Cañada College
Lit 441 AA: Film Study & Appreciation I
Clay, Spring, 2007
3.0 Units (grade option)
transfer: CSU: C1, C2, UC. (IGETC: 3A),
Recommended : Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or 400; Prerequisites: none
Section AA, CRN: 40219, TTh 8:10-9:25 room 3-148
Instructor: David Clay email: clayd@smccd.net
web page: <http://smccd.net/accounts/clayd/>
telephone (650)306-3379
office hours: room 3-242 -- M 11:10-12 & MTWR 1:00-2:00 (or by arrangement)
Course Description
This course will be a very brief introduction to the history of film. The techniques, attitudes, the political and social messages, the great directors and actors - all of these are basic to understanding how the movies have touched and changed our lives. We will focus on the American tradition, but not exclusively. From comedians, cowboys, and the classic loner heros to noir gangsters and contemporary women, the stories of the movies are our stories. Unfortunately, not all of these stories are pretty - the movies have also given us ethnic, racial, and cultural stereotypes, and we will consider this side of our entertainment also.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. identify and analyze specific technical issues of film production, and relate these to the style and rhetoric (the intent) of films, both in film history and in contemporary film production. 2. identify the common genres of narrative film.
3. identify thematic elements of narrative film.
4. identify and discuss fictional and dramatic elements of film such as dramatic structure, symbolism, tone, and characterization. 5. discuss the importance of editing and special effects in film.
6. recognize and discuss the importance of music and sound effects in film. 7. recognize and analyze various styles of directing and acting in film.
8. discuss and analyze the effect of censorship, cultural bias, and racism in various periods of film history.
9. recognize and discuss issues of gender and diversity which are presented in film.
10. recognize and discuss ethnic, cultural, and gender stereotyping in film.
11. write critically about specific elements of film technique.
12. write critically about whole films.
13. keep a journal of film viewings.
14. participate in small group presentations about specific topics in film study.
15. share ideas about evaluation of films, the social significance of particular works, the cultural importance of film as one of the visual arts.
Course Activities
In-class screenings
Large group discussions led by the instructor
Small group discussions and collaborations
Class presentations
In-class quizzes
Study questions and examinations
Keeping a viewing journal
Two original papers
Off campus films such as the Film Noir Festival and the San Francisco International Film Festival
Texts
Mast, Gerald & Kawin, Bruce. A Short History of the Movies. 9th ed. NY: Pearson Longman, 2006. ISBN 0-321-26232-8.
Corrigan, Timothy. A short Guide to Writing about Film. 6th ed. NY: Pearson/Longman, 2007. ISBN 0-321-41228-1.
Evaluation
Grades will be determined by the instructor's evaluation of
Mid term and final examinations (30%)
Papers (30%)
Journal (20%)
quizzes and study questions (15%)
Class participation (5%)
Policies
Late Assignments: Assignments are due on the dates shown on the assignment sheets. If special circumstances occur, please discuss the situation with me. I know that we all have lives.
Plagiarism: Don't even think about it. All writing must be your own work. If you plagiarize a paper or any part of a paper or journal you may be dropped from the course or receive a grade of “F” for the course. In addition, you will be referred to the division dean for further discipline as appropriate. Your papers and study questions must reflect your personal responses to the films we watch and the texts we discuss.
Essay Format: All of your work written outside of class (except your journal) must be typed, double spaced, with the class heading on the first page. Use MLA style.Important Dates:
Monday, Jan. 29 Last Day to Register (ADD) in Semester-Length Classes.
Monday, Jan. 29 Last Day to Drop Semester-Length Classes with Eligibility for Partial Enrollment Fee Refund
Friday, Feb. 9 Last Date for Students of Semester Length Classes to Petition for Credit/No- Credit Option in the Admissions and Records Office.
Friday, Feb. 9 Last Date for Students to DROP Semester Length Classes Without Appearing on Student's Permanent Record
Feb. 16 19 Holidays - Presidents' Days
April 2- 8 Spring Recess
Thursday April 26 Last Day to Withdraw from a Semester-Length Class with a “W”
May 19 - 25 Final Examinations (Day & Evening Classes)

