Course Syllabus: Theater Arts 40 Summer/Fall 2016

Instructor: Ralph Nichols

Instructor email: ralphnichols58@gmail.com

Instructor phone: (408) 274-7900, ext. 6506

Instructor Office: VPA-108

Office Hours: TBA; None during summer

Class website: www.theater40.blogspot.com

Course Description:

THEAT-040 -Introduction to Film Units: 3

This is an introductory course in film studies in which students view classic and recent films to learn the technical and artistic disciplines of filmmaking. Emphasis is placed on the movie industry, its history and business side.

Lecture Hours: 2.5 Lab Hours: 1.5 Repeatable: No Grading: O

CAN: None Advisory Level: Read: 3 Write: 3 Math: None

Transfer Status: CSU/UC Degree Applicable: AA/AS

CSU GE: C1 District GE: C1 IGETC: None

WHY SHOULD I TAKE THIS COURSE?

Students who have taken this class have said they watch movies in a different way, with a greater appreciation for technique and direction. The ultimate goal of this class is to improve students’ understanding of how films are made and to provide students with a greater appreciation of the medium at a more sophisticated level.

WHAT IS THIS COURSE ABOUT?

Students in this class will learn that there is a lot more to “movies” than meets the eye. By studying the movie industry from a business, historical and social viewpoint, students will enrich their moviegoing experience and develop a more sophisticated appreciation of movies and the process of movie-making.

WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME?

Students are expected to demonstrate a willingness to:

1. Attend class on time and stay until the end of class.

2. Participate in class discussions.

3. Put together a film journal and turn it in on time.

WHAT LEARNING METHODS WILL WE USE?

Reading: Some assigned readings will seem challenging: they will require you to concentrate on new concepts and sort out the arguments. You will be better prepared for class discussions and tests if you complete your reading on your own before we discuss it in class. While there is no textbook for this class you will still be expected to do outside reading on the movie industry.

Writing: You will have several assignments related to your film journal that require you to write outside of class. All of these assignments must be typed and included in your film journal.

Discussion: Your participation in this class is encouraged and important in helping you learn the material. It has been proven in studies that students learn more by thinking and talking about the subject rather that sitting and not participating. Your class participation grade will be based on how much you contribute to discussions.

WHAT ARE THE GROUND RULES?

1. Punctuality and attendance: You have a responsibility to be at all class meetings on time and to remain until the end of class. If you find that you must miss a class, be late, or leave early (and this should only happen under exceptional circumstances) you must call arrange to:

1. Review the class notes you missed.

2. Get the assignments due for the next class.

Arriving late or leaving early WILL result in a loss of points beyond your class participation points.

Attendance is probably the most important thing you must do in this class. Simply attending class does not guarantee a student a passing grade but leaving early and/or arriving late will ensure a student receives a bad grade in the class.

2. Preparation: The quality of our experience in the course depends on each class member being prepared and being willing to discuss, ask questions, and support one another. In addition, part of your grade will reflect your preparedness and participation.

3. Late work: You are responsible for keeping up on all of the work for the course and turning it in on time. Even if you have been absent, the next assignments are still due on time. You need to make a friend in class who you can share notes with in the event you miss a class and need to know what we did while you were gone. Make-up tests will only be given on the same day for everybody during the last week of the semester.

4. Withdrawal: If you stop coming to class, it is important that you drop yourself from the roll through admissions and records. Otherwise, you may stay on the roll until the end of class and receive a grade of F.

5. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another writer’s words or ideas. Plagiarism is a serious offense. A student who plagiarizes is subject to disciplinary probation and/or suspension as outlined in the college catalog in accordance with district policy. You can also receive an F in the class. I have been a newspaper reporter and teacher for more than 30 years and I am a good judge of student writing. You will do a writing sample in class that I will use to evaluate your writing level. This sample will be compared with writing you do on your own and if there is a major difference in the quality then you may be suspected of plagiarism.

6. Cell Phones/Media Devices — Cell phones and media devices MUST be turned off during class. Texting is not allowed during class. Running out of class to answer a cell phone call is not allowed during class. There is a time and a place for these devices and it’s not during class. Laptop computers must be closed during movie presentations. You are NOT ALLOWED to cruise the Internet on your laptop or play on your phone during class. Failure to follow these rules will result in a lowering of your grade. Please follow this IMPORTANT rule and do not be rude to your fellow students and especially the teacher.

