Film Studies (FILM) 405 - Lecture 01
International Science Fiction Since 1965
Winter 2007
T 09:30 -12:20 B01; R 11:00-12:50 L01  

Instructor:	Prof. George Melnyk
Office Location:	SS 218
Office Phone:	220-7562
E-Mail:	gmelnyk@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	T 10:00 - 10:50 and by appointment

Course Description

This course is an examination of the science fiction genre as it has developed internationally over the past 40 years. Because this genre has been a staple in film since the silent era it has developed a number of conventions, which this course will explore in detail. At the same time, the film genre of science fiction, which is closely allied to science fiction literature, expresses cultural diversity through various national cinemas which have their own distinct cultural grammars and concerns.This course seeks to articulate these differences in order to understand how convention and national difference interact to create distinct variants of the genre. The course will use British, American, Australian, Canadian and Russian examples.

Because this course deals with films that cover a 40-year period, various technological developments in special effects and digitalization will be studied to assess how the genre has evolved during that time period. As well, the course will discuss how historical changes in cultural values have made an impact on the genre in such areas as the portrayal of gender, violence, and alternate realities.

An important aspect of the course will be a discussion of the visionary role of directors, especially auteur ones, in articulating the boundaries of the genre and its possibilities.

Objectives of the Course

Guide students in understanding the genre through an interdisciplinary framework including history, literature and technology. Introduce students to science fiction styles beyond Hollywood. Develop a cultural studies approach to film criticism. Assist students in deconstructing national cinematic grammars.

Textbooks and Readings:

The course has two textbooks that are required reading.

TECHNOPHOBIA: Science Fiction Vistions of Post Human Technology by Daniel Dinello (University of Texas Press, 2005)

LIQUID METAL: The Science Fiction Film Reader ed. by Sean Redmond (Wallflower Press, 2004)

Assignments and Evaluation

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

The course work will consist of three assignments and a grade for class participation. The first assignment will be a 2500 word essay on a film in the course (due Feb. 27, 2007) worth 30 per cent of the final grade. The second assignment will be a mid-term in-class test (March 8, 2007) worth 30 per cent of the final grade. The third assignment will be a 2500 word essay (due April 05, 2007) comparing three films from three different national origins screened in the course (excluding the film discussed by the student in the first assignment) also worth 30 per cent of the final grade. Essay assignments are due at the beginning of each class. Because the course will be conducted in a seminar format, class participation by the student will be worth 10 per cent of the final grade.

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: No

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 will be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late, unless supported by documentary evidence of a personal health emergency.No assignments will be accepted after April 13. Failure to write the mid-term test will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment. An alternative may be substituted by the instructor in cases of documented medical emergency.

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

A detailed course outline, including the films to be viewed, will be handed out at the first class.