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Instructors:
James Callner MA (off:741-2456) (james_callner@wvm.edu) Office Hours: M-W 3-4pm via Angel or Email: james_callner@wvm.edu
INTRO TO FILM -- AMERICAN CINEMA Online (Full Semester Class)
THEATRE ARTS 015 Online Course
Credit/No Credit Option Available REQUIRED
TEXT: American Cinema/American Culture Third
Edition Author:
Belton/ Publisher McGraw Hill Available
at the West Valley College bookstore or Online
Barnes and Nobles www.barnesandnoble.com and
Amazon www.amazon.com All
13 programs available at: (Free) http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html Or
Rent at: West Valley College: Information below. How this class works? First read the syllabus in its entirety. If you are not already in Angel, login in using
your student ID # for the "Username" and your 6 digit birth date
for the password. Here is the link to Angel : http://wvmccd.angellearning.com Begin each week by doing the following: 1.
Click on the
Lessons tab. 2. Click on the number of
the current week and follow the instructions for that week, clicking on the
Weekly Viewing/Reading Assignments. Some weeks have additional links such as
extra credit assignments. Make sure you click on these and read the
directions. 3. Click on the American
Cinema online link and watch the episode for the week (given in the weeks
viewing assignment). The first time you do this you will have to create a
user ID. Make a record of your user ID and password. 4.
Do
not click on a test until you are ready to take it, as you only have one
chance to take each test. Tests will appear in the appropriate weeks folder during
that actual week. If you go into a week with a test early you will not see
the test. 5.
Remember to
check your course e-mail. This is found under the communicate tab. Note: You have the full week to complete most assignments
except for classes that have tests (TA15 and TA19A). It is very important to
keep up with the assignments. If you need to Email the instructor please use
the Angel Email system. CONTENT
AND PURPOSE:
This course explores Hollywood motion pictures as art form, as an industry,
and as a system of representation and communication. The course will explore
how these films work technically, artistically, and culturally to reinforce
and challenge America's national self-image. It also examines the language of
film. You will learn the art of filmmaking and its history, as well as the
evolution and transformation of the "Hollywood System," and the
production of popular genres. Most important, you will learn to become a more
active and critical film viewer. REMINDER:
Keep up with the assigned reading and the videotapes (DVDs). You may
find yourself in deep trouble if you do not stay on schedule as outlined in
the Lessons Tab in the Angel Online program. Also visit the resource
website at: www.mhhe.com/cinema2. It contains sample
quizzes and chapter outlines that could really help you. TAKE
NOTES ON THE VIDEOTAPES! THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
YOUR THREE TESTS WILL BE OPEN BOOK AND OPEN NOTE. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT
YOU TAKE CLEAR AND ORGANIZED NOTES ON ALL MATERIAL. TESTING
AND TEST DATES: Please
refer to the Lessons Tab in Angel. This will tell you when you have test.
There are three 50 question multiple choice/True False tests in this course.
All are open book and open notes. You will see on the Week-to-Week page what
date you need to log on and take the test. The key to a great grade in this
course is to keep up with the viewing of the videos each week and reading
assignments. Take plenty of notes on the most pertinent information or themes
in the videos and reading material. Remember all the tests will be open
book and open notes but you need to keep. Extra
Credit Papers: These
can be completed and turned in anytime before the final. Extra credit is to
your advantage. You
see in the Lessons Tab that you have the option of doing some extra credit to
be sure you get a great grade. Each extra credit paper below is worth 10
points. It is crucial that you consider doing these short papers. It can
potentially change your grade a full letter. The extra credit is designed to
only help you. It's your choice. Each
essay is worth 10 extra credit points. You cannot lose by doing the
essays! They can only help you. Here's how to get the
most possible points: Show
us that: 1. You can apply your understanding of genre
and style to
a film that's not heavily covered in the chapter. 2. You can analyze the way in which technical
elements of
your film support the genre and style. (i.e. Camera angles, shots,
lighting, sound, editing) 3. You actually watched the
film!!!! Extra
Credit Paper #1: Be
sure to watch (and take notes on...) one film that fits as "Classical
Hollywood Narrative," described in Chapter 2. Your film does not have to be
in the fillmography at the end of Chapter 2, but it MUST fit in that
category. See extra credit essay online for the essay topic. Note:
Chapter 3 offers ways to "technically" analyze the movie you
watch. Also visit the resource website at: www.mhhe.com/cinema2 Extra
Credit Paper #2:
Be sure to watch (and take notes on...) one film that fits in one of the
genres represented in Chapters 8, 9, 11. Your film does not have to be in the
fillmographies at the end of these chapters, but it MUST fit in one of the
three genres. See extra credit essay Online for the essay topic. Chapter
3 offers ways to "technically" analyze the movie you watch. Also
visit the resource website at: www.mhhe.com/cinema2 Online
Handout of Film terms: There
is a short online handout of some basic film terminology. Be sure to download
this material for some of it appears in questions in Test #3. Tests
Grading: They
are each worth 50 points and 33.1/3% of your grade. Total
points in the semester 150 Points Test
Scores and Semester Grades Test Scores are graded as follows: Total Possible Points = 50 40 - 50 = A
33 - 39 = B
30 - 32 = C
27 - 29 = D
26 or less = F Semester grades are calculated as follows: Total Possible Points = 150 120 - 150 = A
99 - 119 = B
90 - 98 = C
81 - 89 = D
80 or less = F Be
Online on test days. Your grade depends on it! Makeup
Policy: We want you to succeed! If
you miss a test (or tests) you may makeup the test (or tests) during the next
test period.
