reading: Chapter 21

[M: 03/02] Lecture, Fast Times at Ridgemont High[Tu: 03/03] Lecture, Discussion[W: 03/04] Lecture, Pulp Fiction

TOPICS: Hollywood Enters the Digital Age

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K 8

Film: Apocalypse Now (1979)Reading: Chapter 20

[M: 02/23] Lecture, Apocalypse Now [Tu: 02/24] Lecture, Discussion[W: 02/25] Lecture, Discussion[Due: 02/25] Quiz 6

TOPICS: Hollywood 1965-1995, con’t

TOPICS: Digital Era and beyond, Final Projects

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K 1

0

Film: Pulp Fiction (1994)

[M: 03/09] Lecture, Discussion [Tu: 03/10] Lecture, Discussion[W: 03/11] Film Analysis Essay Discussion[Due: 03/11] Quiz 7

FINALS WEEK:

DATE: TBDLOCATION: Black Hall 152

uFILM ANALYSIS ESSAYS: Film Analysis Essays will be due no later than the end of our schedule final exam time (to be determined by the university - look for an announcement toward the end of the quarter). Essays will be submitted on Canvas using the link provided in our final course module.

ASSIGNMENTS:

QUIZZES:It is important to understand and become familiar with the language and history of film. Over the course of the quarter we will be covering many concepts from the history of narrative filmmaking. Every week you will take an online quiz that will cover the chapter content from the week. Each week may cover more than one chapter and will challenge your understanding of the readings and the assigned films. The quizzes are due every Wednesday. Specific dates are posted on the syllabus. Quizzes are available until noon on each due date. [30% of total grade]

FILM ANALYSIS ESSAY:Each student will write an essay that uses an historical and cultural approach to analyze the aesthetic and narrative components of a film from an era of film history. This essay will be analytical, thesis-driven, and will require additional scholarly and film research. The purpose of this assignment is to formulate an argument using the theory and vocabulary covered in the corresponding chapter(s). An essay template (for formatting reference) is posted on Canvas. Each student will submit a proposal for the film analysis essay during Week 7 of the quarter. Guidelines for both the proposal and the final essay are available on Canvas. If you ever have concerns about the direction of your essay, you may ask me. Your essay should be formatted according to MLA guidelines; it should be posted on Canvas using the link provided. These essays will be evaluated on content as well as mechanics. [25% of total grade]

EVEN MORE COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

E-MAIL POLICY:uSENDING: E-mails should be sent via Canvas (for best results) and should come through your Outlook account. E-mails should include the course, student name, and a subject. E-mails sent regarding assignments should arrive at least 24 hours before the deadline (noon on the due date) to allow for a reasonable response. uRESPONSE: E-mails sent during our course week (M-Th) should expect a response within 24 hours. E-mails sent on the weekend (Fri-Sun) should expect a response within 24 hours of the start of a new week. Responses will not be sent after 5 pm on any given night. Due dates aren’t negotiable, but materials are available at least one week prior to each deadline. You should plan your time accordingly to allow for question and a reasonable response time from your instructor.

WRITING POLICY:This course is a WRITING course and therefore relies on the University’s Writing Program policy. All work will be evaluated based on the Writing Program expectations.

EVEN MOREASSIGNMENTS:

FILM VIEWINGS:The film viewings are mandatory. Even if you have seen one or more of the required films, it is important that you view them again within the context of this class and the corresponding chapters. You must view all films, not just those you are completing a film analysis essay on. Additional participation points will be given on Film Viewing days. Failure to attend 3 film viewings will result in a failing grade for the course.

Additional “recommended” films will be provided each week.

If you wish to set up academic adjustment in this class, please provide a copy of your “Confirmation of Eligibility” so we can discuss how to implement the approved adjustments. Center for Disability Support office, Bouillon 205, www.cwu.edu/~dss/cms, or 963-2171.

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A demonstrable case of plagiarism will likely result in a failing grade for the paper and may result in a failing grade for the class. (See CWU’s policy on academic dishonesty in Appendix B of the Undergraduate Catalog.)PL

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SMMORE COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

CANVAS POLICY:uCanvas is an integral part of our course (being the primary means of access to and completion of assignments). Students should access Canvas on a daily basis (M-W).

uCanvas content is broken into weekly modules. All due dates, links to assignment submission, course documents, and all other important information are available through the course modules on Canvas. Modules are available at least one week prior to the first due date for the week in question (note: materials may disappear after the due date and may not be available after that time).

uAll assignments (unless otherwise noted) should be submitted on Canvas (through a number of different means) by the noon deadline on the posted due dates.

EVEN MORE COURSEEXPECTATIONS:

CANVAS POLICY:uCanvas is an integral part of our course (being the primary means of access to and completion of assignments). Students should access Canvas on a daily basis (M-W). uWeekly content is broken into modules. All due dates, links to assignment submission, course documents, and all other important information are available through the course modules on Canvas. Modules are available at least one week prior to the first due date for the week in question.uAll assignments (unless otherwise noted) should be submitted on Canvas (through a number of different means) by the noon class meeting time on the posted due dates.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:There are many reasons for missing any particular session. This class does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. As such, three absences are not counted against your Participation & Attendance score (although you may lose points for activities, participation, or assignments from a missed day). For each absence beyond the third, a student loses 4 points. It is possible to have a negative Participation score. If you do miss class, check your syllabus, visit Canvas, and talk with a classmate about that day’s lesson. You will be held responsible for completing any work assigned while you are absent. Some assignments may not be made up (i.e. Film Viewings, Discussion Starters).

MOREASSIGNMENTS:

PARTICIPATION:uDAILY: Students are expected to be prepared on a daily basis with questions and analyses of the terms and concepts from the readings . When not speaking, students should be attentive and courteous. uDISCUSSION STARTERS: Throughout the quarter students will lead our class discussion by sharing discussion starters. Disc. starters should be printed and brought to class on the assigned date. Disc. starters should critically examine a concept/element from the film and/or corresponding chapter(s), and should prompt an open-ended class discussion. Each student will be assigned five discussion starters to share with the class. Discussion starters will be evaluated on content as well as mechanics.uFILM LABS: The film viewings are mandatory. Even if you have seen one or more of the required films it is important that you view them again within the context of this class and the corresponding chapters. Attendance will be taken at each viewing. Students will earn points for each viewing. [30% of total grade]

EVEN MOREASSIGNMENTS:

FILM ANALYSIS ESSAY PROPOSAL:During the 2nd week of the summer session students will sign up for their FILM ANALYSIS ESSAY and propose the parameters essay. Instructions for the proposal will be posted on Canvas. This assignment will require additional film use and research. The purpose of this assignment is to formulate an argument using the theory and vocabulary covered in the corresponding chapter(s). Additional information will be posted on Canvas. The proposal will be evaluated on content, presentation, and mechanics. [15% of total grade]

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

GRADE POINTS:uParticipation: 30%uQuizzes: 30%uFilm Analysis Proposal: 15%uFilm Analysis Essay: 25%uTOTAL: 100% total

GRADE SCALE:A 95-100%A- 90-94%B+ 87-89%B 84-86%B- 80-83%C+ 77-79%C 74-76%C- 70-73%D+ 67-69%D 64-66%D- 60-63%F below 60%