Film Appreciation Communication 1375 Instructor: Jeremy Hawa, Adjunct Professor Office: COMM 103 Phone: (817) 939-8303 E-mail: jeremy.hawa@lamar.edu Office Hours: T-Th 2:20 pm-3:40pm Text: Looking at Movies: An Introduction to film by Richard Barsam W.W Norton & Company, Inc. 5 th edition (2015) Course Description: Film Appreciation/COMM 1375 is a survey course in film studies. In the course, students will gain a working knowledge of the diverse artistic and practical elements that go into the making of a film. The overall philosophy of the course is to give students insight into both the technical aspects of film production and the creative and artistic application of those techniques. The course also examines film genre studies, film criticism, the international film scene, and the concept of media literacy. Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course students will be able to: explain primary technological aspects of audio operation and camera operation as related to film production; demonstrate the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities; understand works of film as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context; respond critically to works of film in the arts and humanities; engage in the creative process of interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of filmmakers; articulate and informed personal reaction to artistic works of film; develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the art of film; define the roles of, and describe the artistic contributions of film writers,
directors, cinematographers, editors, actors, and set designers; identify key developments in the evolution of film as an art form; demonstrate a knowledge of the role of film genre within the context of American film history; use the basic technical and artistic vocabulary of the film industry; demonstrate an awareness of the field of film criticism; demonstrate an awareness of their roles as active viewers of media; identify and recognize the contributions of both independent and foreign films; Communicate effectively in face-to-face and written modes in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. Course Assignments: 1. Exams: There will be one exam and one Final Paper. Test count 25% of your grade. Final paper counts 25% of your grade. 2. Film Observation/Analysis Journal: You will complete 2 film journals in the course. Each journal will consist of an analysis of one film in one of the areas of study which the course focuses on. (The production-oriented areas of study include: mise-en-scene, cinematography, film audio, editing, writing, and directing.) Film journals count 10% toward your overall grade. You may complete a fourth film journal for extra credit. 3. Participation: Participation is a vital element of this class. Attendance will contribute toward your final grade. ***More than 6 absences will result in a failing grade.***
Breakdown of Grades: Test 1: 25% Final Paper: 25% Film Observation/Analysis Journals 20% Class participation: 10% Grading Scale: 90-100% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D 50-59% F See additional information regarding Students with Disabilities and Academic Dishonesty policies following the Daily Schedule for the course. General Order of Topics I. Film: Mise en Scene READ: Barsam--Chapter 5. II. Film: Cinematography Rio Bravo Das Boot The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Apollo 13 Back to the Future Ferris Bueller s Day Off Rocky Annie Hall READ: Barsam--Chapter 6 The Seventh Seal Touch of Evil The Third Man Citizen Kane My Darling Clementine Gladiator Son of Frankenstein Raging Bull 12:00 High Starship Troopers Once Upon a Time in the West Woodstock. Chinatown Days of Heaven All the President s Men
III. Film: Sound READ: Barsam--Chapter 9. Blow Out Hiroshima Mon Amour The War of the Roses Sneakers The Conversation Citizen Kane The 39 Steps IV. Film: Editing READ: Barsam--Chapter 8 Intolerance The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Unforgiven Enemy of the State Breathless October Bonnie & Clyde The Birds V. Film: Directing READ: Barsam--Chapter 11 The Thing (1951) North by Northwest Don t Shoot the Piano Player Taxi Driver The Maltese Falcon Wild Strawberries Psycho Day for Night The Grapes of Wrath Obsession VI. Film: Writing for Film Network Hiroshima Mon Amour The Seventh Seal Jaws Space Invaders To Kill A Mockingbird 12 Angry Men Diner VII. Focus on Independent and World Cinema Quentin Tarrentino Robert Rodriguez Robert Altman Federica Fellini Ingmar Bergman Akira Kurasawa Alain Resnais Stanley Kubrick Francois Truffaut
Jean-Luc Goddard Fellini Satyricon: Cries and Whispers The Seven Samurai Ran Last Year at Marienbad Alphaville Desperado VIII. Focus on Types of Fictional Films & Genre READ: Barsam--Chapter 3 Giant Goldfinger Shane Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind Double Indemnity Detour Touch of Evil Breathless Blow-Up Wild Strawberries Rashomon Hiroshima Mon Amour A Clockwork Orange El Mariachi The 400 Blows Airport Goldeneye Unforgiven Earth vs. the Flying Saucers Out of the Past Body Heat Blade Runner
Students with Disabilities: For students with disabilities, this course will comply with all accommodations prescribed by the Lamar University Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to insure that the instructor has been informed of all prescribed accommodations. Academic Dishonesty: Students are specifically warned against all forms of cheating and plagiarism. The Lamar University Student Handbook states: Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. Punishable offenses include, but are not limited to, cheating on and examination or academic work which is to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. (81) One aspect of the Handbook s definition of cheating is, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring and submitting as one s own any research paper or other assignment (82). Students seeking guidance to avoid plagiarism should consult the course instructor, recent handbooks, or the University Writing Center. Punishments for academic dishonesty range from F in the course, to an F on the assignment, to re-submission of the work. Punishments are at the discretion of the faculty member, and may be appealed to the department chair, dean, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.Flagrant or repeat violations may warrant further discipline by the university including probation and suspension. Emergency Procedures Many types of emergencies can occur on campus; instructions for severe weather or violence/active shooter, fire, or chemical release can be found at: http://www.lamar.edu/about-lu/administration/risk-management/index.html. Following are procedures for the first two: Severe Weather: Follow the directions of the instructor or emergency personnel. Seek shelter in an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. If you are in a multi-story building, and you cannot get to the lowest floor, pick a hallway in the center of the building. Stay in the center of the room, away from exterior walls, windows, and doors.
Violence/Active Shooter (CADD): CALL - 8-3-1-1 from a campus phone (880-8311 from a cell phone). Note: Calling 9-1-1 from either a campus phone or cell phone will contact Beaumont City Police Dispatch rather than University Police. AVOID- If possible, self-evacuate to a safe area outside the building. Follow directions of police officers. DENY- Barricade the door with desks, chairs, bookcases or any other items. Move to a place inside the room where you are not visible. Turn off the lights and remain quiet. Remain there until told by police it is safe. DEFEND- Use chairs, desks, cell phones or whatever is immediately available to distract and/or defend yourself and others from attack.