This class provides an introduction to the narrative and stylistic techniques used in filmmaking in order to more fully understand how meaning is constructed, conveyed, and interpreted in film.  In a participatory lecture format, you will critically explore thought-provoking films and the creative approaches behind them, actively engaging with each work and developing your own informed perspective through lectures, facilitated discussion, readings, class projects and activities, and online blogs.  You will also explore areas and aspects of film criticism like genre studies, mythic structures and postmodernism.

Prerequisites:  COMM 1335 Introduction to Radio and Television

Understanding Movies by Louis Giannetti, 12^th edition, available at ACC bookstore.  Make plans to have the book before the first day of class.

READING ASSIGNMENTS:  Additional articles, handouts and other assigned class materials will be made available on line via Blackboard.  In addition, each week you will contribute to an interactive online blog and forum on our Ning networking site at http://filmappreciation.ning.com.  This will be a virtual space for critical questions, commentary and dialogue about the screenings and readings.

• To become an active viewer of cinema, developing one’s own informed perspective through personal engagement with films using analytical tools and techniques.
• Understand the way that content, form, and contexts work together to create meaning in film.
• Be able to critically explore how film is a dynamic, multi-faceted medium, and how a work is created and received from a cultural, ideological and theoretical perspective.
• Understand the myriad of creative and technical choices that construct a work, and how ultimately each individually impacts a finished film.
• Identify and use key concepts, models and tools in film criticism.
• To consider film’s position in participatory culture and the shifting convergent media landscape.

FILM APPRECIATION is a participatory lecture format, which means we will have active in-class discussions with contributions by everyone!  A combination of tasks designed to explore various aspects of film include: storyboarding, in class group activities, creative work, role-playing, facilitated discussion, and writing exercises.  You are expected to think critically and creatively, contribute to the design of an online product, lead and contribute to discussions, and to work toward the creation of a end-of-class project film mashup project which demonstrates your learning.

GRADING

Ning Film Blogs and Forums                                               =          30 pts

Storyboards (2 @ 10 points each)                                     =           20 pts

Tests (2 @ 20 points each)                                                 =           40 pts

Analysis Papers (2 @ 20 points each)                             =           40 pts           

Film Mashup Project                                                            =           30 pts

Participation/Attendance**                                                 =           40 pts  (see policy below)

Grading Scale:  

A = (200 - 180 pts)

B = (179 - 160 pts)

C = (159 - 140 pts)

D = (139 - 120 pts)

F = (119 - 0 pts)               

**Students who miss 5 classes will be asked to drop the class.

ASSIGNMENTS DESCRIBED:  Each assignment will be discussed more fully in class.  As far as late assignments go, I accept them up until the next class meets ONLY.  All late assignments in that time frame will receive one grade deduction.  Below is an overview of assignments:

NING FILM BLOG & FORUMS:  

You will write your own weekly film commentary by setting up a personal learning blog and allowing access to the instructor and your fellow students.  The blog is designed for critical commentary, dialogue and questions.  You will use the blog at http://filmappreciation.ning.com to post your thoughts about the films at various stages as directed, writing at least 250-500 words per week.  This may include your immediate, emotional response immediately after viewing a film, and later after you’ve had a chance to apply analytic tools to the work or sections of it.  You will also write about what the film makes you think about, as well as themes and details you see as important, insight into the readings, which all should come from your own informed and unique perspective. You will at times also contribute to a featured forum where questions will be posted as well, which will expand on class discussion.

STORYBOARDS:

For several assignments you will design original storyboards of a short scenes using parameters set up in class.  Each storyboard will demonstrate key filmic strategies or techniques studied in class like camera angles, movement, or lighting.  This exercise is designed for you to apply what you’re learning in a challenging and fun way.

TESTS:

Two tests are designed to assess your understanding and application of key course concepts.  Test questions can come in a variety of forms, including:  Multiple choice, True/False, fill-in-the-blank, short answers, essays, etc.  To prepare for each test, review the chapters and articles you’ve read, class discussion notes, and class activities.  Think about the big concepts explored in class and practice articulating them in meaningful ways.  Try to think about what questions will be on the test!

ANALYSIS PAPERS:

You will write two papers during the semester based on topics discussed in class.  Both papers must be typed and posted ONLINE before class. Turn in a paper copy at the beginning of class on the DUE date. Use conventional guidelines: your name, the assignment’s name, the class, and the date at the top.  Use 12-point type, double-spaced, all margins 1.25, number pages, indent with no quotation marks around passages of 40 or more words.  When you post it online, be sure to SAVE THE FILE in a way I can tell it from others. So, put your First initial, Last Name, an Abbreviated Name of Assignment, and save as a word file.  You may REWRITE one of the two papers to improve your grade.  All rewrites are due during Week 13 of class!

FILM MASHUP PROJECT:

Have you seen JAWS remade as a love triangle?  After learning about remix culture and film mashups, you will put skills from class to use as you analyze and deconstruct a scene or film, then reconstruct various elements either into a trailer or scene that creates new meaning out the original material.  The 45 second to 2 minute video product will be posted online along with the original scene for viewing during the last week of class.

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION:

Everyone is expected to actively participate in class!  In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the student and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is the college’s hope that these differences will enhance the class and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grade will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or assignments. Rather, we will respect the views of others when expressed appropriately in classroom discussions.

Students may miss two classes with no penalty.  A third absence results in the automatic loss of one letter grade and so on.  Students who miss 5 classes will be asked to drop the class.  Excused absences require outside verification, e.g., a doctor’s note.  It is your responsibility to officially drop the class if necessary.  If you do not attend the class the entire semester, you will receive a failing grade.

GRADING POLICY

Assignment scores and final course grades are at the discretion of the professor and are non-negotiable.  If you have concerns about your progress in the class, please make an appointment early in the semester with the instructor for support and assistance.

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course.  An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at 

http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  

Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.   

Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

Safety Statement

Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center.  Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam.  To request an exam, one must have:

• ACC Photo ID
• Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)
• Course Number (e.g.,1301)
• Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)
• Course Section (e.g., 005)
• Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center.  Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester.  ACC Testing Center policies can be found athttp://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Student And Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available at:   http://www.austincc.edu/s4/

Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored.  The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Always remember to check Blackboard week-by-week for announcements, readings and changes.  This is a tentative schedule and we will cover each of the topics below during the semester, some in greater detail than others and not necessarily in the following order, subject to change. 

Readings and assignments are to be COMPLETED BY THE ASSIGNED DATE!  You will be expected to stay ahead of the readings and to comment on readings each week in blogs and forums in the Film Appreciation Site at http://filmappreciation.ning.com