Dr. Karen U. Fulton,
Professor
Tel:
271-4317(work)1-660-582-8830 (home)
email: fulton@griffon.mwsc.edu
Office: Eder 222-H;
8:30-9, 12-1 MWF, 2-3 MW, other times by appointment
Dick, Bernard. Anatomy
of Film, 3rd edition. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998.
Leonard, Elmore. Out
of Sight. New York: Dell, 1996
Access to word
processor with spell-checker or a typewriter and a good dictionary
A 3 ring-binder and a
supply of punched 8-1/2" x11" notebook paper for class use. I will
check during our second session to make sure that you have this equipment; you
are required to bring it to all classes.
Materials will be distributed to you already punched. Class assignments,
responses, or other work completed on torn, spiral bound or ripped paper will
be penalized.
English 210 fulfills
Category IV General Studies requirements. These goals can be found on
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/genstud.asp. All English 210 sections provide
practice in reading poetry, prose fiction, and drama.
o Recognize the major characteristics of literary genres.
o Discuss literature, orally and in writing, with assurance.
o Appreciate literary works that are encountered.
o
Understand the different
ways in which literary themes may be treated in texts.
o Recognize major characteristics of the various film genres and the literature on which the films are based as well as the literature the films generate.
o Discuss films and film literature orally and in writing with assurance.
o Appreciate filmed literary works that you encounter.
o
Understand the
different ways in which a literary theme may be treated in film.
Valuing
Objectives:
·
Compare and contrast historical and cultural ethical
perspectives and belief systems as they appear in film;
·
Utilize cultural, behavioral, or historical knowledge of
film to clarify and articulate a personal value system;
·
Recognize the ramifications of one’s value decisions on self
and others;
·
Recognize conflicts within and between value systems; and
·
Recognize and analyze the effect of context on ethical
decisions.
o Read poetry, fiction, and drama.
o Investigate various methods of approaching and understanding literature.
o Write papers, including themes and essay examinations.
o
Read a variety of
literary works in which a chosen theme is dominant.
o View various film productions, read works on which films have been based, read a variety of criticism generated by film.
o Investigate various methods of approaching and understanding films and their literature.
o Complete written responses and quizzes on films viewed, as well as papers and essay examinations.
o
Read a variety of
critical and creative works on film or from which films have been made.
Valuing Means:
·
Improve ethical comparison/contrast skill by means of
writing about the belief systems expressed in the film;
·
Articulate in writing how a given film’s perspective
does/does not conform to the student’s personal value system;
·
Closely and carefully respond in writing to “decision”
films;
·
In written papers, articulate conflicts between value
systems and judgments shown; and
· In written tests analyze context and subtext of ethical decision
Attendance will be recorded at each session. Class work is distributed and usually completed during the same class session. This work is graded (see grading policies); the resulting points comprise one third of the final total. When assignments are turned in after class, students will complete and sign a rating sheet at the end of the hour. There is no *good* way to make up a missed session.
It is required that
students submit their own work. Students who are guilty of plagiarism or
cheating in any form will automatically receive a zero for the assignment
involved and will place themselves in jeopardy of failing the course.
Students having a disability
that might prevent their maximum performance in the class should make this
known to the instructor immediately so that provisions may be made for any
assistance needed.
o No cell phones, pagers, beepers or other electronic equipment are allowed in this classroom.
o Class begins at 3:00. Students who are not here when work is distributed will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.
o A sleeping student must leave and will receive an absence for the day.
o Conversation and whispering during the film is distracting to other students; a student engaging in either behavior must leave and will take an absence for the day. During the instructor's presentation of material, students should be listening and taking notes; it is rude (as well as distracting) to talk, whisper, etc. during this part of the class.
o When questions are asked, all students should listen carefully so that material does not need to be repeated.
o All work is due on time and in the format specified. If it does not conform to specifications or is late, it will be penalized.
o Class is not over until it is dismissed. It is your responsibility to pick up the material for the next class.
o You are responsible for any material handed out in class by the next class--you must be able to recall it and apply it.
o
You are expected to
take notes during the film to aid your ability to recall significant points.
Lights are kept on at low level.
False
Assumptions about this Class
Assumption 1: There
is no reading in the class; we only watch films.
False. There is actually quite a bit of reading in this
class. Anatomy of Film, a film text, provides terminology and film
background. You are responsible for the reading assigned and will be quizzed
over it.
The class will read a
novel (Out of Sight) prior to seeing the film based on the novel.
Other material will be
handed out at class.
Assumption 2: All
work is done in class; there is no homework.
False. You will be doing outside writing in the two
assigned papers, in the take-home portions of the final, in the take-home
mid-term, in web/library researches, and in the extra credit assignments if you
choose to do them.
Assumption 3: The
films have been chosen entirely based upon student enjoyment; therefore I will
like every film in this class.
False. While I hope you enjoy the majority of these
films, I primarily choose films based on their learning value and for the range
of the film experience they represent. Therefore, we will see silent films and several
films in black/white. If you are taking this class because you are a big fan of
"Dumb and Dumber" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and expect
class films to be similar, you may want to rethink your decision to take this
section of ENG 210. Because this class is offered as an English offering (as
opposed to a mass media one), the emphasis of this class falls on such things
as narrative plot and dialogue (as opposed to special effects.) See material on Values under objectives and
means.