Cañada College Lit 441 (Clay) Spring 2007
Syllabus:
This is a rough schedule of reading assignments, in-class films, and dates for papers and exams. This schedule is subject to change, so be sure that you keep up to date with any substitutions or changes.
Please refer to chapters 5, 6 and 7 of Timothy Corrigan’s, A Short Guide to Writing About Film for ideas about style, research, and manuscript form. These chapters are excellent resources for good writing about film.
Week 1-2 Jan16-26
Class introduction.
The Gold Rush
Read: Mast, pp.108-118
Week 3-4 Jan 29- Feb 9
M
Read: Mast, Chapter 2: "Birth," pp.12-20
Mast, chap 7, “The German Golden Age,” pp.174-182 193-196
Corrigan, chaps 1-2
Week 5-6 Feb 12-23
Citizen Kane
Read: Mast, Chapter 6: “Movie Czars and Movie Stars,” pp.120-134, 164-169
Chapter 11: “The American Studio Years,” pp.309-318
Corrigan, chap 3

Week 7-8 Feb 26- Mar 9
Film Noir TBA
Review of Journals
Read: Mast, chapter 9: "Sound," pp.226-239.
chapter 11: "The Studio Years," pp. 269-291
Mid Term Examination
Paper #1 Due

Week 9-10 Mar 12-23
La Strada
Read: Mast, Chap 13, pp. 375-387
Corrigan, chap 4

Week 11-12 Mar 26 - Ap13
(Holiday Ap 2-6)
Read: Mast, chapter 12: "Hollywood in Transition," pp. 328-353
Rififi

Week 13-14 Ap 16-27
My Brilliant Career
Whale Rider
Read: “National Cinemas 2: 1968,” pp. 585-590
Read: chapter 18: "Conglomerates and Cassettes: 1975-"
Paper #2 Due

Week 15-16 Ap 30-May 11
The Motorcycle Diaries
Read: chapter 19: "Digital Cinema: 1999-," pp.694-720
Journals Due

Week 17 May 14-18 Week 18 : Final on Thursday, May 24, 8:10- 10:40 am.
Review

David Clay

Lit 441 Spring 2006

Film Study and Appreciation I

Cañada College
Lit 441: Film Study & Appreciation I
Clay, Spring 2006 3.0 Units (grade option)
transfer: CSU: C1, C2, UC. (IGETC: 3A),
Recommended : Eligibility for READ 836, and ENGL 836 or 400; Prerequisites: none
Section AA, CRN: 40219, MWF 9:10-10:00, room 3-148
Instructor: David Clay email: clayd@smccd.net
web page: <http://smccd.net/accounts/clayd/>
telephone (650)306-3379
office hours: room 3-242 MF 12:30-1:30, TTh 11:00-12:30
Course Description
This course will be a very brief introduction to the history of film. The techniques, attitudes, the political and social messages, the great directors and actors - all of these are basic to understanding how the movies have touched and changed our lives. We will focus on the American tradition, but not exclusively. We will screen films from France, Italy, Spain, Japan and Iran as well as films from the U.S. From comedians, cowboys, and the classic loner heros to noir gangsters and contemporary women, the stories of the movies are our stories. Unfortunately, not all of these stories are pretty - the movies have also given us ethnic, racial, and cultural stereotypes, and we will consider this side of the movies also.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. identify and analyze specific technical issues of film production, and relate these to the style and rhetoric (the intent) of films.
2. identify the common genres of narrative film.
3. identify thematic elements of narrative film
4. identify and discuss fictional and dramatic elements of film such as dramatic structure, symbolism, tone, and characterization.
5. discuss the importance of editing and special effects in film.
6. recognize and discuss the importance of music and sound effects in film.
7. recognize and analyze various styles of directing and acting in film.
8. discuss and analyze the effect of censorship and cultural bias in various periods of film history.
9. recognize and discuss issues of gender and diversity which are presented in film.
10. recognize and discuss ethnic, cultural, and gender stereotyping in film.
11. write critically about specific elements of film technique.
12. write critically about whole films.
13. keep a journal of film viewings.
14. participate in small group presentations about specific topics in film study.
15. share ideas about evaluation of films, the social significance of particular works, the cultural importance of film as one of the visual arts.
Course Activities
In-class screenings
Large group discussions led by the instructor
Small group discussions and collaborations
Class presentations
In-class quizzes and examinations
Keeping a viewing journal
An original paper
Attendance at Cañada Film Series screenings
Off campus films
16 hours "by arrangement" out of class work
Text
Mast, Gerald & Kawin, Bruce. A Short History of the Movies. 9th ed. NY: Pearson Longman, 2006.
Evaluation
Grades will be determined by the instructor's evaluation of
Mid term and final examinations (40%)
Research paper (30%)
quizzes (10%)
Class participation (10 %)
By arrangement hours (10%)
Policies
Late Assignments: Assignments are due on the dates shown on the assignment sheets. If special circumstances occur, please discuss the situation with me. I know that we all have lives.
Plagiarism: Don't even think about it. All writing must be your own work. If you plagiarize a paper or any part of a paper or journal you may be dropped from the course or receive a grade of “F” for the course. In addition, you will be referred to the division dean for further discipline as appropriate.
Essay Format: All of your work written outside of class (except your journal) must be typed, double spaced, with the class heading on the first page. Use MLA style.
Important dates:
Monday, Jan. 30: Last day to drop semester-length classes with eligibility for partial enrollment fee refund. Last day to register (ADD) in semester-length classes (except open-entry classes)
Friday, Feb. 03: Final fee payment due date
Friday, Feb. 10: Last date for students to DROP Semester length classes without appearing on student's permanent record
Thursday, Mar 2: Cal Grant deadline to submit GPA verification & 2006-07 FAFSA. Deadline to submit Cañada Scholarship application 2006-07
Friday, April 21: Last day to withdraw from a semester-length class with a “W”
Friday, May 26: Commencement

