Evaluation for ENGL 2723 Film I
This course is designed to study film as narrative. The theoretical and critical approach is primarily from a cultural studies perspective, but students will also be introduced to the history of cinema and its relation to art and aesthetics.
Evaluation: Essay 20%; Journal 40%; final exam 40%.
First assignment:
For your essay you must compare and contrast at least two films watched in class with two or more films of your own choosing. Remember, you will be judged on the films you choose so choose wisely. By the end of the course you should have acquired some cineliteracy skills and so you will be expected to discuss film as a narrative form in both your final essay and your final exam. Among other things, students should have an understanding of the nature of modern fame, i.e. celebrity culture, the difference between art and entertainment, the roll of politics and money in movies, the manipulative nature of the Hollywood imperative, the commodification of sexuality and culture, and the nature of art house and auteur cinema. Your paper is due on October 14th.
Journal
A more informal style of writing, your journal should record notes from class, conversations with fellow students, family, friends et. al. about cinema and its cultural impact. The journal/notebook should also highlight research you have been doing: reading and viewing you will have done in the library or on the net. This is the independent learning section of the course. Students with access to Netflicks will find a good selection there as well. You will be expected to write reviews and summaries of their themes, plots, performances and style; and to make comparisons with other films you have seen over your lifetime of movie viewing. You should try to write/ compose at least two entries per week. The length of these entries depends on your writing skills but try to avoid point form. Set a goal of one or two pages per week. Remember, the journal is also a writing and communicating exercise. Do not fear the blank page, as no one learns how to write well overnight. You must, however, try to critique the celebrity culture that has largely been the background of your movie-going experience. Try to step back from it and critique its negative power and qualities while at the same time appraising the merits of film and film culture in general. You may send your journal to me for comment at any time but the final journal is due on the last dayt of class.
NOTE: Exam
Because of Covid 19 you must do your final exam as a take home, open book, essay. You will be given 6 or more questions on the last day of class from which you will choose two questions and write two essays from four to six typed pages in length. All take homes are due on the day of the exam. Only a legitimate excuse from the Registrar’s Office will be accepted for late exams or papers at the end of term. All papers must be submitted digitally.
Evaluation for ENGL 2723 Film I
This course is designed to study film as narrative. The theoretical and critical approach is primarily from a cultural studies perspective, but students will also be introduced to the history of cinema and its relation to art and aesthetics.
Evaluation: Essay 20%; Journal 40%; final exam 40%.
First assignment:
For your essay you must compare and contrast at least two films watched in class with two or more films of your own choosing. Remember, you will be judged on the films you choose so choose wisely. By the end of the course you should have acquired some cineliteracy skills and so you will be expected to discuss film as a narrative form in both your final essay and your final exam. Among other things, students should have an understanding of the nature of modern fame, i.e. celebrity culture, the difference between art and entertainment, the roll of politics and money in movies, the manipulative nature of the Hollywood imperative, the commodification of sexuality and culture, and the nature of art house and auteur cinema. Your paper is due on October 14th.
Journal
A more informal style of writing, your journal should record notes from class, conversations with fellow students, family, friends et. al. about cinema and its cultural impact. The journal/notebook should also highlight research you have been doing: reading and viewing you will have done in the library or on the net. This is the independent learning section of the course. Students with access to Netflicks will find a good selection there as well. You will be expected to write reviews and summaries of their themes, plots, performances and style; and to make comparisons with other films you have seen over your lifetime of movie viewing. You should try to write/ compose at least two entries per week. The length of these entries depends on your writing skills but try to avoid point form. Set a goal of one or two pages per week. Remember, the journal is also a writing and communicating exercise. Do not fear the blank page, as no one learns how to write well overnight. You must, however, try to critique the celebrity culture that has largely been the background of your movie-going experience. Try to step back from it and critique its negative power and qualities while at the same time appraising the merits of film and film culture in general. You may send your journal to me for comment at any time but the final journal is due on the last dayt of class.
NOTE: Exam
Because of Covid 19 you must do your final exam as a take home, open book, essay. You will be given 6 or more questions on the last day of class from which you will choose two questions and write two essays from four to six typed pages in length. All take homes are due on the day of the exam. Only a legitimate excuse from the Registrar’s Office will be accepted for late exams or papers at the end of term. All papers must be submitted digitally.