Madness in Movies:
Abnormal Psychology in American Film
A Coordinated Studies Course at NSCC
Spring Quarter 2012
Basic Information
Instructors:
Brian Holt, Psychology
brian.holt@seattlecolleges.edu
https://people.northseattle.edu/users/bholt
206-934-7017
Office: 2322B IB Building
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:0012:00 and Fridays, 10:00-11:00
JC Clapp, English/Humanities
jc.clapp@seattlecolleges.edu
http://facweb.northseattle.edu/jclapp
206-934-4531
Office: 2313A IB Building
Office Hours: Wednesdays 2:00-4:30 p.m., and by
appointment
Course Meeting: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00-2:30 in room CC2153 on NSCC campus.
Class Canvas website: We have an online classroom that supports the class. You are required to use the website to
take your quizzes, and many of our class materials, such as the syllabus and course calendar, will be available there. To
access our online course, go to: https://canvas.northseattle.edu/ Your username is your complete 9-digit NSCC
student ID number. For example, if your student ID number is 955-55-4411, then your username would be 955554411.
Your password is the first six letters of your last name. If your last name has five letters or fewer, then your password
is your last name repeated until you get to six letters. For example, if your last name is “Smith” then your password
would be “smiths” -- if your last name is “Ma” then your password would be “mamama”. If you have troubles logging
on, contact the Distance Learning office help desk: (206) 934-3738 or email them at distance@seattlecolleges.edu
Disciplines (Course Abbreviation and Number):
Students must be enrolled in any combination of below courses totaling 10 credits:
● PSYC& 220: Abnormal Psychology (5 credits)
● ENGL& 102: Composition (5 credits)
● HUM 110: Introduction to American Film (5 credits)
If desired, students may also enroll in one of the following 2 credit courses:
● ENGL 296: Special Topics in English (2 credits)
● PSYC 298: Individual Study in Psychology (2 credits)
Prerequisite:
ENGL& 102 requires the student to have passed ENGL& 101. However, we require all students in this Coordinated
Studies class to have taken ENGL& 101, regardless of whether or not you are registered for ENGL& 102. During the
first week of the term, you must provide us with a copy of your transcript (unofficial is fine!) that shows you've taken
English 101 and passed it.
Course Content and Format
Our course will consist of listening to lecture, viewing film clips, participating in group and class discussions writing
assignments, collaborating with your peers, reading the assigned texts, taking quizzes and exams, and learning in the
company of others. The time in class will be loosely divided between the various disciplines along with times of
integration of ideas. We only meet two days per week, which means there will be a significant amount of reading,
writing, film viewing, and other activities required in preparation for each class session. You are expected to have
done the assigned readings, write-ups, film viewings and discussion preparation before the class they are required for,
so that you may be an active participant in class activities. Expect to spend 20 hours per week reading and preparing
for class.
Disclaimer!
We will be openly and frankly discussing some difficult subject matter. You will see graphic media images (i.e. sexual
and violent) and discuss topics (and read/hear language) that may not be entirely comfortable for you. Films may
have an R-rating, so if you are under 18 years of age, please check with your parent/guardian to determine if this
course is appropriate for you. Much learning can happen by examining the limits of our comfort zone and questioning
why we’re uncomfortable. However, if you don't feel this course material is appropriate for you, please consider
withdrawing from the course, since alternatives will not be provided.
Books and Required Reading
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, 7th edition by Ronald Comer (no, the 6th edition won’t work)
Film Art: An Introduction, 10th edition by David Bordwell & Kristin Thompson
Writing About Movies, 3rd edition by Gocsik, Barsam & Monahan
Course Packet. Available at Prestige Copy and Print (11023 8th Ave NE # B- near the Starbucks, behind
Greenlake Jewelers on Northgate Way). Cost is approximately $20.