Learning Center Workshops (These workshops are good for hours by arrangement credit.)
When: Tuesdays, from 12:35 to 1:30 pm
Where: Writing Center
2/7 Time Management
2/14 Personal Statement for Your Scholarship Application
2/23 "
2/21 Steps for Algebra Success
2/28 Listening and Taking Notes at the Same Time
3/7 Reading Your Textbook Effectively & Efficiently
3/14 The Writing Process
3/21 Research Techniques
3/28 Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
4/4 Delivering an Oral Presentation Using PowerPoint
5/2 Resume Writing and Interview Preparation
5/9 Left Brain / Right Brain: Which are You?
pizza and popcorn!!

Syllabus:
This is a rough schedule of reading assignments, in-class films and dates for papers and exams. These dates may change.
Week 1: 1/17-1/20
Class introduction.
Read: Mast, Chapter 2: "Birth" pp.12-18
Week 2: 1/23-1/27
Read: Mast, Chapter 4: "Griffith" pp.69-90
excerpts from Birth of a Nation
shorts, TBA
Week 3: 1/30-2/3
Read: Chapter 5: "Mack Sennett and the Chaplin Shorts". pp.103-117
shorts, TBA, The Gold Rush

Week 4: 2/6-2/10
Read: Chapter 6: "Movie Czars and Movie Stars" pp. 121-133, pp.155-168
quiz
Stagecoach

Week 5: 2/13-2/16
Stagecoach

Week 6: 2/21-2/24
Read: chapter 9: "Sound" pp.226-239. chapter 11: "The Studio Years" pp. 269-291
Casablanca

Week 7: 2/27-3/3
Read: chapter 12: "Hollywood in Transition" pp. 328-368
Casablanca
Week 8: 3/6-3/20
Read: chapter 13; "Neorealism and the New Wave" pp. 375-397
Once Upon a Time in the West

Week 9: 3/13-3/17
quiz
Rififi
Week 10: 3/20-3/24
Rififi
Mid-term examination

Week 11: 3/27-3/31
Touch of Evil
Read: chapter 15: "Hollywood Renaissance: 1964-76"
Week 12: 4/3-4/7
On the Waterfront
Spring Recess 4/10-4/16
Week 13: 4/17-4/21
Rebel Without a Cause
Week 14: 4-24-4/28
Midnight Cowboy
Week 15: 5/1-5/5
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Week 16: 5/8-5/12
The Motorcycle Diaries
Paper due
Week 17: 5/15-5/19
Finals