12th Grade Film Studies: Leadership Thru Film
Syllabus 2011-12
Room 316 Thursday and Friday 10:56am to 11:44am
Dennis Gereritz
Email: dgereritz@renaissancecharter.org (preferred method of contact)
Voicemail: 718-8030060 ext 705
Course description, Goals and Objectives
This Leadership course will prepare students for leadership roles in the community and in their
professions. The course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and foundation in
Leadership necessary to be effective in a variety of settings.
Students will develop an understanding of the components that make leadership successful.
Students will gain both the theoretical and practical skills necessary for success in both their
personal and professional lives. It is intended for students who are interested in gaining a
foundation in leadership studies and extended coursework in applied aspects of Leadership.
This course is built on the foundational principle that leadership is a process. With that in mind,
you will create a tentative definition of leadership and then we will turn to an analysis of the
existing theories and approaches to leadership. Along the journey, we will read excerpts of news,
research papers and literary texts and discuss hypothetical scenarios as we strive together to
understand the process of leadership. Ultimately, you will synthesize your learning into a
coherent philosophy of leadership to serve as a foundation upon which you can build and
improve your personal leadership style.
We will begin with we will limit our survey to a few emblematic films that will be used to show
different styles of leadership and the role of leaders in politics, education, economics and every
day life. We will begin by looking at the history of the industry and establishing the Hollywood
norm. What does a leader look like? What is the norm? Which traits must a leader have? After
creating a criteria for Leadership and its role we will examine the creative changes to that
“norm” model of movies has, thus creating a critical discussion about leadership and its role.
Each movie is meant to showcase particular styles of dilemmas that a leader must encounter
during his or her life. For example:
What is the nature of leadership, past present and future?
Who are some of the major innovators (leaders) in film history and why?
What evidence is there in the film that the provisions in the City of God are poor?
Who do you think is to blame for the residents living in these conditions? Is it them or their
leaders?
Why do you think the slum was called the City of God?
What should/could be done to change life in the City of God? How does the social and political
climate affect the direction of films?
How does one write good film criticism? How can a leader take a step back and be objective and
critical?
Grades:
Writing Assignments (Analysis/ Reflections / Critical Reviews) ~ 25%
Class Work ~ 30%
Tests/Class Projects Performances~ 15%
Participation ~ 30%
Required Materials:
ject notebook or composition book
pens
pencils
Highlighter
Class Rules and Expectations:
1.
Respect the class. Always try to communicate respectfully. Remember you are a critic
and need to view the films with a critical eye.
2.
Respect your classroom. Please, no food, gum, candy or drinks in the classroom. Food
attracts bugs; drinks spill and make floors/desks sticky; gum ruins books and desks.
3.
Respect your classmates. Be polite, always respect your peers. Listen to others during
conversations, raise your hands in class discussions, and do not talk over others or during films.
4.
Respect your teacher. Leave all electronics at home or in your locker. If you have an
issue with me please speak to me privately. If we cannot solve the issue together, please contact
the School Support Staff or have your parent/guardian contact me.
5.
Respect yourself. Come prepared for class every day. Be punctual (on time). Find out
about missed assignments from you classmates, teacher if you miss class.
Class topics:
 The Classic Hollywood Model (September/October)
Focusing question: What are the qualities of the classic Hollywood film?
Topics: Studio power, World War II, characterization and archetypes
Possible Movies: Casablanca, scenes from the Adventures of Robin Hood
Assignment: Write a 2-3 page paper explaining why Casablanca is classified as a classic
Hollywood film.
Class debate: What are the qualities of a classic leader?
 Film Noir (November/December)
Focusing questions: Why does Film Noir emerge in the late 1940’s and 50’s? What are its
defining characteristics?
Topics: Cold War, visual style, anti-hero and deviance.
