Film Studies
Fall Semester, 2017
Instructor: Mr. Harned
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Course Description: This elective course serves as an introduction to critical film viewing and as an enrichment experience for other social studies courses. Students will focus on both elements of film (setting, camera, editing, lighting, sound, acting, casting, dialogue, character development, character relations, story development, pace) and on historical importance of the films (context, events, individuals, cultural perspective, target audience, stereotypes, gender roles and relations, intended and unintended messages, film’s influence on society, and society’s influence on film). Emphasis is placed on developing active and mature film viewing practices.
After a brief introduction to the aforementioned two broad aspects of film, students will develop a deeper understanding by viewing selected films in class (a complete listing of films to be viewed in class appears on this syllabus). Throughout this course, students can expect quizzes, in-class writing assignments (such as discussion/essay questions and critical reviews), note-taking, and various other assignments. Students will be expected to practice civilized, responsible film-viewing behavior in class during viewings – meaning that activities such as sleeping, apparent sleeping, sending and/or receiving text messages, doing homework for another class, and/or class disturbances distract the offending student and her/his fellow students from focusing on the class.
There is no textbook for this course, and there will generally not be much written homework. However, students will be expected to research the films (such research should be done prior to viewing the film; otherwise, certain aspects of the film will not make sense to the uninformed viewer) in order to be prepared to learn while viewing.
Resources: Some valuable research resources include:
Internet Movie Database (IMDB) – lots of general and detailed info about each film on our list
Filmsite.org – also lots of info, including extensive dialogue from many (but not all) films on our list.
American Film Institute – leader in screen education, and in recognition and celebration of excellence in film.
New York Times movie page – contemporary reviews of most of the films on our list, and many others
Things to Remember:
· You must be in your seat when the tardy bell rings in order to avoid being counted tardy
· Always bring all necessary materials to class, including pen or pencil, paper, notes, and homework to class
· Do not interrupt anyone who is speaking to the teacher or to the class
· Keep all assignments returned; you are responsible for keeping a record of all your grades in this course
· You and you alone are responsible for arranging to make up work promptly after an absence.
· This course is Film Studies, not Film Entertainment, not Film-Induced Sleep, not Film Fun, and not Film Favorites. Your film viewing and course preparation should be active, not passive, processes. As always, you shall reap what ye have sown.
Grading:
· This Date in Film History Quiz – 50 points
· Daily Grade (note taking, viewing, participation) – 15 possible points each day. Students may earn the maximum possible points for film viewing by consistently paying complete attention to all of the films viewed.
· Comparative papers, Character studies, Film Reviews – 25 to 100 points each
· Exams – (1 per unit) 100 points each (Multiple Choice)
· Final Exam – 25% of Final Grade
Film Viewing List: What follows is a tentative list of the films we will use. Some films may be added or deleted as time allows. Not all films will be shown in their entirety. All videos will meet the criteria established by Knox County and Federal Copyright Laws. Each film’s MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) rating accompanies the listing.
Unit 1: The Early Years to 1929 (1st 4 Weeks)
Birth of a Nation (1915) NR (Not Rated)
The Immigrant (1917) NR
The Gold Rush (1925) NR
Nosferatu (1922) NR
Metropolis (1927) NR
Unit 2: 1930 to 1939
The Public Enemy (1931) NR
Dracula (1931) NR
Frankenstein (1931) NR
King Kong (1933) NR
Duck Soup (1933) NR
Triumph of the Will (1935) NR
Reefer Madness (1936) NR
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) NR
Documentary: 1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year G
Gone With the Wind (1939) G
The Wizard of Oz (1939) G
Unit 3: 1940 to 1949 (2nd 4 Weeks)
Fantasia (1940) G
Citizen Kane (1941) NR
Sergeant York (1941) NR
Casablanca (1942) PG
Select Three Stooges Shorts G
Select Universal News Reels NR
Select Looney Tunes Shorts NR
Notorious (1946) NR
Unit 4: 1950 to 1959
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) G
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) G
Rear Window (1954) PG
Rebel Without a Cause (1955) NR
The Searchers (1956) NR
Vertigo (1958) PG
Ben-Hur (1959) G
Some Like It Hot (1959) NR
Drive-In “Refreshment Time” NR
Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959) NR
Unit 5: 1960 to 1969 (3rd 4 Weeks)
Psycho (1960) *R
Dr. No (1962) PG
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) NR
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) G
The Birds (1963) PG-13
Dr. Strangelove (1964) PG
The Sound of Music (1965) G
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1967) *R
True Grit (1969) G
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) PG
Unit 6: 1970 to 1979 (Last 4 Weeks)
Blacula (1972) PG
The Sting (1973) PG
American Graffiti (1973) PG
Jaws (1975) *R
Rocky (1976) PG
Star Wars (1977) PG
Excerpted Documentaries
· MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)
· 20th Century Fox – The First 50 Years (1997) and the Blockbuster Years (2002)
· You Must Remember This: The Warner Brothers Story (2009)
· That’s Entertainment! (1974)
A Note from Mr. Harned
Films released before 1968 have been retroactively rated by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America).
*Parents wishing to have their child opt out of any of the five films that have been rated “R” by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) are free to do so. I simply ask that a parent or guardian contact the instructor as soon as possible if there is a concern. An alternative film from the AFI’s List of the (American Film Institute) Top 100 Movies of All-Time may be selected for the student to view.
I look forward to a great semester!
Grades will be updated at least once a week.