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FORL 3160 EUROPEAN CINEMA SPRING 2005
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this course you should:
1. be able to demonstrate your knowledge of key movements (periods) in European cinema 2. be able to demonstrate your knowledge of a number of principal figures (particularly directors) in the national cinemas of Western Europe 3. be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the technical and conceptual vocabulary of film analysis 4. have analyzed a number of key European films, orally and in writing, using appropriate technical and conceptual vocabulary 5. have acquired a critical insight into the ways in which cinema reflects national and personal identity 6. be able to recognize the international dimension of national cinemas, in particular the mutual influences European cinema has on Hollywood and Hollywood has on national cinemas 7. approach a definition of European Cinema
TEACHING STRATEGY
This course will meet 80 minutes (sometimes longer) on Mondays and Wednesdays. Classes will consist of: 1. introductory lectures into the major periods of the national cinemas of France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavian countries, and Spain offering a broad overview of film history during these periods 2. presentation of clips from representative European films for analysis and discussion 3. presentation of clips from Hollywood films for purposes of comparison 4. five films requiring students to stay past the 3:20 end period of class 5. out of class viewing of some films 6. student discussion of films 7. student presentations
ASSESSMENT
1. 10 % Study questions for film discussion: There will be 3-5 questions that cover the textual and formal aspects of the films we watch in class (see above). The answers must be typed and ready to hand in on the day the film is scheduled to be discussed. Evaluation will be based on how thoroughly you demonstrate a willingness to explore the questions, not on style or form. (i.e. the assignment may be considered as a freewrite). Some questions are adequately answered in a sentence or two, others require several paragraphs. A thorough paper would need ca. 500 words. No late assignments accepted. If you are not present on day of discussion, I expect that your answers will be emailed before the end of the day. Handwritten assignments not accepted for study questions without prior approval. 2. 10% Minutes: Summary of class activities, including lecture, discussion, and clips. Each student is responsible for one set of minutes. Evaluation will be based on thoroughness of summary, accuracy of information, and timeliness of submission (next class period). To be submitted as word attachment via email. 3. 20 % Midterm exam: Essay questions that cover class lectures, discussions, and readings. Evaluation will be based on how well you address and argue the questions and how well you support your arguments. 4. 30% 1500 word essay:* 10 % of the grade on this essay will be based on your first draft of the essay, 60 % will be based on your rewrite. The final 30 % will be based on an oral presentation of your paper to the class. That means that your final grade on the essay will be a weighted average of the grade on the first draft, that on the second draft and that on the oral presentation.
The essay will analyze the textual and formal aspects of films we have not viewed or discussed extensively in class. Assessment will be based on four broad criteria: mechanics, expression, structure, and content. Mechanics covers such basics as spelling, punctuation, and typing. Expression covers appropriate use of vocabulary, clarity of expression, and consistency of tone. Structure covers basic grammatical concepts such as subject verb agreement as well as more sophisticated structures such as correct use of clauses and phrases. It also refers to the elements of essay writing such as thesis, topic sentence, paragraph development, and conclusion. Content refers to the ideas you are presenting in the essay and the success of your argument. Late papers may be penalized up to but not more than 5 points.
Your oral presentation will be evaluated on organization, use of time, quality and appropriateness of visuals, observable degree of preparation, engagement with listeners, and delivery. The last mentioned refers to tonal quality of voice, correctness of speech, and physical presence.
5. 20 % Final Exam: Essay questions that cover class lectures, discussions, and readings. Evaluation will be based on how well you address and argue the questions and how well you support your arguments. 6. 10% Class discussion: Class discussion will be evaluated on how frequently and how well you take part in class and group discussions. More than 3 absences will earn you a zero in class discussion.
* Students have the option of making a short video in place of the formal essay. If you choose this option, I expect that you will work in teams of 3-5 students. You will be required to follow a strict schedule and turn in a typed screenplay, a formal journal of your work on the video, the video, and an assessment of the work of each member of the video team. The grade will be based on the written components of the assignment (screenplay, journal), film, and oral presentation.
Instructions for Term Paper:
Your term paper should be a close reading (in-depth analysis) of any two films, a European and its American remake, or the reverse. The paper should place the films in their historical, social, political, and cultural context (give background information on the director, the period, and other films). The comparison should be descriptive, discussing differences between the films, and analytic, focusing on how the differences affect the meaning of the films. Please avoid a simplistic comparison based on preconceptions of superiority. While a remake may be a total failure or it may far surpass the original, the paper should focus on the meaning each version produces and how this meaning is produced, not on which movie is superior. Keep in mind that over half of the money from Hollywood films comes from the international audience. Thus, claims that Hollywood makes action movies or violent movies because of the violence-loving nature of American audiences seem misplaced (or at least not entirely accurate).
I recommend that you get started on your paper as soon as possible as multiple viewings of the film and adequate understanding of outside sources will be required. I have listed a set of deadlines for various stages of your work. Please adhere to these. I am available to help you locate a topic, to serve as a sounding board for your ideas, and to read your drafts. I won't be able to be of much use in any of these capacities if you see me the day or even the week before the paper is due.
Choose from the films below for your paper
16. Diabolique/Diabolique 17. Dracula (1931 American version)/Dracula (1931 Spanish version) 18. Wings of Desire/City of Angels 19. La Jetee/Twelve Monkeys 20. The Return of Martin Guerre/Sommersby 21. Un indien dans la ville/Jungle 2 Jungle 22. Swept Away/Swept Away 23. The Unfaithful Wife/Unfaithful 24. Murnau’s Nosferatu/Shadow of the Vampire 25. Brechtian Theatre and Cradle Will Rock SYLLABUS SPRING 2005 SURVEY OF EUROPEAN CINEMA ROBERT C. REIMER
Texts: Louis Giannetti. Understanding Movies. Any Edition. In addition to the purchased text, you will be asked to read reviews and essays. These will be available from the internet or as handouts.
Students with documented disabilities who require accommodation in this class should access services as soon as possible through the UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services in Fretwell Building, Room 218.
I expect students to follow the university academic integrity code which read as follows:
THE UNC CHARLOTTE CODE OF STUDENT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY governs the responsibility of students to maintain integrity in academic work, defines violations of the standards, describes procedures for handling alleged violations of the standards, and lists applicable penalties. The following conduct is prohibited in that Code as violating those standards: A. Cheating. Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices in any academic exercise. This definition includes unauthorized communication of information during an academic exercise. B. Fabrication and Falsification. Intentional and unauthorized alteration or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Falsification is a matter of altering information, while fabrication is a matter of inventing or counterfeiting information for use in any academic exercise. C. Multiple Submission. The submission of substantial portions of the same academic work (including oral reports) for credit more than once without authorization. D. Plagiarism. Intentionally or knowingly presenting the work of another as one's own (i.e., without proper acknowledgment of the source). The sole exception to the requirement of acknowledging sources is when the ideas, information, etc., are common knowledge. E. Abuse of Academic Materials. Intentionally or knowingly destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible library or other academic resource material. F. Complicity in Academic Dishonesty. Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty. A full explanation of these definitions, and a description of procedures used in cases where student violations are alleged, is found in the complete text of The UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity. This Code may be modified from time to time. Users are advised to contact the Office of the Dean of Students to ensure they consult the most recent edition.
FORL 3160 is a writing intensive course and also satisfies the art and literature goal for those under COGE requirements.
Instructor: Robert C. Reimer Office: COED 416 (704.687.8767) Office Hours: WTh 4:00-5:00; Also by appointment You may call me at home but please not after 10:00p.m. (704.537.7008) I can also be reached by email: RCReimer@email.uncc.edu
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