7. Test make-up — A student will be allowed to make up only one test during the semester. All make-up tests will be taken on the same day during the last month of the semester. The date will be announced in class. If you miss more than one test during the semester you will only be allowed to make up one test. You cannot redo a test for a better grade. You are only allowed to make up a test if you missed the test when it was given in class.

General Education Learning Outcomes

General Education is a commitment on the part of a college to provide students with a broad set of knowledge and skills that will help each student in their process of becoming a well-rounded healthy person equipped to participate wisely in the health of our community. It requires a carefully selected set of courses and activities on the part of the college and active reflection on the part of the student.

This course participates in the general education process by including the following General Education Learning Outcome(s):

Learning Outcomes:

1 Describe the objectives and themes of films

2 Identify conflict in a film and demonstrate how the conflict arises from the plot structure of the film

3 Analyze and describe characterization and character interaction in films

4 Correlate aspects of visual design and lighting with character and setting

5 Illustrate how cinematography affects film content

6 Recognize how editing is used to organize film content and compare various editing styles in films

7 Assess the impact of sound design on the content of a film

8 Evaluate and compare acting and directing techniques in films

9 Make qualitative judgments about the aesthetic, social, and cultural achievements of films

Summarize opinions of films in writing, supporting statements with detailed observations from the films

This outcome contributes to the General Education areas of emphasis stated in the accreditation standards and District General Education Philosophy (pending)] checked below:

__x___ Aesthetic sensitivity

__x___ Civic responsibility (local, national, global)

__x___ Civility

__x___ Computer literacy

__x___ Critical analysis/logical thinking

__x___ Cultural diversity

__x___ Ethical principles

__x___ Historical sensitivity

__x___ Information competency

__x___ Integrated organism including the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual

(local and CSU GE)

__x___ Interpersonal Skills

__x___ Oral communication including speaking and listening

__x___ Political involvement (local, national, global)

__x___ Scientific and quantitative reasoning

__x___ Social responsibility (local, national, global)

__x___ Teamwork (ability to work and solve problems as a team, recommended by Jim Potterton)

_x____ Written communication

District Policies

Attendance Policy: “Students are expected to maintain regular and prompt attendance in all classes. Instructors shall maintain a record of students’ attendance in class.” VI. Instruction Policies 6070.1 12/19/89

Withdrawal/Drop Policy:

It is the ultimate responsibility of the student to formally drop the class. You should not rely on the instructor to drop you from a class for non-attendance. You may drop by telephone using the STAR system (223-0300) or by completing the proper forms in the Office of Admissions and Records. To be eligible for a refund of fees and/or prevent a recorded grade of “F: or “W”, you must drop the class on or before posted date.

College Honesty Policy:

Students are expected to write their own papers and to not copy from another student or author (plagiarism). Consequences of such actions may lead to reduction of a grade, suspension form the class, course failure, or expulsion from the college.

Violations of standards include the following:
• Altering grades
• Altering or forging college documents, records, or identification
• Copying from someone’s test or allowing someone to copy your test
• Copying from an author’s work without giving credit (plagiarism)

• Doing an assignment (e.g., a term paper or essay) for another student or asking, paying, bribing, or blackmailing someone to do an assignment for you
• Sitting in for someone in class or on a test or having someone sit in class for you if not authorized by the instructor
• Submitting work previously presented in another class if not authorized by the instructor
• During an exam, using or consulting other test or course material not authorized by the instructor
• Possession of an examination or materials not authorized by the instructor. Consequences may include one or more of the following actions by appropriate college officials as shown in parentheses:

• Receiving a failing grade on the test, paper, or exam
• Course grade lowered, possibly resulting in course failure
• Verbal or written reprimand/warning
• Suspension for a longer specified time
• Expulsion from college

WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED?

Notebook: A large, 3-ring binder for all assignments and work, Scantron forms and a No. 2 pencil for tests. Writing paper for in-class assignments.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL I SPEND ON THIS CLASS?

