Spring 2010 Syllabus

THEATRE 40: INTRODUCTION TO FILM
San Jose City College, Spring 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Hendel De La O
SECTION: 54785
TIME/PLACE: M/W: 1:10-3:00 PM, Little Theatre, WGHS
EMAIL: dhdelao@gmail.com
BLOG: threepointeau.blogspot.com

COURSE OVERVIEW
Introduction to Film Composition is modeled on an upper-division film analysis course; its goal is to acquaint you with a wide variety of films from cinema’s varied history. We will analyze major cinematic landmarks, movements, and genres, in both American and international film. In addition, we will study the various components that make up the medium of film, including acting, direction, narrative technique, and design. In viewing film as a craft, we will develop a critical, rather than passive, relationship with cinema. This semester, you will view a diverse group of films; an open and inquisitive mind will serve you well in this course.
COURSE WORK
By semester's end, you will have completed:

• 6 In-class Screening Reflections (ISRs)
• 6 Outside Screening Reflections (OSRs)
• 3 Journal Responses
• In-class Screening Reflections

In-class Screening Reflections (ISRs): You will be responsible for six ISRs. These are 2-page reflections on one film from each of the six units we will view in class: Road Films, Sports Films, Musicals, Documentaries, Gay Cinema, and Science Fiction. These are NOT reviews of the films we watch; instead, they are reflections of your thoughts on the films. ISRs are designed to promote critical thinking about films viewed in class, so explore any aspect of the film you wish, including lectures and discussions. I will provide an example early in the semester. These will be collected throughout the semester.

Outside Screening Reflections (OSRs): You will also be required to write six OSRs. These typed 2-page reflections function in the same manner as ISRs, with the primary difference being that they are based on film you view independently. Again, these are not film reviews; OSRs are also designed to promote critical thinking about films of your choice. Write one 2-page reflection for any six of the following periods or genres:

• Silent Era-1939
• 1940-1959
• 1960-1979
• 1980-Present
• Foreign Film
• Documentary Film

An OSR screening list will be posted online in the first week to guide your viewing. All six OSRs will be collected at once at the end of the semester.

Journal Responses: These three two-page journals will take you away from specific films to look at broader issues in the film industry, such as movie pirating.

Comprehensive Final Exam: Your final will consist of information from the readings, lectures, and in-class screenings. Be sure to take extensive notes throughout the semester.

GRADING
Simply put, the grade you earn is the grade you will receive. There may be little or no opportunity for extra credit in this course, so stay it is important you stay on top of assignments. Also, grades will never be rounded up unless mathematically appropriate.

Grading Breakdown:
Attendance and Participation: 10 pts
ISRs: 60 pts
OSRs: 60 pts
Journals: 30 pts
Comprehensive Final Exam: 40 pts
Total: 200 pts

EXPECTATIONS
Being that this class is conducted in a theatre, my expectations of you are as follows:

• Attend class regularly
• Adhere to classroom rules and etiquette
• Arrive in class each day prepared to work
• Engage in the learning process by thinking critically about the various films and discussion topics in class

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
It is important you come to class regularly to fulfill. All films are screened only once, and many of the films we will watch in are difficult to find, and once viewed, will not be shown again.

Please note that four absences will result in an automatic drop from the class.

POLICY ON LATE WORK
Unless previous arrangements are made with me, I will not accept any late work. If you must miss class on the day an assignment is due, email your work to me by 5PM. Please note that because of the nature of some work, not every assignment can be made up. Remember, the responsibility of staying up-to-date with your assignments is yours, not mine.

STANDARDS FOR PRESENTATION OF WORK
All typed work must be in MLA format. Look for online samples of presentation standards early in the semester. Unstapled work will NOT be accepted. Please follow this heading for all typed work:

Name

Theatre 40

Assignment

Date

Also, films should be cited as follows: Title (Director's Last Name, Year Country). Example: Jurassic Park (Spielberg, 1993 USA)

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting someone else’s ideas or work as your own. Copying ideas or text from your classmates, the Internet, books, or any other published content is unethical and against the law. This class will strictly adhere to SJCC policies on plagiarism. Violations will result in an automatic “F” for the assignment/test and/or failure in the course.

THREEPOINTEAU
I have created this class blog as a centralized location for assignments, reminders, important dates, links, and general class information. It also contains an easy to reference archive of the course work. At times there will also be information that only appears on this Website, so it is important to check it regularly.

FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE
Please note:

• Films are subject to change
• Refer to ThreePointEau for the most up-to-date information and schedule
• Accompanying readings will be posted on the website
• Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are due on Wednesdays

M 2.1/W 2.3: Introduction to Film
In-class: Syllabus review; Why Study Film?; Sharon Old’s “The Death of Marilyn Monroe”
Screening: City Lights (Chaplin, 1931 USA)

M 2.8/W 2.10: Road Films
In-class: “An Introduction to Road Films, Pt. I”
Screening: It Happened One Night (Capra, 1934 USA)
Due: OSR 1 (Silent Era to 1939)

M 2.15/W 2.17: Winter Break
NO CLASS: WGHS Winter Break

M 2.22/W 2.24: Road Films
In-class: “An Introduction to Road Films, Pt. II”
Screening: Thelma & Louise (Scott, 1991 USA)
Due: OSR 2 (1940-1959)

M 3.1/W 3.3: Sports Films
In-class: “An Introduction to Sports on Film, Pt. I”
Screening: Rocky (Avildsen, 1976 USA)

M 3.8/W 3.10: Sports Films
In-class: “An Introduction to Sports on Film, Pt. II”
Screening: The Wrestler (Aronofsky, 2008 USA)
Due: OSR 3 (1960-1979)

M 3.15/W 3.17: Musicals
In-class: “Musicals—An Overview, Pt. I”
Screening: Moulin Rouge! (Luhrmann, 2001 USA/Australia)

M 3.22/W 3.24: Musicals
In-class: “Musicals—An Overview, Pt. II”
Screening: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Burton, 2007 USA)
Due: OSR 4 (1980-Present)

M 3.29/W 3.31
NO CLASS: SJCC Spring Break

M 4.5/W 4.7 Documentaries
In-class: “A Survey of Documentary Film, Pt. I”
Screening: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son about His Father (Kuenne, 2008 USA)
Due: OSR 5 (Foreign Film)

M 4.12/W 4.14
NO CLASS: WGHS Spring Break

M 4.19/W 4.21: Documentaries
In-class: “A Survey of Documentary Film, Pt. II”
Screening: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (Gordan, 2007 USA)
Due: OSR 6 (Documentary Film)

M 4.26/W 4.28: Gay Cinema
In-class: “History of Gay Cinema, Pt. I”
Screening: The Talented Mr. Ripley (Minghella, 1999 USA)

M 5.3/W 5.5: Gay Cinema
In-class: “History of Gay Cinema, Pt. II”
Screening: Transamerica (Tucker, 2005 USA)
Due: Journal Response 1

M 5.10/W 5.12: Science Fiction
In-class: “Sci-Fi on Film, Pt. I”
Screening: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Jones, 2004 US)
Due: Journal Response 2

M 5.17/5.19: Science Fiction
In-class: “Sci-Fi on Film, Pt. II”
Screening: Moon (Jones, 2009 UK)
Due: Journal Response 3

M 5.24/W 5.26: Closing
In-class: Course Review; Final exam
Due: ISRs 1-6