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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 210-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Cinema (This course carries 3 semester hours of credit.)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2022
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Barbara Ottaviani Jones
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00 PM 8:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is designed as an introduction to the art, history, and business of film. This course involves study of popular and art cinemas in the world, contextual issues in film, authorship, and realism. It presents an introduction to film aesthetics and the
On occasion, films will feature uncomfortable material. Feel free to step out of class if material is too triggering. Be sure to communicate your concerns with me so we can come up with a manageable plan.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn how to discuss the principal form and technical properties of film. They will develop an ability to discuss and analyze film as an artistic, industrial, and socio-cultural point of view. They will gain an awareness of the different contexts surrounding film production and exhibition, and the relationship between popular, documentary, and avantgarde production. They will be able to trace a history of film narrative and participate in debates including the race, gender, and the ideology and aesthetics of cinema. By the end of this course, students will be better skilled in:
- Watching, describing, and analyzing films.
- Reading and critically assessing academic literatures on films and cinema.
- Researching, drafting, and writing an academic essay/video essay.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Film Art: An Introduction | D. Bordwell-K. Thompson | Mc Graw Hill | 1260056082 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 1. Attendance and discussion | Attendance and discussion in the class are absolutely vital. Students are expected to be engaged and participating fully. | 20% |
| 2. Screening notes AND questions/observations (weekly) | Critical analysis screening noted of the films must be submitted to Moodle or Turnitin (in PDF or Word format only). Students are required to provide a short question or observation based on the reading by 5pm on Wednesdays. | 20% |
| 3. Short Papers (3) | Short Paper 1: Scene Description (DUE WEEK 3) 5%
Describe, using cinematic language, a scene from one of the films covered so far.
Short Paper 2: Chose one element (DUE WEEK 5) 10%
Examine a single element or theme (as color, prop, camera, sound) in one of the films covered so far and find 3 specific example to analyze.
Short Paper 3: Chose one single scene (DUE WEEK 9) 10%
Examine a single scene form one for the film covered so far in class and find 3 distinct but interrelated filmic elements about to analyze. For example, a scene might use camera movement, costume, and sound together to drive the narrative. The paper will discuss how these three aspects work together.
| 25% |
| 4. Final project outline (DUE WEEK 9) | A one-page outline for the final paper/project, previously discussed and approved is required. | 5% |
| 5. Final research paper/video essay (DUE WEEK 13) | Choose between 2500-3000 words essay or a 5-8 min long video essay (mainly for students with technical skills in productions). In addition, create a GIF based on the film(s) from your final project outline that highlights your topic of interest. The assignment must include a short description of the GIF and what it shows.
APA or MLA formatting should be used for in-text citations and bibliography.
OPTION 1: Write a research paper that is appropriate to the course material and that fits the thematic focus of the semester. The topic is open, but may focus on a film, a number of related films, a director, a genre, a style of filmmaking, music, costuming, etc. You cannot use a film already discussed in the textbook.
OPTION 2: Submission of an analytical video essay. The topic is open but must fit the thematic focus of the semester. It may focus on a film, a number of related films, a director, a genre, a style of filmmaking, music, costuming, etc. You cannot choose films already discussed in the textbook.
NOTE: STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THE FINAL PROJECT TO PASS THE COURSE
EXPLANATION GRADES:
| 30% |
-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 REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
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 ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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D. Bordwell-K. Thompson, “Film Art: An Introduction”: Mc Graw Hill.
The Oxford History of World Cinema
Other books or PDF material will be provided on Moodle or from the library database.
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