Possible Movies: Kiss me Deadly, Devil in a Blue Dress, Bladerunner
Assignment: Present an original Noir scene. Include Noir style, characterization, and plot
motifs. Either perform the scene live, on film, or storyboard
Class debate: Are antagonists leaders? Are there different styles of leadership?
 Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Wells (January/February)
Focusing question: Why are Hitch and Wells considered such important directors?
Topics: Narrative, visual style and technology, characterization
Possible Movies: Psycho, Rope, scenes from the Birds, Notorious, Shadow of a Doubt, the
Magnificent Ambersons, Citizen Kane, and Touch of Evil
Assignment: Write a 2 page persuasive paper that argues for either Hitch or Wells as the more
significant filmmaker.
Class debate: What kind of leadership is more effective?
Autocratic. This leadership style is more direct and controlling. People tend to be more
orientated towards productivity and goals. Their strength is to get thing done and make quick
decisions. Autocratic leaders take authority and go headfirst in solving problems. They like
freedom to manage themselves and others. They tend to measure their success by the items of
task/activities they get done.
Participatory. This leadership style requires input form others. People tend to be more
concerned about the process of how the decisions are made and that everyone has a voice.
Participatory leaders tend to make decisions in a slow, thoughtful process. Generally, these
people are good listeners and cooperative.
Free Rein. This leadership style is more relaxed and supportive. People who are free rein tend to
be your regular old Joe. Details are not much of a concern, because things will get done. They
are comfortable with teamwork and group activities.
 Stanley Kubric and Alternative Narrative (March/April)
Focusing question: What is gained from an unconventional narrative?
Topics: Point of view, use of time, viewer psychology
Movies: the Killing, Momento, and scenes from the Usual Suspects and 2001 a Space Odyssey
Assignment: Watch Momento a second time. Write a 1-2 page paper expressing the story in
conventional narrative
Class debate: Leadership is also about self-inquiry. What is your actual leadership behavior?
How can you redistribute it to maximize your influence and achieve your goals.
 The 70’s War Film (May/June)
Focusing question: Why does the war film change so dramatically in the 1970’s?
Topics: Realism, political climate and patriotism, censorship
Readings: Selections from the War Film by Ian Butler
Possible Movies: M*A*S*H, Apocalypse Now, and selections from the Green Berets, and the
Deer Hunter
Assignment: Introduce final projectStudents select from the following filmmakers. Then they will research the director by watching
at least three of their films and reading criticism about their work. They will make a presentation
to the class discussing the life, innovations, and contributions of their filmmaker. This
presentation must include a film clip, prepared notes, and a works cited list.
Choices for Final Project:
Frank Capra-John Huston-John Ford-Howard Hawkes-Sidney Lumet-George Cukor-Arthur Penn
Brain De Palma-Melvin Van Peebles-Woody Allen-Spike Lee-Terry Giliam-Oliver Stone
Class debate: As a leader, what are your non-negotiables? What do we think about the patriot
act?
Leadership Chart
Behavior
Percentage of time
spent on each
behavior
Ideally the percentage of time you
would devote to each behavior
Informing
Reacting
Directing
Clarifying or
Justifying
Persuading
Collaborating
Brainstorming or
Envisioning
Reflecting (Quiet
Time for Thinking)
Observing
Disciplining
Resolving
interpersonal conflicts
Praising and/or
encouraging
Other possible leadership films.
Articulating a Vision
Pay it Forward
Building a team
Callous Leadership, bad leadership
Bamboozled
Devil Wears Prada, The
Gangs of New York, The
Gladiator
Kicking and Screaming
King Kong
Last Samurai, The
A Bug's Life
1998
2000
Miracle
A Few Good Men
2004
1992
2000
2006
2002
2000
2005
2005
2003
Reservoir Dogs
Schindler's List
Star Trek II
Superman
Swimming with Sharks
True Colors
Wall Street
Challenge the Process
Braveheart
Billy Elliot
1992
1993
1979
1978
1994
1991
1987
1995
2000