Course Syllabus
DRAM 2367 Film History
Synonym 40482
Fall Semester 2006
RGC 341, MW 7:05- 9:20 pm.
Instructor: Dr. Richard Cutler, PhD and Masters in RTF, University of Texas at Austin.
Office Hours: Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Adjunct Faculty Office -- RGC Temporary
Building, and by appointment. Voice Mail: 223-1795 mailbox. 25839# or spell CutlerR
E-mail: rcutler@austincc.edu
Course Description: DRAM 2367 FILM HISTORY (3-3-2). A chronological and worldwide survey of the history of the film, plus study of progress in film technology,
changing audiences, and the socio-cultural impact of film. Skills: E Course Type: T
Required Text: A History of Film (6th ed.), Wexman, Virginia Wright.
Instructional Methodology: Textbook Reading and homework assignments are given
for nearly every class period. View in class, representative films of different decades and
national film industries. Papers consolidate broad understanding of class material and
readings. Attendance is required; proactive participation is important.
Course Objectives:
1. Learn the chronological history of film
2. Learn how to identify themes, genres, and films of various national industries.
3. Compare and contrast films of different eras using the cinematic grammar of
Classical Hollywood Cinema.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the studio film industry related to film finance
and distribution in a global market.
5. Demonstrate minimum critical evaluation abilities through papers and/or in-class
presentations
Course Requirements – See Class Schedule
Course Evaluation: Your final grade will
be based upon:
You may view your progress and final
results in the Blackboard Gradebook. Your
point total will be roughly comparable to
* 7 Exams (Drop 1; 6 x 9)
54% the following grade ranges: 100 - 90 = A;
**Papers (4 x 10 % each)
40% 89 – 80 = B; 79 – 70 = C; 69 – 60 = D;
Attendance/ Participation
6% Less than 60= F. Incomplete = I; and
Total
100 % Withdrawal = W. Note: The College will
mail your grade to you. ACC does not post
**An oral presentation may be
grades.
substituted for any paper assignment.
DRAM 2367 Film History F06
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Participation in Exam Creation
You will have the option of participating in creating the five exams.
Specifics:
1. While reading the assignment for class each day, create at least 5 typewritten multiple
choice or True/False questions and their answers drawn from the reading assignment
for that day.
a. Format your multiple choice questions as below. Note the capital letters for
each possible answer and the book source in parentheses next to the correct
answer.
Example:
The question….
A. first possible answer
B. second “
“
C. third “
“
D. fourth “
“ (186)
E. fifth “
‘
In the example, the correct answer is D and it comes from page 186.
The True/False question statement is followed by the answer. (e.g.) T
b. Email your questions before class to Dr. Cutler in .rtf or .txt format
c. Email those same questions before class to the other members of your group.
2. Come to class; meet in your group for the first 15 minutes of class to go over the
questions and answers.
a. Take suggested changes.
b. Check each other’s book source.
c. Make any necessary corrections to the question format.
d. Star those that seem best.
3. At the end of the 15-minute group session, hand the reviewed questions to Dr. Cutler.
4. The credit you receive for having turned in questions for that day will be reflected in
the participation portion of your grade.
a. Once class has started, and your group begins meeting, no more questions will
be accepted without a bona fide excuse.
b. Without a bona fide excuse, late questions will not count.
5. Dr. Cutler will review the questions and consider them for inclusion in the next exam.
Obviously the better the quality and the quantity of the questions that you submit the
more likely you will see them appear on the exam. Your payoff should be threefold: better
preparation for class, peer validation of your questions, and questions for which you
already know the answers. Students who participate tend to score 3 points per exam better
than those who do not.
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Paper Topics
Each paper must be a minimum of 4 double-spaced, 12 point font pages (1,000 words). Less will
cost you points. Your textbook and lectures will be your sources.
1st paper topic: The Unseen Narrator. In two each early French, American, and German
films:
1. Identify the different kinds of lens manipulations, shutter speed changes, scene
transitions, shot sizes, and camera movements.
2. Compare the different ways that they create narratives (tell the story).
First be clear about identifying story elements. Second, you must understand a minimum
vocabulary of shots and camera movements. Third, you must demonstrate that you
understand how a succession of shots creates a scene that, in turn, tells part of the story. As
you identify the various shots and camera movements you must refer to the specific scenes
in which you observed them so that your reader could find them. Keeping a running time
from the first picture would be helpful in locating the scenes. Finally, there are many ways
that you can structure your comparison of films in a coherent written fashion. Due Wed.
Sep. 20.
