Syllabus

ENGLISH 125 THE ART OF CINEMA DR. MCINERNEY; THE SYLLABUS
GOALS
I hope that, after completing this course, you will be able to: 1.) identify the artistic elements which go into any fiction film; 2.) analyze the contributions made to any fiction film by each of the principal artists involved in its production; and 3.) express, either orally or in writing, your appreciation of cinema as an art form with its own aesthetic capabilities and rules.
TEXT
UNDERSTANDING MOVIES, by Louis Giannetti. Published by Prentice-Hall. (Available in the University Bookstore)
METHODS
Readings from the text, Lectures, Discussions, and Guided Film-Viewing.
ASSIGNMENTS
TWO FILM REVIEWS, each 3 to 5 pages long, typed double-space, each one analyzing a narrative/ fictional film seen in a theatre or on television, or on a VCR. Students may choose any film they wish as the subject of a review, but they should not select a film which has been or will be viewed and studied by the class as a whole. Each review should concentrate principally on the contributions of a particular film artist. Specifically, the first review should spotlight the work of the writer or the cinematographer, and the second should focus on the achievement of the editor or the director. (Suggested formats for these papers will be distributed later.) DUE DATES: JUNE 16, JUNE 24.
REACTION PARAGRAPHS: at least once a week, you will be asked to respond to a question posed at the end of a class discussion by writing your reaction in a paragraph which you will hand in at the end of that class session.
EXAMINATIONS
There will be two examinations:
A. The Mid-Term, which will be a fill-in-the-blank exam based on chapters assigned, lectures given, discussions held, and films viewed, up to that date, WHICH WILL BE JUNE 12.
NOTE: some of the questions will be appropriately answered with a word or short phrase; others may require a sentence or two of explanation.
B. The Final, which will be in two parts: first, another series of "fill-ins" like those on the Mid-Term, and drawn from the chapters, lectures, discussions, and films experienced since the Mid-Term; second, a discussion question in which you will be asked to describe how you would attempt to produce and direct a film adaptation of a previously assigned short story. (The story and suggestions for what to include in your description will be distributed later.)
THE FINAL WILL BE GIVEN ON JUNE 27.

GRADES
Final Grades will be determined by averaging numerical equivalents of the letter grades earned on the two exams, the two papers, and the average grade earned on the reaction paragraphs. (Thus each student's final grade will be based on an average of 5 grades earned during the semester.) In doubtful cases, when the average seems to be poised between two letter grades, factors such as the trend of the marks and the degree of class participation will be used to tip the balance.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
I will call the roll each day, and students who have more than two unexcused absences can expect to have their grades lowered to some degree. NOTE: an "excused absence" is one which you have foreseen and which you have discussed with me and obtained my approval of -- in advance!
LATE PAPER" POLICY
All assignments must be handed in on the due dates, UNLESS you and I have agreed in advance that your particular circumstances warrant a revised due date. Late papers submitted without such prior understandings will receive automatically lowered grades.
PLAGIARISM WARNING
Students may consult secondary sources (magazine reviews, critical books, etc.) during the preparation of their own reviews, but whatever you borrow from a specific source, whether it is a fact, an opinion, or an idea, and whether you also borrow the wording of the original or use your own words to convey it, MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED WITH AN INTERTEXTUAL NOTE AND A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ENTRY IN A LIST OF SOURCES AT THE END OF THE PAPER. Failure to follow this rule merits an "F" for the paper, and perhaps for the course.
LET'S TALK
I would be happy to talk with you privately about your progress in the course or about any subject related to your academic progress at the University. If you would like to "talk things over," see me before or after class, or call me at 941-7659, to set up an appointment. My office is in room 203 of the Center for Literary and Performing Arts. my e-mail address is MCINERNEYJ1@UofS.edu.
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND FILMS
WEEK #1, JUNE 2-5
FILMS: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS JANE PITTMAN; CHAPTERS 1-3
CITIZEN KANE
WEEK #2, JUNE 9-12
FILMS: TOOTSIE CHAPTERS 6, 7-10
VICTOR/ VICTORIA
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
WEEK #3, JUNE 16-19
FILMS: DOCTOR ZHIVAGO CHAPTER 4, P. 291
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
STRANGERS ON A TRAIN
WEEK #4, JUNE 23-26
FILMS: NORTH BY NORTHWEST SHORT STORY
THE SEVENTH SEAL
BLUE VELVET

Return to Main Page