Film Studies (FILM) 301.06 - Lecture 01
Topic in National Cinema
Cultural Anxiety in Japanese Film
Winter 2008
L01: MW 12:00-12:50, PF118
B01: M 2:00,170 minutes. MLB 45 (Image Centre
B02: T 9:30,170 minutes. MLB 45 (Image Centre) 

Instructor:	Yoko Riley
Office Location:	CH 210
Office Phone:	220-3993
E-Mail:	rileyy@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	www.ucalgary.ca/~rileyy
Office Hours:	W: 13:00-14:00 F: 14:00-15:00

 

Additional Information

Tentative Film Viewing Schedule - Labs 1 and 2 will be held in the Image Centre MLB 45.

Viewing scheduled Monday at 2:00 and Tuesday at 9:30 for two to three hours

Jan. 21, 22                 Rashomon
Jan. 28, 29                 Seven Samurai
Feb. 04, 05                Ugetsu Monogatari
Feb. 25, 26                Black Rain
Mar. 10, 11                Tokyo Story
Mar. 17, 18                Tampopo
Mar. 31, April 1          Shall We Dance
April 14, 15                Spirited Away

This course will examine film and its archetypes, which reveal the uniqueness of Japanese culture.

1. To develop an understanding of Japanese culture and civilization.

2. To demonstrate film Producers' disillusionment with the erosion of traditional values, resulting from the modernization of Japanese society.

3. To show how the Japanese film industry and Producers were influenced by the Western film industry.

4. To illustrate how filmmakers creatively and uniquely inserted Western ideals into traditional Japanese films without detracting from the distinctiveness of Japanese culture.

Objectives of the Course

To provide students with an introduction to Japanese culture and values through the medium of contemporary Japanese film and to develop an understanding of how to appreciate the uniqueness of Japanese movies.

Textbooks and Readings:

No textbook required. Manual and brief extract from Understanding Movies will be available on the blackboard.

Optional: Understanding Movies, (Third Canadian Edition) 2004, Prentice-Hall Canada Inc., Scarborough, Ontario.

Assignments and Evaluation

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

Some films might include violent and sexually offensive scenes. Since you are an adult, you are expected to be able to view these scenes analytically, however, if you believe that you cannot do so, you are free to view the films on your own and skip any scenes that offend you.

1. In Class quizzes: 60%  Eight quizzes are based on lectures, presentations, hand-outs and films. Seven best marks will be used to calculate the final grade. No make up quizzes.

Dates for quizzes:
Quiz #1    Jan. 23
Quiz #2    Jan. 30
Quiz #3    Feb. 11
Quiz #4    Mar. 3
Quiz #5    Mar. 12
Quiz #6    Mar. 24
Quiz #7    April 2
Quiz #8    April 16

2. Participation in two group discussions: 10%

3. Essay: 30%  Two essays are requested. Topic: Suggested in class. Length: Three pages using Font 12, double space.

Due Dates: Essay # 1 February 13 (Wednesday) and Essay # 2 April 9 (Wednesday) by 4:00 PM at CHC210 (My office).

Criteria for Evaluation:

A. Depth of research: This involves an accurate general perspective, command of detail on your specific subject, understanding of strong evidence, if any, against your view and suitability and strength of sources.

B. Organization: This includes clarity, logic (there should be a logical connection shown between the points given in your essay), unity (maintenance of the same theme throughout the whole, or a large section, of the essay), coherence (smooth link between minor sections of the essay) and correctness of form (e.g. having footnotes or endnotes, a bibliography, using proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.). As well, your essay should develop an argument: in other words, it should attempt to prove something, in contrast to being purely descriptive.

C. Original thinking: You are required to put forward and support your own thesis. Original thinking often makes the difference between an outstanding and an average essay.

D: Essays are to be submitted either in the lecture hall on the due date or at my office by 4:30 P.M. of the due date. Essays submitted after 4:30 P.M. will be considered as having been submitted the following day.

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 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 offence. 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 paraphrase 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

To be handed out in class.