2nd paper topic: The Spectrum of Narrative Structures. Analyze a narrative scene in one of
Eisenstein’s films (I suggest Strike or Battleship Potemkin) in terms of the elements of Griffith’s
film grammar as found in “Birth of a Nation.” Then, compare the film grammar of the Soviet
narrative to the film grammar of a scene or segment of a French avant-garde narrative (I suggest
Un Chien andalou or Entr' acte).
You will need to know the elements of film grammar (shots, shutter speed changes, scene
transitions, camera movements, and “lensing”) that you observed in “Birth of a Nation.” As in
the first exercise, you will need to refer to the scene in which the film grammar occurs in “Birth”
and then identify the same use in the Russian film. Then you can compare your observations with
a French avant-garde film. Clue: The French Surrealists set about to disrupt narratives and the
Russians tried very hard to lead the viewer’s emotions. Due Wed.Oct.4.
3rd paper topic: National Film Industries. Describe the different methods of financing
and compare the kinds of films produced as a result in Britain, the US, Japan, France,
and Germany after WWII.
In this practical look at film histories you will need to know how nations did or did not
help foster their film industries and how that assistance (or lack of it) influenced the kinds
and qualities of films. For instance, Italian government sponsorship tended to produce
the “white telephone” films about the lives and loves of the petite bourgeoisie. While
those Cinecettà-sponsored films played in the popular cinemas, the training, sound
stages, and film supplies enabled a whole wartime generation to learn and exercise their
craft so that after the German occupation very different films such as “Open City” soon
appeared on the international film scene. Due Mon. Nov. 6.
4th paper topic: Modernism. Compare 2 each films of Italy, the US, and Britain for their
elements of modernism from the 60s on. How do they differ from films of the 30s, 40s, &
50s? First establish a definition of modernism. Next, identify modernism in 60s films from
the 3 countries. Third, state briefly what characterized the films of each of those countries
during the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Fourth, compare the earlier films to the modernist ones in each
country. Finally, summarize the differences for each country in comparison to its modernist
films and draw a conclusion, if possible, about how modernism is the same or different in
the 3 countries. Due Wed. Dec. 6.
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Course Policies
Attendance and Participation. Full credit (6 points) is given for a) attendance; b) being
prepared for class; and c) classroom interaction. Attendance is registered by signing your
name on the sign in sheet. You will be marked late if you enter class after instruction has
begun. Being late three times will equal one absence. If you should arrive late, it is your
responsibility to sign in before you leave class. If you should leave class before
instruction is over, without having requested prior permission, you will be debited as if
you were late. You will need to complete a waiver before attending required tours.
Absences: If you are absent, you are still responsible to learn from a classmate what you
missed. Do not contact the instructor. Any absence you want to be excused must be
documented with some sort of proof, such as a doctor’s bill. Verbal explanations are
insufficient. Each unexcused absence beyond three will result in the deduction of two
points from your final total.
Withdrawal: If you cannot keep up with the schedule, you may withdraw before or by
October 13th. Do not simply quit coming to class and expect that the instructor will
withdraw
you.
Withdrawal
is
your
responsibility.
See:
http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/acaguid5.htm#withdraw. Further, you may be
withdrawn from the class at the instructor’s discretion for the following:
1. if you have more than one late/missed unexcused project/exam;
2. if you do not complete the work necessary for a letter grade by June 28th;
3. if you have more than 3 unexcused absences; or
4. if you are unexcused late more than 3 times.
Paper/Project Grading: Each project is evaluated on a 10 point scale: Idea = 2 points;
Logical Development = 2 points; Thorough content coverage, facts, analysis, or
summary/conclusion = 2 points; Grammar, punctuation and style = 2 points;
Documentation (cites & sources) = 2 points.
All projects must be typed. Project guidelines will specify length and any other
formatting requirements.
A project submitted early may be rewritten once for a better grade, providing the revision
is submitted on the due date or within one class period after the instructor returned it to
the student. Projects turned in late will have a one-letter grade deduction for each class
session they are submitted beyond the due date. All papers must be turned in within two
weeks of their due date. To ensure that you receive credit for early or late papers, turn
them in and have them date/time stamped at the campus mail room in the 1000 building.
No projects may be turned in after the last day of class.
There will be no opportunity for extra credit.
STUDENT HANDBOOK http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/ Familiarize yourself with
college rules and policies that may affect you.
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Incomplete: A grade of I (incomplete) is granted only rarely. If the instructor accepts your
reasons for needing this grade, you must do the following:
1. Schedule an individual conference with the instructor before the Withdrawal
deadline.
2. Sign the Incomplete form, available from the instructor.
3. Understand that the grade of "C" is the highest you can receive if you take an
Incomplete.
