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RTVF 4350:001 Spring 2015
RTVF 5515:001 The Films of Errol Morris
Professor Ben Levin Office Hours RTFP 235 W: 10:30-12:30; R: 2-4
Phone: 565-4578 Or By Appointment
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Course Description:
The course will explore the work of American filmmaker Errol Morris from his first film Gates of Heaven (1978) through his most recent documentary The Unknown Known. His work employs a variety of styles and techniques and these will be examined in detail. Through the screening of his films and commercials, discussion of his books and articles, in addition to viewing his on-line material, the course will immerse us in the impressive body of work by this important filmmaker.
Course Objectives:
1. To appreciate the accomplishments of one of our most important film authors and the evolution of the work.
2. To understand how life experiences impact on the work of any filmmaker.
3. To realize that any documentary is only a portion of the story and that much occurs “outside” the frame.
4. To consider the relevance of his approach to our own filmmaking goals.
This is a senior/graduate level seminar and it will not be taught as a traditional lecture course.
Definition of a seminar:A small group of students, as in a university, engaged in advanced study and original research under a member of the faculty and meeting regularly to exchange information and hold discussions.
The class will primarily involve a joint exploration of the work of this important filmmaker. During the course of the semester we will reach a series of conclusions regarding his work in all media and also explore ways that his techniques might be applied in contemporary documentary and in other forms. In order for the seminar approach to work students must do the reading and participate in the discussions.
Prerequisite:
RTVF 3610 is the prerequisite for this course. Given that this class is a 4000 level course, it is also assumed that you understand how to write a research paper.
General Requirements: For undergraduates there will be a midterm, a final and two papers (approx. 4 to 5 pages each). Graduate students will take the two exams and write one 12-15 page major paper. You will receive an additional handout with guidelines for the writing of your research papers.
The two exams will cover material from the lectures, screenings, readings and class discussions. Take good notes!! Students are responsible for material missed in class due to an absence. The midterm and the final will be take-home exams and will be due on the dates indicated on the course schedule.
Required Readings:
Bloom, Livia.ed. Errol Morris Interviews. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2010.
The required book can be purchased in the UNT bookstore or through other sources.
Additional materials will be handed out in class and will become a part of the required readings for the course re: the midterm, the final and the papers.
We will also make use of the Errol Morris website (errolmorris.com) and related links to videos, blogs and other materials.
The required readings have been carefully selected and are very important to your understanding of the course content and purpose. Where your research papers are concerned, DVD copies of many relevant documentaries are available in the Media Library, Room 111 in Chilton Hall. Most of the works shown in class will also be placed on reserve.
Grades:
Midterm25%Due February 26
Paper I25%Due April 2
Paper II25%Due May 7
Final25% Due May 14
Point System:
90 -100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
00 - 59 = F
Since we meet just once a week, each class missed will result in a penalty of 3 points subtracted from the final course grade. If you arrive late or leave early you may receive a penalty based on the amount of time you were not in class.
Absences may be excused through written evidence of a health condition that prevented your attendance. If there are other circumstances that might prevent you from attending a class, please see me and we will discuss your situation.
The grade for research papers will be lowered 3 points for each day the assignment is late. For take-home examinations not turned in at the beginning of class on the due date,
the result will be a penalty of 5 points for each day it is late.
We will have one break during each meeting. Please be on time. Make sure all cell phones are turned off. Please, no scrolling or texting during class meetings. No laptop use will be allowed during class time. All of these things can be distracting to other students during and screenings in this classroom.
If if any time you wish to discuss the course content, paper topics, etc. please make an appointment with me via e-mail.
**There may be content and/or language in selected films that could offend some viewers. Documentaries are about life, and there are things in life are not pleasant.
**The course schedule and course content are subject to revision due to weather, film booking conflicts, and other factors.
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The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you with a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class. The administration of the SETE will remain open through the week of finals.
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UNT Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism. Use of another’s thoughts or words without proper attribution in any academic exercise, regardless of the student’s intent, including but not limited to:
1. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement or citation.
2. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or by an agency engaged in selling term papers or other academic materials.
For details on the UNT policy:
Where this class is concerned any act of plagiarism will minimally result in a course grade of “F” and more severe penalties are possible.
RTVF 4350 SCREENINGS AND READINGS Spring 2015
1/22Introduction, Syllabus, Course Requirements
Bloom: v-xix
1/29Early Work from the 1970’s
Gates of Heaven (83 min.) 1978
Bloom: xxi- xxviii; 3-11
2/5Formative Period: The 1980’s
Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (Les Blank) (20 min.) 1980
Vernon Florida (56 min.) 1981
Bloom: 12-30
2/12The Break Through Film
The Thin Blue Line (107 min.) 1988
Bloom: 30-48
2/19An Exploration of the Theories of Stephen Hocking
A Brief History of Time (84 min.) 1991
Bloom: 49-66
2/26An Examination of Human Behavior
Fast Cheap and Out of Control (83 min.) 1997
3/5An Examination of Human Behavior
Mr. Death (92 min.) 1999
Bloom: 67-85
3/12A Major Television Series for Bravo and IFC I
First Person (167 min.) (96 min.) 2000
3/19Spring Break
3/26A Major Television Series for Bravo and IFC II
Bloom: 86-101
4/2 One Filmmaker Meets Another
A Brief History of Errol Morris (Kevin McDonald) (48 min.) 2000
Bloom: 102-117
4/9Vietnam: 30 Years Later
The Fog of War (107 min.) 2003
Bloom: 118-143
4/16The War in Iraq and Afghanistan
Standard Operating Procedure (116 min.) 2008
Bloom: 245-256
4/23A Sketch of Errol Morris
Errol Morris: A Lightening Sketch (Charles Musser and Carina Tautu) (72 min.) 2011
4/30A Tabloid Adventure
Tabloid (87 min.) 2011
5/7The Last Word on War
The Unknown Known (96 min.) 2014
5/14Final Exam Due
Additional Readings Will Be Distributed:
2/12Linda Williams. “Mirrors without Memories: Truth, History and The Thin Blue Line.” Barry Keith Grant & Jeanette Sloniowski, Eds..Documenting the Documentary: Close Readings of Documentary Film and Video. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1998. 379-396.
2/26Jaffe, Ira. “Errol Morris’s Forms of Control,” William Rothman Ed.Three Documentary Filmmakers. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2009. 19-42.
3/26Perez, Gilberto. “Errol Morris’s Irony.” William Rothman. Ed. Three Documentary Filmmakers, Ed. William Rothman. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2009. 13-18.
4/2Platinga, Carl. “The Philosophy of Errol Morris: Ten Lessons.” William Rothman. Ed. Three Documentary Filmmakers. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2009. 43-59. Or 4/11
4/30Morris, Errol. “The Tawdry Gruesomeness of Reality” in Marie-Christine.
deNavacelle,& Joshua Siegel. Eds. Frederick Wiseman. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 2010.
Other readings will be distributed as warranted during the course of the semester.
UNT ODA Statement:
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course.
You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.