Syllabus

HUMN-1460-S1601 – The Film as Art

Credits: 3.00

Fall 2017

Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:00-3:25pm

Room C 325

Instructor: Ian Kennedy

Email: kennedyi66@macomb.edu

Office Hours: By appointment

Course Website: humanities1460fall2017.wordpress.com

Course Description

Analysis and evaluation of a variety of films as art media. Aesthetic considerations in film techniques, production, and editing. Important feature films as well as film shorts will be screened and provide the basis for discussion.

Outcomes and Objectives

Outcome 1: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to classify films based on specific film-related criteria.

Objectives:

  1. Distinguish, discuss, and write about basic film elements: i.e. script, camera, lighting, sound, editing/continuity, color, black/white, imagery, and mise-en-scène.
  2. Identify the major stages of the film process.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to objectively critique a film.

Objectives:

  1. Through an aesthetic/objective vocabulary, be able to synthesize the film experience.
  2. Distinguish diverse elements within foreign films.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to discuss the interrelationships among the various components of film.

Objectives:

  1. Identify various components of films.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to defend their subjective response to a film with objective concepts.

Objectives:

  1. Juxtapose aesthetic and technical considerations within the film.
  2. Identify film elements.
  3. View specific films regarding various film elements.
  4. Discussion on findings of specific films.

Common Degree Outcomes

  • The graduate can integrate the knowledge and technological skills necessary to be a successful learner.
  • The graduate can demonstrate how to think competently.
  • The graduate can demonstrate how to employ mathematical knowledge.
  • The graduate can demonstrate how to communicate properly.
  • The graduate is sensitive to issues relating to a diverse, global society.

Course Assessments

  1. Testing: quiz and full examination form. Specifically, there will be the following:
    • Midterm Exam on 10/11 — 20% of final grade
    • Final Exam on 12/13 — 40% of final grade
  2. Classroom discussion: student participation in general discussions and specific response to direct questioning. Participation points will be deducted if you A) never contribute to class discussion; B) spend class time using your cell phone; and C) work on assignments for other classes during our class time.
    • Class participation is worth 15% of your final grade
  3. Writing: there will be one formal, out-of-class paper:
    • Film Review Essay (4-5 pages) due 11/29 – 25% of final grade

Late Work

For the Midterm and Final, I allow make-up exams but only in exceptional medical or family circumstances and with documented proof (e.g. a doctor’s note) and no more than a week after its scheduled date.

For your Film Review Essay, I deduct one letter grade from the assignment grade for each day late.

Course Textbook

There is one required textbook for this course, which can be purchased at the campus bookstore:

Petrie, Dennis and Joseph Boggs. The Art of Watching Films. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.

Other readings will be made available in the “Online Readings” section of our course website (link below). These online readings are password protected. The password is listed in the hardcopy version of this syllabus.

Course Website

In addition to hosting our online readings, our course website will also contain back-ups of our syllabus, schedule, assignment instructions, and exam study guides (in case you lose your hardcopy versions of these documents).

Link: humanities1460fall2017.wordpress.com

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all class sessions is required. Of course, life happens—therefore, one unexcused absence will be permitted without penalty. However, two percentage points will be deducted from your final grade for each unexcused absence after your first. Additional absences will only be excused in exceptional medical or family circumstances with documented proof (e.g. a doctor’s note).

Additionally, if you come to class more than 10 minutes late, I consider you absent—no exceptions.