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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 210-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Cinema (This course carries 3 semester hours of credit.)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Marco Ferrari
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 9:00-11:00 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed as an introduction to the art, history, and business of film. It presents an introduction to film aesthetics and the formal properties of film, locating specific styles and narrative forms within specific classical and alternative film movements. Film theories and critical strategies for the analysis of film will be investigated. The course will be divided into weekly screenings and lectures.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into weekly screenings and lectures.

Course Home Page
http://moodle.johncabot.edu/

Required readings, guides, assignments and in-class material will be posted on Moodle along with auxiliary readings and points of reference that can help further understanding. Additional material may be distributed in class and uploaded onto the course home page.Since Moodle is not integrated with the school database, and with the class roster, you will have to create your own account, if you do not have already one. Once you have an account, you will have to enroll in this course by using the enrollment key.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will learn how to discuss the principal formal and technical properties of film. They will develop an ability to discuss and analyze film as an artistic, industrial, and socio-cultural phenomenon. They will gain an awareness of the different contexts surrounding film production and exhibition, and the relationship between popular, documentary, and avant-garde production. They will be able to trace a history of film narrative and participate in debates including the race, gender, and the ideology and ethics of cinema.

By the end of this course, students will be better skilled in:
- Watching, describing and analyzing films.
- Reading and critically assessing academic literature on films and cinema.
- Researching, drafting, editing and writing an academic essay.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Film Art: An Introduction; 11th Edition US or International EditionBordwell & ThompsonMcGraw-HIll978-1259534959 *Please note that an International Edition of Film Art exists and if you buy from any of the Amazons outside of the US there is a good chance that is the version you will be getting. If you are buying a new book make sure you get the 11th Edition (updated and has better resale market value). Also, there are Kindle editions (and other e-book editions with other sellers or possibly on Bordwell and Thompsons personal blog) which are equivalent. In non-US Amazon you can only buy the Kindle version. In Amazon US you can also rent at a much lower price.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-class Presentation 10
Short Paper  15
Video Essay 15
Midterm Exam 20
Final Exam 20
Attendance, Discussion, Screening Notes 20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and punctuality are absolutely crucial. Unexcused absences will result in an F (Fail) grade for Attendance & Participation. More than 5 unexcused absences will result in failing the course. If unexcused, a tardy of more than 10 minutes will be counted as an absence. Screenings are mandatory and cannot be guaranteed to be available outside of class.

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

note: schedule is subject to change

Week 1
Introduction to Cinema: History, Art and Moving Pictures

Week 2
Dramatic Narrative, Classical Hollywood Cinema, Narration and Point of View

Week 3
Editing: Continuity and Discontinuity

Week 4
The Take and Montage

Week 5
Cinematography and Camera Movement

Week 6
The Image: Mise-en-Scene, Space, Composition, Light, Color

Week 7
Sound in Cinema

Week 8
Modernist Narrative/Narrative Space

Week 9
Non-Narrative Cinema: Documentary

Week 10
Feminist Film

Week 11
Political Film

Week 12
Post-Classical & Independent Cinema

Week 13
Art Cinema, Avant-Garde Film & Video Art

Week 14
Expanded Cinema & The Cinematic Turn

Week 15
Looking Back/Moving Forward

Fine