Th 1051 - Introduction to Film
MTWThF 9:00-12:00
Bohannon 90
May Session 2004
 
Instructor: Tom Isbell
Office: 148 MPAC
Phone: 726-6313
Home Page: http://www.d.umn.edu/~tisbell/
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs. 12:00-1:00
E-Mail: tisbell@d.umn.edu/
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"This is a Category 9 Liberal Education class. Courses in this category should familiarize students with the basic aims, elements, and principles of interpretation and criticism of literature, folklore, myth, the visual arts, dance, film, music, and theatre. Emphasis should be on principles and techniques of analysis, interpretation, and criticism."

COURSE OBJECTIVE: To acquire and develop an understanding of and a greater appreciation for the art and history of film. To position contemporary American and international cinema in its broader historical and cultural contexts. To think critically about the act of filmmaking.

COURSE ACTIVITIES:

REQUIRED READING:

IF INTERESTED:

Books:
Cook, David A. A History of Narrative Film. W. W. Norton & Company.
Cooper, Dona. Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV. American Film Institute.
Katz, Ephraim. The Film Encyclopedia. Putnam Publishing Group.
Mast, Gerald. A Short History of the Movies. Bobbs-Merrill Educational Publishing.
 
Russian, Robin and Downs, William Missouri. Screenplay: Writing the Picture. Silman-James Press.
Thompson, Kristin and David Bordwell. Film History: An Introduction. McGraw-Hill.
Links:
 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Course Evaluation

Assignment

Point Value
Quiz 10-20 points
Midterm Exam 60-100 points
Final Exam 60-100 points

At the end of the semester, points will be totaled and graded on the following scale:

Grading Scale

Letter Grade

Percentage
A 91-100
A- 88-90
B+ 85-87
B 81-84
B- 78-80
C+ 75-77
C 72-74
C- 69-71
D+ 66-68
D 62-65

Course Outline

Day

Date

Assignment
Mon. May 17 The Business. The Beginnings. A Trip to the Moon. The Great Train Robbery.
Tues. May 18 The Birth of a Nation. The Rink. Chapter 1 Lecture.
Wed. May 19 Chapters 2-3 Lecture. Battleship Potemkin.
Thurs. May 20 Quiz (The Beginnings; Chapters 1-2). Chapter 3 Lecture. It Happened One Night.
Fri. May 21 Chapters 3, 4 Lectures.
Mon. May 24 Stagecoach. Chapter 5 Lecture.
Tues. May 25 Midterm Exam. Chapter 5 Lecture.
Wed. May 26 Citizen Kane. Chapter 6 Lecture.
Thurs. May 27 Casablanca. Chapter 6 Lecture.
Fri. May 28 Chapter 8 Lecture.
Mon. May 31 No class - Holiday
Tues. June 1 North by Northwest. Chapters 8, 7 Lectures.
Wed. June 2 The Graduate. Chapter 7 Lecture.
Thurs. June 3 Amelie.
Fri. June 4 Final Exam.

EXAMS:

Both the Midterm and Final Exams will consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, True/False, and matching. Students will be responsible for reading the text, all class lectures, and knowledge of films viewed in class.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

There will be regular class discussions to analyze current films. Students will be expected to see current movies, participate in these discussions, and voice their opinions, backing up their opinions with specific examples. As the semester progresses, students will be expected to speak specifically in terms of the film elements learned in class.

You will be responsible for all material viewed, discussed and assigned. If you miss a class, you will need to borrow those notes from another student, not the instructor. If you miss a film, you will need to rent it on your own.

This is a floating syllabus. Films, dates, and lectures may change, based on schedules, conflicts, and the progress of the class. There may also be other assignments throughout the semester. Point total possibilities will be announced when the new assignment is given.

I invite individuals who have any legitimate disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class, to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptations of methods, materials or testing may be made as required to provide equitable participation.
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