However, we do not recommend this for you because you
will be taking two (or three) tests in the same period.
Please try and stay
on schedule the best you can. **Warning: The instructor does NOT drop students. It
is the studentsŐ responsibility to drop themselves before the drop date. (Try
to stick with it though you can do this!) How
to see each week's video on your computer: It's free! Although
this is a Online Course and all the programs can be viewed on your home
computer by going to: http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html
Sign up as a first time user in the Online via Video on Demand section. Once
logged in you will then go the drop down under Browse Student (or Teacher)
resources and drop down to Arts and Grade College.
Almost done. Find American Cinema and you can click on the VOD to seen the
segments Online for Free! Rather
Rent the DVD's? Now
if you would rather rent the videos (DVDs) OR to view them in the WVC Library
below is how you do it. 1. Go to the WVC Cashier at ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS and pay
the $50
rental fee for the American Cinema Videos. 2. Get a Student I.D. Card, if you don't already have one. 3.
Take your receipt to the A.V. Circulation desk in the WVC Library, show
them your Student I.D. Card and sign the rental agreement. 4.
You will receive all of the Online DVDs or 2 VHS videotapes, recorded in the
SLP (6 hour) mode, for use throughout the semester. 5.
You have agreed, by renting the tapes, to return the DVDs to the A.V.
Circulation Desk by the end of the semester. Upon return you will
receive a voucher for a $25 refund, obtainable at the Admissions Office. 6.
If you do NOT return the DVDs, your grade will be on "hold" until you
do! A $35 per tape charge will be assessed for lost tapes.
Unreturned cases will cost you $1 per case... So give 'em back!!! **REMEMBER,
our Licensing Agreement with PBS does not allow us to sell the DVDs.
You do not have the option of keeping the rented tapes
at the end of the session. If you do ... NO GRADE!
READING/VIEWING ASSIGNMENTS: Note: All of this information is Online in the
Lessons Tab section of Angel
Video Program 1 (Classic Hollywood Style)
and Read Chapter 2
Video Program 2 (The Studio System)
and Read Chapter 4
Video Program 3 (The Star)
and Read Chapter 5
Also read Chapters 1 and 3! -------------------------------------------------------
Video Program 4 (The Western)
and Read Chapter 11
Video Program 5 (Romantic Comedy)
and Read Chapter 8
Video Program 6 (The Combat Film)
and Read Chapter 9
Also
read Chapter 7 (The Musical)
... and Review Chapter 3! -------------------------------------------------------
Video Program 7 (Film Noire)
and Read Chapter 10
Video Program 8 (Film in the Television Age)
and Read Chapter 12
Video Program 9 (The Film School Generation)
and Read Chapter 14
Video Program 10 (The Edge of Hollywood)
and Read Chapter 15 ----------------------------------------------------------- Student
Reminder: The
instructors may make changes to the syllabus during the semester. It is
the student's responsibility to stay informed of these changes.
Students may contact the instructor during office hours. Students may
also wish to have a study partner whom they can contact if they miss class. Disability
Statement
West
Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented
disabilities. Students should notify DESP (Disability & Educational
Support Program) located in the Learning Services building (408-741-5085) of
any special needs. Policy
on Academic Dishonesty (refer students to the WVC Catalog, p. 181) Note:
The College's policy on academic dishonesty covers in-class cheating,
out-of-class cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false information. I
strongly encourage you to reference this policy in your syllabus. In
particular, I urge you to include a definition of plagiarism (found in the
policy) AND educate your students about plagiarism when appropriate. Purdue
University has a good website that explains to students what plagiarism is
and how to avoid it. The URL is http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html |
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