Assumption 4: Every
film we see will be a comfortable experience for me; all films will reinforce
my moral (belief) system.
False. One of the goals of this class is to expose its
members to films that may challenge your preconceptions. While I don't try to
be "avant garde" of "cutting edge" in this class, I do try
to select some films that expose you to cultural, religious, and sexual points
of view that you may not have considered before or be comfortable with. If you
feel that you will have trouble being open to this kind of experience and
reflecting that openness in your written responses, you may want to rethink
your decision to take this section. See material above in Values Objectives and
Means.
Grading Policies
The class grade is
computed on the basis of 300 points divided into thirds.
o Class work (Responses, quizzes, information sheets) 100 pts total
o Two short papers 50 pts@ 100 pts total
o Tests 100 pts total
§
A take-home mid-term
@30 pts
§
A final examination
@70 pts
§ 10 points survey (all or nothing)
§ 50 point take-home portion
§ 20 point day of final written responses to clips
o
Total points possible
300 pts
Final grades are determined on a 10% scale; above 270 total points constitutes an "A" (300 minus 30 = 270 etc.) This final score will be lowered because of absences or late work.
Opportunities to earn
a maximum of 15 points extra credit are given during the second half of the
semester.
o Written work must be mechanically clean and formatted in structured paragraphs to receive full credit. Lack of paragraph form or errors in grammar and mechanics will result in deductions from the score.
o Individual written work can earn 5 to10 points each; the possible points will be given on the assignment. At the end of the semester, each student will have had the opportunity to amass a total of 110 points. The lowest 10 point score will be dropped for each student at the end of the semester, resulting in a total of 100.
o Written work completed on torn, spiral bound, or ripped paper will be penalized by a 2- point deduction from the grade.
o Some written work will be due after we view the film. Sometimes a short scene or shot is replayed followed you interpreting and analyzing specific components of the scene (usually covered in Anatomy of Film). Sometimes the prompts are distributed before viewing the movie so you can look for materials as you view the film. In either case, names of movies, actors, directors, characters, etc. must be spelled correctly to receive full credit. These cannot be made up.
o Some written work will take place at the beginning of the hour; these work sheets will ask you to recall material (terminology, etc.) from the Anatomy of Film. These quizzes will be short-answer or multiple choice. These cannot be made up.
o Some written work will be take-home in nature. At the film's conclusion, a response assignment will be given. These are due at the beginning of the next class period.
o
When a specific kind
of response (a paragraph) is indicated by the prompt, penalties will be taken
if the response is three paragraphs rather than one or if the paragraph is
underdeveloped.
o You will write two short papers (maximum 1000 words). These writings will give you a chance to reflect upon what you have viewed and to compose a full-length statement of your ideas.
o
Topics for these
papers will be assigned, but there are at least two options to choose from.
o Papers must be word processed or typed. Preparing your work on a computer with spell checker makes for an easier job; however, a cleanly typed copy is acceptable.
o These papers are expected to be in essay format with complete sentences, correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you are quoting, summarizing or paraphrasing reviews or other material, you must properly source such material within the paper and document such material in MLA style at the end.
o Each short paper is worth 50 points; a total of 100 points is possible.
o Due Dates:
Paper 1: September 17, 2001
Paper 2: November 7, 2001
o The mid-term exam will be a take-home examination due at the beginning of the hour on October 10, 2001. The midterm will be worth 30 points.
o The final exam will consist of three parts:
§
A take-home component
based on reading and viewing Out of Sight.
§ The question will be distributed on November 26, 2001.
§ The essay will be due November 28, 2001 at the last class.
§ A short answer examination at 2 pm on December 7, 2001 in response to clips of various films, and
§ An all-or-nothing survey of the class (worth 10 points)
§ Distributed November 26, 2001; due November 28, 2001.
Course
Procedures
Materials
Film-based materials
are distributed one session ahead. At the end of our first class, material for
next session's film will be distributed. You are responsible for mastering the
background material. It may be the basis for quizzes.
Your reading of the
assignment in Anatomy of Film must be completed prior to class. Quizzes
will be given to insure that you are keeping up with reading.
Agenda
Class will start on
time. This semester, this class has
been scheduled twice a week. Most
often, one of those sessions will be short (no more than 80 minutes). I am experimenting with scheduling to see
whether it works better to have the film after an introductory session or to
have a discussion session after the class has viewed the film. At least once this semester, we will view a
longer film in two sessions. I will be
asking you to evaluate all these plans (anonymously) to get feedback on what
works best.
At the beginning of
the semester, we are likely to start with a short (5 pt) quiz over the material
in Anatomy of Film.
The class will move to
a lecture by the instructor on the reading and how it applies to the film as
well as on the film itself. Depending upon the length of the film (and
films*are* getting longer), question time will follow.
If a film's length is
under 2 hours, we will view it with no break.
If a film's length is over
2 hours, we will take a short (no more than 5 minutes) break around the middle
of the film.
All classes will end
with you handing in your "rating" slip for the film.
You are expected to
keep a rating journal over the course of the semester, listing your own rating
as well as the class rating of the film and the IMDB rating (which will be
posted on the overhead from week to week).
This will enable you to compare your valuing of the film with others in
the class and within a worldwide context.