Required Film List
You are required to obtain the films for this course and watch them on your own. Many students find that it's easiest
to set up an online film account such as NetFlix so that films arrive in the mail. Another option is to rent the movies
from your local video store (such as Rain City Video or Scarecrow Video). All public libraries, such as the Seattle Public
Library, and the King County Library System have the required films that you can check out. The NSCC Library, has all
of our assigned films, as well, available for free checkout (for viewing in the library). The films are listed here in the
order they are assigned:
Required Films:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
American Beauty (1999) Sam Mendes --will need this film the very first week,
Matchstick Men (2003) Ridley Scott
Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcock
The Hours (2002) Stephen Daldry
Girl, Interrupted (1999) James Mangold
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003) Nick Broomfield
Monster (2003) Patty Jenkins
Silence of the Lambs (1991) Jonathan Demme
Taxi Driver (1976) Martin Scorsese
A Beautiful Mind (2001) Ron Howard
Saving Private Ryan (1998) Steven Spielberg
Course Learning Outcomes
(how this course meets the Essential Learning Outcomes at NSCC)
ELO -- Knowledge: Facts, theories, perspectives, and methodologies within the discipline
The specific outcomes of PSYC&220 that will address this ELO are:
1. To understand the history, attitudes and treatment toward those labeled with mental disorders.
2. To understand the definitions, descriptions, theories, causes and treatments of the disorders covered in this
class.
3. With respect to the population of people labeled mentally disordered, apply what is learned in the class to one’s
personal attitudes and behaviors
4. To think critically in reading, writing and listening.
5. To understand the nature of the individual and of the relationship between the self and the community.
ELO -- Intellectual and Practical Skills: Communication and Self-expression
The specific outcomes of ENGL&102 that will address this ELO are:
1. To read critically in order to analyze, discuss, evaluate and respond to texts.
2. To write in order to discover the meanings in texts of others.
3. To write in order to discover one’s own ideas in relation to the texts of others.
4. To develop the skills of writing to communicate ideas to a particular audience. In this class, that will include
other students as well as the teachers.
5. To paraphrase, quote, and cite sources according to conventional MLA form, and to integrate source materials
smoothly into their own words in order to add support and emphasis to their own writing.
6. To produce writing that has been revised, edited, and proofread, and to submit the work on time.
7. To continue developing one’s voice as a writer.
8. To conduct limited, focused research and evaluate sources and information.
ELO -- Personal and Social Responsibility: Intercultural knowledge and competence
The specific outcomes of HUM 110 that will address this ELO are:
1. Gives students the opportunity to explore the role of film in expressing and reflecting all aspects of human
experience.
2. Introduces the history of the medium and the classics of the art form.
3. Teaches visual communication techniques.
4. Provides critical thinking tools.
5. Gives students the opportunity to explore the role of motion pictures in their lives and on American Society.
6. Connects the communications medium of film with the philosophies and historic events which shape America
and the world.
7. Provides the intellectual framework to study the contributions of diverse film makers.
8. Studies the role of ethnically and culturally diverse creators in their communities and society at large.
Grades and Grading
Grades in this class are not given based on effort. While it’s true that lots of effort usually results in higher quality
work, there is no way for us to accurately and fairly assess how much effort a particular student puts into his or her
assignment. So, assignments are graded solely based on what’s on the page – not how much the student tried. For
each assignment there are grading criteria attached to the assignment sheet. We will use those grading criteria to
assess each student’s paper.
