Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Development of a critical appreciation of the motion picture as art and literature. Emphasis on International films. (CSU, UC-with unit limitation)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Compare and contrast different genres, types, periods, and critical responses for cultural, social, political, and critical contexts as well as theme and style in cinematic form across time, thematic periods, and various filmmakers, and apply to individual international films, actors, directors, cinematographers, and screenwriters.
  • CSLO #2: Identify, analyze, and evaluate research in international film studies in both primary and secondary sources, and apply to analytical writing.
  • CSLO #3: Identify, analyze, and evaluate research in international film studies in both primary and secondary sources and apply in clear and effective in-class and/or outside of class analytical discussion and writing.

Effective Term

Fall 2018

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. identify, interpret and analyze international films in cultural, social, political, and critical contexts;
2. identify and analyze differences and similarities between different genres, types, and periods of international film;
3. interpret, analyze, and evaluate primary and secondary sources in international film;
4. analyze the relationships between culture and cinematic form and function of international films;
5. identify, interpret, and apply knowledge of cinematic techniques to the analysis of individual international films;
6. identify, interpret, and apply knowledge of cinematic techniques to the analysis of individual international actors, directors, cinematographers and screenwriters;
7. synthesize and generalize about themes and styles of international films across time, across thematic periods, and across films by various international filmmakers;
8. describe modern critical response to international films in the 20th century.
9. conduct independent research in international film studies;
10. communicate analyses, interpretations and critiques of single international films or several international films by the same filmmaker, or to several closely related international films in class discussion and in required essays and exams.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Literature & Language
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C1 Arts
    • CSUGE - C2 Humanities
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 3B Humanities

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: The students will engage in classroom discussions and will be assessed verbally by the instructor. For example: Discuss the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon through a feminists lens.
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: All written assignments will use a rubric developed by the instructor, approved by the department, and shared with the students. Example: Mid term examination question: a. Define the difference between a long shot and a medium shot and apply the definition to a scene from one of our films. b.Explain the concept of “movement” in film and apply your explanation to a scene from one of our films.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: Example: Final examination question - Write (in class) a one page analysis of the final International film this semester. Essay will be evaluated based upon a rubric developed by the Instructor and shared with students. Comment on the following elements: a. Direction b. Acting c. Camera placement and camera movement d. Narrative e. Montage f. Mise en scene
    • Projects
      • Example: Example: Using a movie maker or editing software, edit one of the movies into a different genre, and create a 5 minute trailer of your movie. You may use pieces of one other film from this course if you must, but both of the films must be of a different genre than the genre you are aiming for in the final project. Students will write a justification for the decisions they made in their editing process that point to specific elements in the original film and the project.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion

    Lecture:

    1. Lecture emphasizing and modeling critical and analytical interpretation of international film.
    2. Facilitated student discussion of international film. Students will respond to short questions in large groups in order to analyze concepts in films.
    3. Production of handouts, study guides, and a brochure on the International film masterpieces to supplement the lectures.
    4. Significant response to student writing on International film.
    5. Feedback on out-of-class essay assignments that demand close analysis of the International film. Instructor will provide models of writing in-class and will walk through a close reading with the students.
    6. Use of multimedia (DVD, video and computer) to supplement lecture material on international film. In group work, students will identify film techniques at use in specific scenes in order to understand the function of those techniques.
    7. Feedback and response to student performance on midterm examination, final examination, film critiques, and journal assignments on international film.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read the essay by Phillip Lopate on "When Foreign Movies Mattered" and be prepared to discuss in class. 2. Read the essay by Neal Gabler "Losing Our Narrative--and Ourselves" and prepare a brief summary to present to class.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. After watching the international silent film masterpiece (NOSFERATU) write a critique of the film. I do not want a plot synopsis of the film. I want comments on the direction, camera placement, camera movement, composition, lighting, use of color or black and white cinematography, editing, and interpretation of the screenplay. Be as critical and analytical as possible. 2. Keep a journal of the International film masterpieces that you see outside of the class and submit this journal at mid term and final examination time. Comment on the direction and acting in each film. Compare and contrast the themes of the films. Discuss the directorial concept and the use of narrative in each film. Be as critical and analytical as possible. 3. Choose one of the films we've watched this semester. Using ProQuest or Roger Ebert's film review website (www.rogerebert.suntimes.com), write a response to a criticism of the film and the film itself. Your criticism should include the following: -A brief summary of the film -A brief summary of the criticism you've chosen -A brief argument about the film based on the criticism -Your response to the film. 4. Write an analysis of a film from the semester. Please include a proper introduction, a thesis, and thoughtful organization and coherence. The strength of your paper must reside in its thesis. You must create an original argument about the film – no summaries. An original argument means that you critique the film for its "message" or central idea. Also, in order to make your argument, your analysis must focus on specific film terminology (consider what you studied for your midterm). You must include this terminology as part of your analysis. For example, you could focus solely on camera movement and positioning, using several scenes as examples of this (medium-shots, establishing shots, etc.). Or, you could focus on editing techniques, music, or any other film technique as they apply to an analysis of the film.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    Using screen capturing software, capture a scene from three different movies, put them in a Word document, and then analyze each mise-en-scene in the following way: 1. Put the scene in the context of the film. Briefly summarize what is going on. 2. Analyze the scene for dressing. 3. Analyze symbolism in dressing, props, or colors. 4. Analyze the staging, lighting, and framing of the shot. 5. What is the overall meaning being portrayed by the scene, given the above?

    Required Materials

    • Film Art: An Introduction
      • Author: David Bordwell & Kristen Thompson
      • Publisher: McGraw - Hill
      • Publication Date: 2016
      • Text Edition: 11th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • The Anatomy of Film
      • Author: Bernard F. Dick
      • Publisher: Bedford St. Martins
      • Publication Date: 2010
      • Text Edition: 6th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Film History: An Introduction
      • Author: Kristen Thompson & David Bordwell
      • Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
      • Publication Date: 2009
      • Text Edition: 3rd
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Film, Form, and Culture
      • Author: Robert Kolker
      • Publisher: McGraw - Hill Higher Education
      • Publication Date: 2015
      • Text Edition: 4th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • A Short Guide to Writing about Film
      • Author: Timothy Corrigan
      • Publisher: Pearson
      • Publication Date: 2014
      • Text Edition: 9th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

    Subscription to a streaming service (eg: Netflix) in order to view films.