ENGLISH 315 CINEMATIC REVIEW

Dr. Rachela Permenter Spring 1994, Slippery Rock University

Texts:
Understanding Movies. Louis Giannetti. Prentice Hall, 6th ed.
A Short Guide to Writing About Film. Timothy Corrigan. Harper Collins, 2nd ed.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE READING ASSIGNMENTS FOR CLASS ON THE DAY THEY ARE LISTED. * indicates that a Card Report is due. THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE COURSE PROCEEDS:

Jan. 14 Intro to Course Wizard of Oz

Jan. 24 The Commitments , "Movement," Movies, chap. 3
Jan. 26 The Commitments , "Movement," Movies, chap. 3
Jan. 28 * The Commitments , "Movement," Movies, chap. 3

Jan. 31 Maltese Falcon,"Editing," Movies, chap. 4
Feb. 2 Maltese Falcon,"Editing," Movies, chap. 4
Feb. 4 EXAM

Feb. 14 Citizen Kane "Synthesis," Movies, chap. 12
Feb. 16 * Citizen Kane "Synthesis," Movies, chap. 12
Feb. 18 Citizen Kane Sample Paper, Writing 66-68

Feb. 21 French Lieutenant's Woman "Story," Movies, chap. 8
Feb. 23 French Lieutenant's Woman "Story," Movies, chap. 8
Feb. 25 French Lieutenant's Woman "Story," Movies, chap. 8

Feb. 28 * Thunderheart "Research," "Quotations," etc., Writing135-40, 155-69
Mar. 2 No Regular Class (Schindler's List viewing on Feb. 7 will replace this class time). DUE: Film Journal with photocopies of reviews

SPRING BREAK MAR. 2 - 13

Mar. 14 Thunderheart (cont. discussion) "Ideology," Movies, chap. 10
Mar. 16 Cinema Paradiso , "Ideology," (cont.)
Mar. 18 * Cinema Paradiso , "Ideology," (cont.) (Note: Card Report must be an ideological analysis)

Mar. 21 The Fisher King Intros & Concl., Writing 117-21
Mar. 23 The Fisher King "Tone," "Cliché," Writing 109-10
Mar. 25 DUE: Review

Mar. 28 Rumble Fish "Theory," Movies, chap. 11
Mar. 30 Rumble Fish"Theory," Movies, chap. 11

EASTER BREAK APRIL 1 - 4

Apr. 6 Wish You Were Here Papers, Writing 72-76, 89-104
Apr. 8 * Wish You Were Here (Note: Card Report must be a theoretical analysis)

Apr. 11 Fried Green Tomatoes or Juliet of the Spirits
Apr. 13 Fried Green Tomatoes or Juliet of the Spirits
Apr. 15 DUE: Critical Paper #1

Apr. 25 Buffalo Bill and the Indians, El Norte, or Story of Women
Apr. 27 Buffalo Bill and the Indians, El Norte, or Story of Women
Apr. 29 Buffalo Bill and the Indians, El Norte, or Story of Women

May 2 On the Waterfront
May 4 On the Waterfront
May 6 Marlon Brando, James Dean, & American Rebellion

FINALS WEEK MAY 9-13:
NOTE: CLASS WILL MEET FOR FINAL EXAM PERIOD
DUE: Critical Paper #2

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Class attendance for all scheduled meetings and viewing of all required films.

2. One essay examination. Questions regarding material in Understanding Movies.

3. Six Card Reports. Each is an analysis of one film on a 5x7 card.

4. A Film Journal. Wp/computer-printed responses to three films (11/2-2 pp. per film). Combine techniques for reviews and critical papers as you wish, but use both. Include photocopies of two reviews for each of two films (a total of four). Hint: Get reviews of your group's films to enhance your leading of class discussions.

5. Leading class discussions (in a group of 3 or 4) on two scheduled days. One of these presentations should be in "Siskel and Ebert" format with a question & answer period. Be prepared to show carefully-selected clips from the film. It is suggested that you report from your findings in journal and newspaper reviews, but remember that your goal is lively discussion, not reading aloud from a review.

6. Three formal papers. One review and two critical papers. It is recommended that you expand your responses from your film journals and/or card reports.

BASIS FOR GRADES

Final grades for this course will be assessed by your percentage of points.
Scale:
92-100% = A
81-91% = B
70-80% = C
62-69% = D
0-61% = F

Essay Exam . . . . . 100 pts.
Card Reports . . . . . 150 pts.
Group Presentations . . . . . 50 pts.
Review . . . . . 75 pts.
Critical Paper #1 . . . . . 100 pts.
Critical Paper #2 . . . . . 100 pts.
TOTAL POSSIBLE: 575 pts.

Late Work: For each day an assignment is late 10% of pts. will be deducted (approximately one letter grade).

Absence: Absence and tardiness are strongly discouraged. For each unexcused absence above three, 25 points will be deducted from your final grade. Absences beyond three will be excused only if documentation from a dean or medical doctor is provided.

Conferences: You are encouraged to visit the instructor during office hours or by appointment to discuss assignments, films, grading, presentations, papers, journals, etc.