JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 210-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Cinema (This course carries 3 semester hours of credit.)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Barbara Ottaviani Jones
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:00 PM 6:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

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:

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.

PART 1: Introduction & Early Cinema

Introduction and syllabus

For second class read and view:

1. “Early Cinema” in the Oxford History of World Cinema

2. “Film, Freud, and Paranoia: Dali and the Representation of Male Desire in ‘An Andalusian Dog’", Ignacio Javier Lopez. In J-store

3. http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2013/01/12/what-next-a-video-lecture-i-suppose-well-actually-yeah/

Wednesday

In class viewing:

1. “Early cinema in 2 minutes” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03-5Fufii4U

2. “The history of cinema: Silent Era” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYvZPCmeEO4

3. Orson Wells on Buster Keaton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIybE3UIpaU

4. “The Artist” (2011) – Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB9Oq0hn5KY

5. “A Chien Andalou” Luis Buñuel, Salvator Dali (1929) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh5ejkUL41E

6. “Meshes of the afternoon” Maya Deren (1943) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSY0TA-ttMA&t=1s

Monday

Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wednesday

PART 2: CINEMATIC LANGUAGE (DRAMATIC NARRATIVE AND CLASSICAL HOLLYWOOD CINEMA)

In class viewing:

BRINGING UP BABY (Howard Hawks, U.S., 1938) 102 min

Monday

Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wednesday

PART 3: EDITING **First Short Paper Due by Thursday 6pm**

In class viewing:

L'Année dernière à Marienbad (Alain Resnais, FR. 1961) 94m- released in the US as Last Year at Marienbad

Monday

Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wednesday

PART 4: MISE EN SCENE

In class viewing:

LA NUIT AMERICANE (François Truffaut, FR.1973) 116 min- released in US as Day for Nigh

Monday: Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wednesday:

PART 5: CINEMATOGRAPHY AND CAMERA MOVEMENT

** SECOND SHORT PAPER DUE BY THURSDAY AT 6PM**

In class viewing:

TOUT VA BIEN (Jean-Luc Godard, FR. 1972) 95 min – released in U.S. as Everything is Fine

Monday: Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wed PART 6: SOUND

In class viewing:

LA HAINE (Mathieu Kassovitz, FR. 1995) 98 min – released in U.S. as The Hate

Monday: Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wed: PART 7: GENRE/ VIDEO ESSAY TUTORIAL

In class viewing:

THE FIFTH ELEMENT (Luc Besson, FR. 1997) 126 min

Mond. March 7

Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wed: PART 8: AUTEUR THEORY

** THIRD SHORT PAPER DUE ON THURSDAY AT 6PM

In class viewing:

THE FRENCH DISPATCH (Wes Anderson, U.S.A. 2021) 103 min

Mond: Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wed: PART 9: FEMINIST FILM THEORY ** OUTLINE DUE ***

In class viewing:

CLEO DE 5 à 7 (Agnès Varda, FR. 1961) 90 min- released in U.S. as Cleo from 5 to 7

Mon: Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wed: PART 10: POST-COLONIAL FILM THEORY

In class viewing:

Le Premier Homme (Gianni Amelio, FR./ITA. 2012) 100 min- released in U.S. as The First Man

Mond: Weekly discussion questions and observations

WED: PART 11: NATIONAL CINEMA

In class viewing:

PLAYTIME (Jacques Tati, FR. 1967) 124 min

Mond: Eeekly discussion questions and observations

WED: PART 12: NEW HOLLYWOOD AND THE INDEPENDENT

In class viewing:

DEAD MAN (Jim Jarmusch, U.S.A.1995) 123 min

Mon: Weekly discussion questions and observations

Wed: PART 13: ANIMATED FILM

In class viewing:

WALL-E (Andrew Stanton, U.S. 2008) 97min

Final Examination Week

DUE Project s and Papers

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.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Film Art: An Introduction	D. Bordwell-K. Thompson	McGraw Hill	1259534952

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

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%
	1. Attendance and discussion (20%) Attendance and discussion in the class are absolutely vital. Students are expected to be engaged and participating fully. 2. Reflection Papers (weekly) (20%) 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 reflections based on the readings. 3. Short Papers (3) All short papers are 750 words. 1.5 spacing and 12- point font. The inclusion of images is encouraged where appropriate. 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. 4. Final project outline (DUE WEEK 9) 5% A one-page outline for the final paper/project, previously discussed and approved is required. 5. Final research paper/video essay (DUE WEEK 13) 30% 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.

-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 ____________

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

Film Studies: An Introduction (Film and Culture Series)- by Ed Sikov