In college you are expected to work two hours per week outside of class for every one hour you meet in class. You will spend time outside of class reading, studying for tests and watching videos for your final project. Start planning your schedule now so that you can accommodate this work load.

HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

Your grade will be calculated based on:

Five tests 600 points

Final paper (In-class) 100 points

Film Journal 150 points

Attendance, participation 150 points

The grading scale for the course is:

A = 900 - 1,000 points

B = 800 - 899 points

C = 700 - 799 points

D = 600 - 699 points

F = Below 600 points

HOW WILL I KNOW MY GRADE?

It is the responsibility of the students to keep track of their own grade. Hold on to your returned tests and keep track of your scores. Evaluate your participation level periodically throughout the semester. If you are not participating or participating very little you will want to increase your level of participation (see below). Be realistic about your grade. If you are getting C’s on your tests and not participating you should not expect an A in the class. There are four parts of your grade (see above). To have any realistic chance of getting an A in the class you will need to do “A” quality work in at least three of the four categories. Your final grade is final and it will not be changed after it is submitted to admissions and records unless I made a mistake calculating your grade. Your final grade should not be a surprise. Keep track of your progress throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns about your grade should be resolved before the end of the semester. Final grades are final.

THINGS NOT TO DO IN MY CLASS

(In no particular order)

1. Arrive late/leave early or both. Showing up late for the final.

2. Refuse to participate, speak, make comments or ask questions.

3. Watch media devices (cell phones, lap tops, etc.) instead of watching the movie.

4. Rush out of the classroom to make or take cell phone calls.

5. Don't make the assumption that this class is an easy A or there is nothing to learn because it's film.

(Students who do any or all of these things significantly lower their grade)

CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE

One hundred and fifty points of your grade is based on how active a role you take in this class and your attendance. The more you participate in class discussions the more points you receive in this category. If you do not participate or participate very little you will lose points or get a zero in this category. Ask questions, make comments, be attentive and take good notes and be in class on time and remain until the class ends. All of these things will be considered in determining your class participation/attendance grade. Being silent, not asking questions and not participating will NOT help your grade. Students often overlook this part of their grade and they shouldn’t. It’s important to be an active participant and not a passive observer. You don’t have to be an expert to make a comment. For example, “I don’t like Jim Carrey because I’m not a big slapstick comedy fan.” I’m looking for student input, not expert analysis.

Attendance is critical to your success in this class. However, simply attending class will not guarantee a student a passing grade. Nor does attendance alone guarantee you a high grade in this category. Frequent participation is critical to getting a good grade in this category.

• Arriving late and/or leaving early can and will be considered an absence.

(IMPORTANT: Chronic absences include arriving late and/or leaving early or not coming at all will result in additional points being taken away from your final total).

UNDERSTANDING THE GRADING PROCESS

Your grade is made up of four parts — tests, attendance/participation, film journal and final paper. You will need to do well in at least three of the four areas to receive a high grade in this class. Not participating during the semesters and doing poorly on tests will make it difficult to receive a passing grade. Every semester students receive D’s and F’s in this class. Usually these low grades are a result of poor test scores, no class participation and not doing a class presentation. If you are serious about succeeding in this class then you will have to do the work or you will not pass the class.

FILM JOURNAL

Your final journal will be put together throughout the semester and will be worth 150 points. There will be journal deadlines throughout the semester but it will not be due until the end of the semester. Missing one of the deadlines will cost you the points that were available for that assignment. For example, if you have a movie memories paper due and you don’t turn it in on time then you will not get the points for that assignment.

The journal will be made up of a combination of in-class assignments and papers you do outside of class. Every paper done at home MUST be typed or it will not be accepted. All papers need to be at least one full typed page unless otherwise specified. All journals must be in a three-ring binder that can be purchased at the bookstore. Typed papers in the journal need to be put in the three-rings and not slipped in the plastic sleeve in the front or back. Not punching three holes in your paper will result in a loss of 20 points. Your first journal deadline that will be worth 15 points will be announced in class and it will be to bring in your three-ring binder to class with the syllabus in the binder.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE FILM JOURNAL: (The journal is typed except for notes).

• Table of Contents – Include a table of contents in your film journal listing the order of the assignments as they appear in your journal. This should be the first page of your journal after the title page. Worth 15 points.

