Houston Community College System
Southwest: Stafford Campus
Survey and History of Film and Television
DRAM 2366 SECT: 70312
Spring 2011
Instructor: Marcelo Gonzalez
713-718-7820
Location/Time: Scarcella Science & Technology Center
Thursday 6:00 – 10:00PM STF2/W112
Marcelo.gonzalez@hccs.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Credit: 3 (3 Lecture) Emphasis on the analysis of the visual and aural aspects of selected
motion pictures, dramatic aspects of narrative films, and historical growth and sociological effect
of film as an art. Core curriculum course.
Crosslisted with COMM 2366
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
Have an historical perspective on films made from 1890 – 2000
Identify historically significant films from 1890-2000
Define significant American film genres and Identify key films of those genres
Course Goals:
Students will be measured on a weekly basis of their appreciation for films and subjects analyzed
the previous week. Students must also research, complete a paper and make a presentation on an
historically significant film that is not covered in class and that has been assigned by the
instructor.
REQUIRED TEXT(S)AND MATERIALS:
DVD of final project program (we will discuss this later)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:
Students are expected to attend every class day and be present by the start of class. HCCS allows
for a total of 12.5% lecture hours missed per semester; after that, the instructor may drop you
from the course. In this course 6 hours or 2 classes is 12.5%.
A student must be in class within the first 20 minutes of class to be considered “on time”. After
20 minutes, a student is considered “tardy”, and this will result in a ½ absence of the day’s total
hours.
2. QUIZZES. (10 of 11)
In lieu of exams, students will be given a weekly quiz on the previous week’s covered material.
You will be given 11 quizzes, but the lowest one will be dropped. Missed quizzes count as a “0”
grade and will count towards your dropped quizzes. Quizzes are given electronically using
Blackboard on the HCC website. Each quiz is available from the Friday after the class lecture
until the next Thursday class. YOU MUST TAKE THE ONLINE QUIZ DURING THE WEEK
AFTER THE LECTURE. You will have 15-20 minutes to take the quiz. You cannot make up
quizzes after the electronic deadline.
GRADING POLICY:
Quizzes (10 of 11)
Attendance and Participation
85 points
15 points
TOTAL
100 points
Grading scale according to HCCS Student Handbook.
OTHER POLICIES:
All rules of the HCCS Student Handbook will be adopted in this class. This includes guidelines
for the following:
CONDUCT: students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous
manner. Treating each other with respect and courtesy is a must. Any behavior disrespectful,
discourteous, or otherwise disruptive to the class and/or the instructor will not be tolerated and
will result in student penalty which may include grade reduction and expulsion from the class.
LEAVING CLASS: If a student needs to leave class before the class is officially over, the
student must ask permission of the instructor to leave. The instructor, under almost all
circumstances, will excuse the student without explanation. It is not appropriate for the student to
leave class without acknowledging the instructor first and getting approval. Not adhering to this
policy will result in grade penalty.
CELL PHONES: Simply put, RINGING CELL PHONES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN
CLASS. please turn cell phones off before you come to class. If there is a potential situation
where a student needs to be in cell phone contact during class, the situation must be discussed IN
ADVANCE with the instructor and receive the instructor’s approval. If your cell phone rings
during class, it will result in grade penalty.
COURSE OUTLINE: (subject to change)
Meeting Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Day
Activity
Introduction
Silent Films
Quiz #1
Slapstick Comedy and Modern Times
Quiz #2
Bonus Assignment given
Film Noir and Citizen Kane
Quiz #3
Week 4
Casablanca
Quiz #4
Week 5
German Expressionism and Horror
Quiz #5
Week 6
The Epic Film and Ben Hur
Quiz #6
Week 7
The Graduate
Quiz #7
Week 8
Taxi Driver
Quiz #8
Martin Scorsese and Taxi Driver
TBA
11/23/2010 4:00PM LAST WITHDRAWL DAY
Week 9
Week 10
Westerns
Quiz #9
Week 11
Musicals
Quiz #10
Week 12
TBA
Quiz #11
DISCIPLINE
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling
course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College
System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
“Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion.
“CHEATING” on a test includes:
- Copying from another student test paper;
- Using material during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test;
- Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
- Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part
the contents of an unadministered test;
- Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
“PLAGIARISM” means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s written work offered for credit.
“COLLUSION”
means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing
written work offered for credit.
VIOLATIONS
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of “0” or “F” on the
particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for suspension or
expulsion will be referred to the College Dean of Students for disciplinary disposition.
Students who wish to appeal a grade penalty should notify the instructional supervisor within
30 working days of the incident. A standing committee appointed by the College Dean of
Instruction will convene to sustain, reduce, or reverse the grade penalty. The committee will
be composed of two students, two faculty members, and one instructional administrator. A
majority vote will decide the grade appeal and its final.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
If you have a disability that qualifies you under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act),
please contact Dr. Becky Hauri, 713-718-7909 to determine accommodations.