Film Studies (FILM) 333 - Lecture 01
Film Theory after 1950
Fall 2006
Lab: Monday 11:00-1:50 or Tuesday 2:00-4:50 Lecture: Wednesday: 11:00-12:50  

Instructor:	Dr. Malek Khouri
Office Location:	SS 350
Office Phone:	(403) 220-7339
E-Mail:	khouri@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	By appointment

Course Description

This is a compulsory course for students in the Film Studies Minor. It is also an introductory course that examines basic questions of film theory, aesthetics and criticism, and is primarily intended for students with an interest in pursuing further study of the discipline.

The course outlines and analyzes various theoretical perspectives that have shaped our understanding of film in the second half of the past century. It is organized to include lectures as well as seminar format discussions.

Since this course is organized around readings as well as the lectures, students are expected to come to class having read the weekly assigned material. They are also expected to partake in class discussions. This is a demanding course on all levels and requires commitment and engagement on the part of students. The films will be discussed in relation to the readings and the lectures.

Most of the films that will be shown are classical and complicated films of critical relevance to the material discussed. Some of them have subtitles, and may not be "fun to watch." Please keep in mind that you are in this class to learn, and not to rehash what you already know.

There will be five un-announced quizzes. The overall mark for these quizzes will amount to 20% of the final mark on the course. It the responsibility of the student to be at class at all times, and to watch the films on regular basis. No excuses will be accepted for missing classes and not seeing the films unless in emergency situations that should be officially documented by the student. Objectives of the Course

Objectives of the Course

The objective of this course is to map out connections between specific arguments proposed by film theories and theorists, and to reflect upon identifiable film practices. Emphasis will be on developing critical and analytical skills necessary to the study of film as an academic discipline through close analysis of films and theoretical writings. This approach will facilitate students with a foundation for understanding the history and dynamics of theorizing cinema; it will also help them develop better appreciation of the impact of film theory on film practices. Through weekly reading assignments, discussions and regular film screenings, students will have the opportunity to build their own proficient and competent skills in film analysis.

Textbooks and Readings:

Film Theory: An Introduction. By Robert Stam. Blackwell Publishers: Malden, Massachusetts, 2005. This textbook for the course is available at the University Bookstore.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment. All course assignments must be completed in order to pass the course. Topics for the assignments will be handed out in class. There are no extensions for essays and no rewrites.

Assignment 1 (value 20%): Length is two pages maximum/minimum and based on 275 words per page. Due date: Wednesday October 4, 2004.

Assignment 2 (value 20%): Length is four pages maximum/minimum and based on 275 words per page. Due date: Wednesday November 8, 2006).

Quizzes (value 20%).

Fianl examination (value 40%). It is anticipated that this exam will be divided between point-form answer questions (including questions on designated readings and lectures) and short sentence answers.

TOTAL 100 Marks

Note: Please return assignments directly to the 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 wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

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

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. 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 (SS110) 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/info

"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.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

Week of Sept. 11: Introduction

Week of Sept. 18: Structuralism and Film Language. Screening: Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958). Reading: pp. 102-123 Week of Sept. 25: Ideology, Brecht and the Left Turn in Film Theory. Screening: Weekend (Jean-Luc Godard, 1967). Reading: pp. 130-140 and pp. 145-150 Week of Oct. 2: First Assignment due Wednesday October 4, 2006). Reflexivity Screening: The Dreamers (Bernardo Bertolucci, 2003) Reading: pp. 150-158 Week of Oct 9: (Thanksgiving Monday) Psychoanalysis. No Screening. Reading: pp. 158-169

Week of Oct. 16: Feminist Film Theory. Screening: Rebecca (Alfred Hitchcock, 1940) Reading: pp. 169-179

Week of Oct. 23: Textual analysis and Intertext. Screening: Touch of Evil (Orson Wells, 1958) Reading:pp. 185-192 and pp. 201-212 Week of Oct. 30: Cultural Studies Screening: V for Vendetta (James McTigue, 2005). Reading: pp. 223-234 Week of Nov. 6: Second Assignment due on Wednesday November 8, 2006). Theorizing Difference. Screening: Y tu mama...tembien (Alfonso Cuaron, 2001). Reading: pp. 262-281 Week of Nov. 13: Reading days (Monday and Tuesday: No Screening). Cognitive Theory. Reading: pp. 235-247

Week of Nov. 20: Third World Cinema and Post-colonial Theory Screening: Paradise Now (Hani Abu-Assad, 2005). Reading: pp. 281-291 and pp. 292-297

Week of Nov. 27: Postmodernism. Screening: Moulin Rouge! (Baz Luhrmann, 2001). Reading: pp 298-307 Week of Dec. 4: Cinema, New Media and Digital Theory. Screening: to be confirmed later. Reading: pp. 314-330.