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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CMS/ITS 243"
COURSE NAME: "Cinematic Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2023
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alberto Lo Pinto
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 11:10 AM 1:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An analysis of the social, aesthetic, political, and rhetorical implications of cinematic representations of Rome, from silent films to the present. This course will evaluate and discuss ten primary films, along with excerpts from a number of others. We will consider five main topics: Images of Ancient Rome; Before and After World War II; "Americans" in Rome, and Rome in America; Fellini’s Rome; and Urban Angst, Roman Style. As the semester progresses, we will consider how Rome functions as a "character" in the movies, as well as how The Eternal City comprises the mise-en-scène. We will assess the artistic representations of Roman monuments and streetscapes on movie sets, as opposed to location shooting. Special attention will be given to memory construction, as well as the rhetoric of "places and spaces" (how the physical/symbolic setting influences us). In this course, students will visit cinematic landmarks in Rome and write about their experiences.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course will evaluate and discuss a selected number of primary films, along with excerpts from a number of others. We will consider how Rome functions as a character in the movies, as well as how the Eternal City comprises the mise-en-scène. We will assess the cinematic representations of Roman monuments and streetscapes on both film sets and location shoots. We will visit film locations, film theaters (open and closed) and Cinecittà, the main Italian film hub.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Students will become familiar with critically acclaimed films that prominently feature Roman landmarks and streetscapes.
2. Students will develop their film criticism skills, with special emphasis on analysis of the mise-en-scène (film setting) and how the city influences filmmaking.
3. Students will learn about the development of Italian film industry, including the leading role of Cinecittà, and how it interacted with foreign film industries (in particular Hollywood).
4. Students will explore Rome using cinema as a guide.
5. Students will learn the key-elements of the urban, social and culture history of modern (post-unification) and contemporary Rome.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Presentation | An in-class presentation, which will be assigned at the start of the course. | 20 |
| Final Paper | The final paper will be on a film, a theme, or a place that was particularly dear to you during the course, the knowledge of which you would like to deepen with a little research. The final paper is at least 8 pages long and will require external research. Each student must discuss the topic of the final paper with me. The bibliography must consist of at least 3 articles. Please write the final paper using Times New Roman 12, double-space the text and leave a one-inch margin on all sides. Your papers must include your name in the title of the document, e.g. 'FrancescoTotti_1.doc'. Send your papers by e-mail to [email protected]. | 30 |
| Attendance/Participation | Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to regularly contribute to classroom discussion | 20 |
| screening notes | Screening notes are devised in order to assist you in remembering films and to make sure that you will have concrete examples with which to support your analyses and discussion. They are therefore an important aspect of the class. Students should --kindly-- not consider the screening notes as a simple journal exercise or a free form uncritical personal response to the films (i.e. it rocked, it was boring, etc). Rather, the notes should be a set of concrete observations, guided by key issues raised in the readings and lectures each week. Your notes should also provide a question or observation based on readings that can be discussed in class. In order to guide you in developing this skill, I will offer a number of questions/topics for you to think about when introducing the film screening. Email your screening notes to [email protected] to my e-mail address ([email protected]) (2 pages typed, double-spaced). Remember, developing this skill will improve your papers and exams as well as enliven class discussion. | 15 |
| Midterm Exam | The midterm exam will assess your knowledge of the topics and films discussed in class. | 15 |
-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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week 1 From Fascist Cinema to Neorealism: reinventing Rome
1 Istituto Luce urban renovations
2 Fascist Rome (Una giornata particolare)
3 Cinecittà visit
4 Rome open city
week 2 From Neorealism to Hollywood on the Tiber
1 Ladri di biciclette
2 Roman holiday
3 La dolce vita
4 La ragazza che sapeva troppo
week 3 Rome during the economic boom and over
1 Mamma Roma
2 L'eclisse
3 Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto
4 Caro Diario
week 4 From the center to the periphery
1 Sacro GRA
2 Amore Tossico
3 Suburra
4 Cinema a Roma visit
week 5 Contemporary Rome
1 Estate Romana
2 Mission impossible dead reckoning
3 Cinema America visit
4 La grande bellezza
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