Your final course grade will be calculated like this:
Total Quiz Points = 200 points
includes:
Film Reading Quizzes = 100 points
Psychology Reading Quizzes = 100 points
Total Seminar Paper Points= 200 points
includes:
10 Seminar Papers at 20 points each
Group Capstone Project = 330 points
includes:
One page ID sheet = 5 points
Thesis Statement = 5 points
Outline/Plan for Part 4 = 20 points
Annotated Bibliography for Part 4 = 25 points
Part 1 (Empirical Report) = 30 points
Part 2 (Analysis of Disorder in the Film) = 50 points
Part 3 (How Disorder Communicated in the Film) = 75 points
Part 4 (Cultural Analysis Essay of the Film) = 100 points
Reflection Letter = 20 points
Total points available: 730
Please note what the grades on your papers indicate (according to the Seattle Community College’s grading
standards):
Percentage
Letter Grade
Decimal Grade
Indication of Performance
96% or more
A
4.0
Excellent
94%-95%
A
3.9
93%
A-
3.8
92%
A-
3.7
91%
A-
3.6
90%
A-
3.5
89%
B+
3.4
88%
B+
3.3
87%
B+
3.2
86%
B
3.1
85%
B
3.0
84%
B
2.9
83%
B-
2.8
82%
B-
2.7
81%
B-
2.6
80%
B-
2.5
79%
C+
2.4
78%
C+
2.3
High
Average
77%
C+
2.2
76%
C
2.1
75%
C
2.0
74%
C
1.9
73%
C-
1.8
72%
C-
1.7
71%
C-
1.6
70%
C-
1.5
69%
D+
1.4
68%
D+
1.3
67%
D+
1.2
66%
D
1.1
65%
D
1.0
64% and below
F
0.0
Minimum
Unsatisfactory
The grade given at the end of the quarter will be based on a 4.0 scale. No grades of I (“incomplete”) or NC (“no
credit”) will be granted except in the most extreme circumstances. If you do not feel you will be able to complete the
course to your satisfaction, it is your responsibility to drop/withdraw from the course. For more information regarding
withdrawing and other registration related questions: https://northseattle.edu/online-services/online-registrationtools
ENGL 296/PSY 298 Credit:
ENGL 296/PSYC 298 is an optional 2-credit class that students can take in conjunction with the 10-credit “Madness in
Movies” Coordinated Studies class. This 2-credit class requires approximately 40-50 total hours of work in addition to
the work for our Coordinated Studies course. The grade for the ENGL 296/PSYC 298 course will be independent of the
grade given in the Coordinated Studies classes. ENGL 296/PSYC 298 is a student-driven course with some instructor
oversight, but you, as the student, are expected to be independent and responsible for your own learning and work.
Our class time won’t be spent on this independent coursework. There is a handout that explains the details of earning
this credit. If you are enrolled, please make sure you get a copy of it.
Descriptions of Assignments
Viewing the Films:
All of the required films you need to watch on your own (or with a group of classmates, if you choose). There are
discussion questions for each of the assigned films found in our course packet. Please use these discussion questions
to guide your viewing of the films, and be prepared, with written notes, to answer the questions on the guide in class.
We will be using the questions in class, and you need to have detailed notes/answers prepared ahead of time. Part of
your participation grade is based on whether or not you come to class prepared.
Seminar Papers:
For every film you watch, you need to complete a Seminar Paper. There will be a total of 10 of these seminar papers,
and each is worth 20 points. All of the seminar papers will guide the discussion in class, and therefore are due at the
beginning of the class period at 10:00 a.m. No late seminar papers are ever accepted ("late" is anything later than
10:00 a.m. on the day they're due). An assignment sheet is in our course packet that explains exactly what you need to
do for each of the seminar papers. They are preparation for class discussion, and are considered part of your
participation in class.
Papers and Projects: There is a large and complicated Capstone Project that contains multiple smaller assignments and
parts. All of the details are explained in the Capstone Project handout in our course packet. There are both individual
as well as group assignments. Please follow the instructions carefully.
Quizzes: Each Tuesday there is a short (10 question) multiple choice reading quiz for both the Psychology and the Film
textbooks. The quizzes are always due at 9:30 a.m. PST. You must be finished taking the quiz by that time. See the
course calendar for when the various quizzes are due. The quizzes are open-book and open-note. Missed quizzes may
not be made up. To take the weekly reading quiz, go to the Canvas online classroom . No answers will be accepted
after the allotted time. You are allowed to take a quiz twice. The higher of the two quiz scores will be the one recorded
in the gradebook. Each time you take the quiz you will be given a randomized set of questions and answers, so you will
likely not get the exact same quiz the second time you take it. If you choose to take the quiz a second time, the second
attempt must be completed by 9:30 a.m. PST on the due date.The Canvas system automatically grades your quiz and
puts the grade immediately into your GRADES area (available via the homepage).
