1COM 221--Introduction to Film Dr. Kimberly Neuendorf Fall 2006 Office: MU 241 Class: MU 107, 10:00-11:50 am T-Th Office Hrs.: Tues. 3:00-5:00 pm, Wed. 1:00-4:00 pm and by appointment Office Phone: 687-3994 CSU Emergency Phone: x2111; CSU Escort Phone: x2020 email: [email protected] website: http://academic.csuohio.edu/kneuendorf Course Objectives This course is an introduction to the theory, history and practice of film--film as art, as industry, and as a language of sounds and images. The lectures are closely tied to the screenings, and are organized as a combination of the following perspectives: the "language," the genres, the history, the theory, and the industry. Screenings Nearly half the class time will be devoted to film screenings. The films are your PRIMARY TEXTS, not just entertainment. You will be required to think--seriously and critically--about what you are seeing. In short, an active (rather than passive) viewing is required. Exams will cover the screenings, as related to the lectures and readings. The instructor reserves the right to assign up to three out-of-class viewings, either for theatrically released current films, or for films available to rent on video. Required Readings 1. Prince, S. (2007). Movies and meaning: An introduction to film (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. 2. COM 221 Class Outlines—To be found ONLINE, updated intermittently. You’ll want to have the outlines with you during class. Again, the site is http://academic.csuohio.edu/kneuendorf (click on “Fall 2006, COM 221”). The website will also provide updated extra credit film lists, announcements, and other information and materials. 3. COM 221 Additional Readings—To be found ONLINE, updated intermittently. These readings are generally very short (1-3 pages), pulled from popular and trade publications. They are intended to give you more information about current and specialized topics in film. 4. Readings from the recommended Geiger and Rutsky book (see below) may be assigned as required or for extra credit, at the discretion of the instructor. The Geiger and Rutsky book will be on reserve at the CSU Library. Your weekly required reading assignments are attached to this syllabus. Required Viewings In addition to in-class screenings, the instructor may assign up to five out-of-class feature films. Such viewing assignments will be announced in class and posted on the class website. Out-of-class viewing may require paid admission to a theater. Recommended Readings 1. Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2004). Film art: An introduction (7th ed.). Boston: McGrawHill. 2. Geiger, J., & Rutsky, R. L. (2005). Film analysis: A Norton reader. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.23. Giannetti, L. (2005). Understanding movies (10th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Screening and Class Rules 1. Some of the films we see will come close to two hours in length. You are expected to see THE ENTIRE FILM, and may be tested especially on the beginning and the end, since these are often important parts of the film. Film running times are listed in the course outline; usually, a brief introduction will precede the film. 2. Each individual has a right to his/her own personal emotional response to a film. But remember that you are seeing these films in a classroom, not in your own home, nor in a movie theater! Therefore, students who publicly impose their inappropriate responses (whispering, open comments, cheers, boos, etc.) upon the other students in the class will be penalized through point deductions and/or being dropped/expelled from the class. However, laughter is an appropriate response to comedies, and is encouraged. The rustling of candy wrappers is not, contrary to popular belief, appropriate filmgoing behavior. Grading Grading is based on a midterm and a final exam, film logs, and completion of class activities.. Each exam is valued at 35% of your course grade. Class activities points will be given for a variety of in-class and out-of-class tasks, to be announced. Midterm exam 35% Final exam 35% Film viewing logs 15% Class activities 15% 100% Exams: Both exams will be entirely objective (multiple choice, matching, T/F). The final exam is primarily not cumulative. Sample exams will be posted on the class website. Film viewing logs: Each student is required to view three approved films, with completion of Viewing Logs for three different categories. Instructions and the current list of approved films are to be found on the class website, and some hard copies will also be available. The three required Logs are due during the last week of classes, and none will be accepted after that time. Additions to the list of approved films will be posted on the course website. Your instructor reserves the right to require other small assignments (including quizzes) that may replace a portion of one of the exams. Extra Credit Opportunities There are a couple of ways in which you can add points to your course total. No matter what type(s) of extra credit you complete, you may not receive more than 15 percentage points total in extra credit for the course. Two types of extra credit are available: (1) An extra credit paper, worth up to 10 percentage points (5-8 is the usual or typical addition). Papers may take several forms, but will usually be research reports from outside reading and viewing, graded according to the quality and depth of your treatment of the topic. More information about specific requirements for the paper is contained in an additional handout to be found at the course website. In all cases, you must submit a proposal BEFORE YOU BEGIN your project (due the class period after the midterm). Unapproved papers will not be accepted. Papers must be typewritten, double spaced on one side of the paper. All papers are due at the3final exam period, and none will be accepted after that time. (2) Outside viewing of approved films, with completion of Viewing Logs. (This is in addition to the three required Viewing Logs.) You may accumulate 1 percentage point (on occasion, 2 points) of extra credit for each film viewed and corresponding Log fully and correctly completed, with a maximum of 15 percentage points total. Instructions and the current list of approved films are to be found on the class website, and some hard copies will also be available. All extra