Dr. Karen U. Fulton,
Professor
Tel:
271-4317(work)1-660-582-8830 (home)
email: fulton@missouriwestern.edu
Office: Eder 222-H; M
10-12, T 10-12, W 1-2, other times by appointment
Dick, Bernard. Anatomy
of Film, 4th edition. New York: St. Martin's Press,2002.
Hornby, Nick. High Fidelity. New York: Riverhead
Books, 1995.
Nolan,
Christopher. Memento and
Following. New York: Faber and Faber, Inc., 2001.
Access to word
processor with spell-checker. All
papers must be word processed.
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.
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.
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 2:00. Students who are not here when work is distributed will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.
o A sleeping student will be noted and will receive an absence for the day and/or a deduction from the writing of that day.
o Conversation and whispering during the film is distracting to other students; a student engaging in either behavior will be noted and will take an absence for the day and or a deduction from the writing of that 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 and a film script in addition to seeing the films based on them and
writing will be completed that required you to have a sound knowledge of both.
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 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, dialogue (as opposed to special effects), and
genre.
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.
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 20 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 by 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 usually due at the beginning of the next class period, but you may be assigned to place them in my mailbox by the Friday of the week we have seen the film.
o
When a specific kind
of response (a paragraph) is indicated by the prompt, penalties will be taken
for not following instructions. For
example, if the response is three paragraphs rather than one, it will be
penalized. Likewise a paragraph of two
or three sentences with no supporting evidence can expect to get a low grade.
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 and spell checked. 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: February 12, 2002
Paper 2: April 16, 2002
o The mid-term exam will be a take-home examination due at the beginning of the hour on March 5, 2002. 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 High Fidelity.
§ The question will be distributed on April 30, 2002. The essay will be due at regularly scheduled final time.
§ A short answer examination at the regularly scheduled final time in response to clips of various films, and
§ An all-or-nothing survey of the class (worth 10 points) distributed April 23, 2002; due April 30, 2002.
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; a day’s agenda will be given on the overhead. 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.
ENG
210-07/08 Calendar
1. 1/15 Introduction to class. Syllabus distributed
and reviewed. View "Sherlock, Jr." (Keaton, 1924, 45 min.). Break.
Go over response questions and format.
View material on who does what on a film set.
2. 1/22 Read Anatomy of Film (AOF) pages 1-23, View
“Memento” (Nolan, 2001) Analyze a question
to determine what it is asking you to do.
Begin reading script of “Memento”. Your first paper will be over this
film (due 2/12).
3.
1/29 Read AOF pages 22-53 View “Dead Again”
(Branagh, 1991).
4.
View 2/5
Read AOF, pages 54-92, script of “Memento” should be done by today. Re-view “Memento” or “Dead Again” (class
will vote on 1/29)
5.
2/12 Read AOF, pages 92-116 View “Citizen
Kane” (Welles, 1941). Paper #1 (on
“Memento”) due.
6.
2/19 Read AOF, pages 117-147, View “L.A. Confidential”
(Hanson, 1998); mid-term specs handed out.
7.
2/26 Read AOF, pages 147-178, View “The Awful
Truth” (McCrarey, 1937)
8.
3/5 Read AOF, pages 179-215, View “Young
Frankenstein” (Brooks, 1974); mid-term due
9.
3/19 Read AOF, pages 216-239, View “Strictly Ballroom”
(Luhrmann, 1992)
10. 3/26 Read AOF, pages 247-279, View “Romeo and
Juliet” (Luhrmann, 1997)
11. 4/2 Read AOF, pages 280-292, View “Moulin
Rouge” (Luhrmann, 2001)
12. 4/9 Read AOF, pages 293-333, View “When We
Were Kings” (Gast, 1996)
13. 4/16 View film from list of eight: “Election” (Payne,
1999), “Frequency” (Hoblit,
2000), “Nurse Betty” (LaBute,
2000), “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” (Soderberg, 1989), “Sliding Doors” (Howlitt, 1998), “State and Main” (Mamet, 2001)
“Tequila Sunrise” (Towne, 1988) “Wonder Boys” (Hanson, 2000). Paper #2 due. During this week and the next, you need to be reading High
Fidelity.
14. 4/23 View second film from list of eight.
15. 4/30 Read High Fidelity prior to class; view
“High Fidelity” (Frears, 2000); survey due.
Topics handed out for final essay.
16. Final Tuesday, May 7 2:00 p.m. in classroom