Film Studies (FILM) 331-01
Film Theory to 1950
Fall 2008

Screenings (Labs): TU 12:30 - 15:20

Lectures TR 11:00 - 12:50

Location: TBA

 

Instructor:	Lee Carruthers
Office Location:	SS 223
Office Phone:	403-210-8858
E-Mail:	lee.carruthers@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	on Blackboard
Office Hours:	TBA

 

Additional Information

Important Note: As a course with a prerequisite, (FILM 201), this class assumes and requires your familiarity with basic film terms. For your reference, a 6-page Glossary of Formal Terms will be provided on Blackboard, under ‘Course Documents.' You are expected to use these terms, as appropriate, in class discussion and in your written assignments. If you have any questions about these terms (large or small), do not hesitate to ask! But do not ignore this essential requirement: it will directly impact your grade.

Viewing Requirements

This course has one weekly screening time (Tuesdays from 12:30 - 15:20 pm).

You are required to attend the screening so as to be prepared for the Thursday class. For repeat viewings and/or close analysis, the films are available for viewing at the Media Library (MacKimmie Library Block - Lower Level). Certain titles (though not all) may be available at local video stores, as well. These resources are not a substitute for the scheduled screenings, but may prove helpful for completing assignments.

Participation Requirements

Attendance and informed participation are essential components of this course and will help to determine your final grade. Please note that a percentage of your grade is based on participation. To this end, consistent contributions to in-class discussion are expected. This involves a simple task to be completed on a weekly basis, as follows:

After the Tuesday screening, go to the Blackboard site to submit a brief response to the film + weekly reading. There will be a general question or prompt there, for you to consider. Your response can be a paragraph or so in length; it should focus on a detail or raise a specific issue that you'd be willing to talk about in class. These responses are mandatory and must be submitted by Wednesday PM (no later). They will serve as a cue for Thursday's discussion.

 

Course Description

This course surveys the first broad phase of theoretical writings on cinema, sometimes referred to as ‘classical film theory.' As such, we will examine an extensive range of critical commentary, engaging with fundamental questions about the film medium: what is the proper material, or ‘essence' of cinema? What are its key methods and techniques? What forms can cinema take, and what are the medium's possibilities? What can be considered the purpose or value of cinema? How do films affect individual viewers and culture at large? By taking this course, students will become familiar with the significant concepts and debates that constitute classical film theory, while fulfilling the course aims outlined below.

 

Objectives of the Course

This course has four overlapping objectives:

1.     To become familiar with the core issues of classical film theory.

2.     To become a sophisticated reader, engaging closely and critically with film-theoretical texts.

3.     To discern relationships between the course readings and the weekly film screenings: what does each text reveal about the other?

4.     To write clearly and authoritatively about films and film-theoretical issues, and thus to share in ongoing debates about the medium.

Textbooks and Readings:

The main course textbook is Film Theory and Criticism (Sixth Edition), edited by Leo Braudy and Marshall Cohen (New York: Oxford U.P., 2004).  This text is available for purchase at the campus bookstore; readings from this text are designated as ‘FTC' on the weekly schedule. Older editions, where available, may also suffice- just ensure that the required readings are included in the edition you choose.

A number of additional readings will be posted on the course website, under ‘Course Documents'. These readings are also required, unless specified otherwise. They are listed on the reading schedule as ‘B' (for Blackboard).

 

Assignments and Evaluation

Grades will be determined as follows:

Quiz (on assigned readings)                     week 4             Oct. 2nd                              15%

Montage Assignment                              week7/8          Oct. 21^st & 23^rd                   20%    

Close Reading Assignment                  week 10             Nov.13th                                 25%    

Final Exam                                             -----               scheduled by registrar             30%

Participation                                                                weekly                                     10%

 

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  YES

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

 

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100
A	90-95.99
A -	85-89.99
B+	80-84.99
B	75-79.99
B-	70-74.99
C+	65-69.99
C	60-64.99
C-	55-59.99
D+	53-54.99
D	50-52.99
F	0-49

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see

The Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

A detailed schedule of film screenings and course readings will be made available at the start of term, on Blackboard.