• In-class notes (these notes do not have to be retyped but should be turned in with the journal as you take them during class).

• All extra credit assignments. Include a list of any extra credit you did during the semester.

• Summer 2016 top movie – Summer is the most important time of the year for the movie industry earning more than 40 percent of the annual box office. The summer movie season unofficially kicked off this year with Captain America which has earned hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide. There is still plenty of summer left, however. For this assignment, I want you to predict the movie that will make the most money this summer and explain the reasons for your choice. Also, pick the movie that you think will bomb and the box office and explain your reasons. Length: One page typed. Point value 30 points. Deadline TBA.

• You Be The Teacher – What three movies would you show the class if you were teaching film studies? What three movies would be on your “must show” list. Explain why you would choose these three movies. What would you expect the class to learn from these movies? Twenty or 30 years from now would these movies still be good choices to show the class? Important to remember – Do not base your choices on sentimental reasons or because you really like the movie yourself. There are lots of movies I like that I would not consider showing in a film class. Focus on movies that would have some educational value and be able to identify its educational value. Length: One page typed. Point value 30 points. Deadline TBA.

• Movie Memories: We all have memories of our childhood. I’m interested in your movie memories for this paper. Being young adults you should still have vivid memories of the movies that were important to you growing up. I want you to write a detailed paper about the movies that were important to you growing up. Did you see movies that inspired you to do better or movies that helped you to understand the world you lived in? Movies often offer escapism for an unpleasant reality such as a troubled home life. Did movies represent that for you? Do you remember your first movie date and how you felt. I want you to reminisce in this essay on movies and the impact they had on you growing up. Be specific in describing the movies you saw and where you saw them. Focus this essay on when you were younger and first started seeing movies and take it up to today. If movies did not play a big part in your life then talk about that and explain why. Length: Two pages typed. Point value 30 points. Deadline TBA.

Favorite and Least Favorite: At the end of the semester I’ll ask for your opinion on your favorite and least favorite movie you saw in class. Which movie did you like the most and why and what was your least favorite movie? Length: One page typed. Point value 30 points. Deadline TBA.

IN-CLASS JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS

We will do several short papers in class that will go in your journal. These papers will be based on movies we see during the semester. The point values and deadlines for these papers will be announced during class. IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Journals will not be graded until the end of the semester after all of the journal assignments are completed and the journal is turned in.

EXTRA CREDIT

Extra credit is optional. I do not give points for extra credit. I give a + (plus) to students who do nearly all of the extra credit that is offered, a checkmark to those who do some extra credit but not all of it and a zero to those who do not do any extra credit. The most extra credit will help your grade is a half-grade or a total of 50 points.

Theater 40 — Schedule of Events

Session #1

Class, syllabus introduction; Explain Film Journal.

“State of the Industry (Why do bad movies make so much money?)” Video: Boffo.

Session #2

“Bring on the empty horses.” What does a director do?

Movie: Series of documentary clips.

Session #3

Movie: A Bronx Tale.

Discussion: Looking at movies from a director’s perspective.

Session #4

“From Chaplin to Seth Rogan.” Movie Comedies.

Movie: The Kid.

Session #5

“You can’t say $%##” Production Code to MPAA Ratings.

Session #6

The Studio System.

Movie: Rear Window.

Session #7

Sexism and Stereotyping.

Movie: In the Heat of the Night.

Session #8

McCarthyism and the Blacklist.

Movie: Trumbo.

Session #9

Hollywood in the Fifties

Movie: Blackboard Jungle.

Session #10

The studios hit hard times.

Movie: L.A. Confidential

Session #11

Revenge of the Counterculture: Hollywood in the Sixties—Hippies, civil rights and Woodstock.

Movie: The Graduate.

Session #12

Studios face bankruptcy; James Bond gives birth to the franchise.

Movie: The Butler.

Session #13

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: The Film School Generation.

Movie: GoodFellas.

Session #14

The 1970s and beyond: The CGI revolution saves Hollywood.

Movie: The Godfather or Catch Me if You Can.

Session #15

Film Journals Due (No late journals accepted). Final Exam.

Theater 40 Nichols

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Study guides Test 1-5

Summer/Fall 16 syllabus