Policies
Participation/Attendance Policy:
Class attendance and participation are essential. Participation is coming to class every day on time and staying for the
entire class, paying attention in class by taking notes, participating constructively in class activities and discussions,
asking and answering questions in class, and coming to class prepared with your reading done, the films viewed (and
notes taken!), and your writing assignment finished. Good participation means that you are engaged, respectful,
inquisitive, and responsible.
Electronic Paraphernalia Policy:
No electronic devices whatsoever are allowed in our classroom. This means you must turn off your iPod, laptop,
translator, and cell phone. Put them away in your bag (not on your desk). You can use your electronics during the
breaks, only. Occasionally we will tell you that it’s okay to have your laptop to watch film clips in class, but other than
that, please put it away.
Homework and Late Paper Policies/Missed Exams/Emailing Assignments:
We never accept late assignments, and after you've missed them they can't be made up. We also do not accept any
assignments over email. All Seminar Papers must be handed in in-person and in-class on the day they are due. They
will not be accepted any other way, since they are part of class participation. Assignments are due at 10:00 a.m. You
may not drop off your Seminar Paper and then leave.
Classroom and Email Etiquette:
When emailing your instructors, please use correct spelling and grammar. Spell out words and do not use “text
speak.” It is customary and polite when sending an email to provide a greeting at the beginning (such as “Hi Brian and
JC”) and a closing with your full name at the end (such as “Sincerely,” or “Thanks”, “Joe Smith”). Send all emails to
both of us, please. Please be respectful in email correspondence - it’s good practice for a future work environment. In
addition, this course deals with some topics which may elicit feelings of discomfort and vulnerability. We ask that all
students treat each other as a community of learners: with respect, kindness, and compassion.
Plagiarism Policy (Academic Honesty):
The assignments for this class are unique and specific, so a plagiarized paper will not go unnoticed. If you choose to
plagiarize a paper, or to cheat in any way, you will receive 0 points on that assignment and a formal report will be filed
with the college requesting disciplinary action. You will not be given a warning. A copy of the plagiarism policy is in our
course packet.
Student Resources
Page One Writing Center (formerly called “The Loft”):
Page One is the campus language lab/writing center, located on the top floor of the library. One of the primary
attributes of the writing center is the free tutoring! The tutoring sessions last 30 minutes, are held on a first-come first
served basis, and can help you with reading, writing, grammar, listening and speaking. They also do online tutoring.
For more information: http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/ We have found that in general the more a student
uses the Loft services, the higher his/her grades tend to be.
Students with Disabilities:
Disabilities Services (DS) provides services and assistance to students with permanent or temporary physical, mental,
learning, or sensory disabilities. The American Disabilities Act is designed to ensure that students with disabilities have
an equal opportunity to access academic programs and successfully complete their studies. Any student with special
needs must bring documentation to Disability Services before any academic adjustments will be made. Any contacts
and/or information will remain strictly confidential. If you have a documented disability, register with DS, and speak
to us as soon as possible about any course adaptations or accommodations you might need, or if you have emergency
medical information or special arrangements in case of an evacuation so that we can be aware of your needs. Located
in College Center Room 2346A, 206-934-3697, http://www.northseattle.edu/services/disability/
Counseling Center:
This course may awaken some difficult personal issues for you, but our offices or our classroom is not the place to
handle them. Please seek the guidance of the counseling center if you find yourself needing mental health support.
The counseling center provides an array of free academic support services, including consultations on study skills, test
taking, and concentration issues. They are also available to help students with career counseling and stress
management; they offer support for both academic and personal issues. They are located in the College Center
2346A, 206-934-3676. http://www.northseattle.edu/services/counseling
Your Instructors:
Obvious but often overlooked! Our office hours are listed at the top of this syllabus. Come to our offices with
questions! We’re happy to help.