4. Understand that any Incomplete, which is not completed by the scheduled date,
automatically becomes an "F."
Scholastic Dishonesty:
1. “Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include
scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz,
plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.
Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or
self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether
taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom
presentations, and homework”
2. “When students borrow ideas, wording or organization from another source, they shall
reference that information in an appropriate manner.” (Student Handbook 2005-2006,
http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm).
Note: Building upon the work of others is at the heart of scholarship; however, I am
opposed to plagiarism. Understanding is your protection. I insist that you follow the ACC
library’s guidelines found at http://library.austincc.edu/help/documen/ and
http://library.austincc.edu/help/MLA/ . (On-line Student Handbook 2005-2006,
http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies5.htm).
If I suspect dishonest academic behavior, I will bring it to the student’s attention first. I
will be referred uncorrected or egregiously dishonest behavior to the department chair.
See: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm
Academic Freedom: In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical
thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Expressing these opinions
enhances the learning experience and creates an atmosphere where students and
instructors will feel free to think and evaluate new ideas. On sensitive and volatile topics,
students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor.
Faculty and students are expected to respect other’s views as expressed in classroom
discussions.
Student Discipline: You are expected to adhere to the rules for classroom use, including
the injunction against food or drink. You may be asked to leave the classroom by the
instructor if your conduct is contrary to prescribed practice. Students are not allowed in
production facilities without supervision. Policies are spelled out in depth at
http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm
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Students with Disabilities -- “Each ACC campus offers support services for students with
documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must
request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on
the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are
encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester” (See: On-line Student
Handbook, http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/resource7.htm#services. The Office for
Students with Disabilities (OSD) (See: http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/) assists
students with documented physical or psychological disabilities to access reasonable
accommodations. To request ACC accommodations, students must submit appropriate
diagnostic documentation to the OSD supervisor at their primary campus. Students
attending multiple campuses must meet with the OSD supervisor at each campus where
accommodations are needed. Accommodations must be requested before each semester
they are needed.
Student Support & Success Systems can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/support/
Familiarize yourself with the sources of academic support that ACC offers.
Instructional Resources: See http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/ for tutoring assistance in
grammar and punctuation as well as open computer labs with internet access.
USE OF ACC ACADEMIC TESTING CENTERS
In order to ensure test integrity and adequate space for testing, the following summary
guidelines have been established; the entire guidelines are available in any Academic
Testing Center and will be issued by your instructor via course syllabi or other verbal or
written information – which you are expected to follow.
1. You are required to have a current ACC student I.D. and an acceptable photo I.D. in
order to test. An official fee receipt may be substituted temporarily until your ACC
student I.D. is obtained. An acceptable photo I.D. includes:
A. Drivers License, Department of Public Safety I.D., or Department of Defense I.D.;
B. Resident Alien Card or Passport;
C. Digitally-produced photo from a recognized company (i.e. Sam’s Club), bearing your
name or photo identification from another educational institution;
D. A temporary ACC Academic Testing Center photo I.D. ($5.00 fee); or
E. Accompanied by an instructor for personal I.D. (student must take test at that time).
2. You are required to complete the Test Request Form. For re-testing, you must provide
the yellow student copy from the original test. Initial and re-testing on the same day is
not allowed. If the test deadline has passed, you must also bring written permission from
your instructor.
3. Any student suspected of and/or caught cheating (including the use of unauthorized
materials during testing) is considered scholastic dishonesty. You will be referred to the
appropriate administrator. Disciplinary actions for scholastic dishonesty range from
exclusion from Academic Testing Centers to expulsion from ACC. You may refer to the
ACC Student Handbook for disciplinary policies and procedures. You may also be
subjected to disciplinary action for behavior that significantly interferes with or disrupts
Academic Testing Center operations.
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4. Bring only the materials allowed by your instructor for the given test. Approved items
such as English dictionaries, Scantron answer sheets, and all types of paper are provided
by the Academic Testing Centers. All other items (pagers, cell phones, laptops,
purses/wallets, calculator/pencil cases, food/tobacco items, etc.) must be stored
elsewhere, in a locker, or shelved in the Academic Testing Center at your own risk.
Children are not allowed in the Academic Testing Centers.
5. You are responsible for the return of your locker key to Testing Center staff. Your
property will not be surrendered in the case of a lost key until a report is filed with
Campus Police. The incident will be reported to Student Services and a hold will be
placed on your record until the key is returned or replaced.
6. You may be assigned seating in the Academic Testing Center. When the Academic
Testing Center is full, you will be placed on a waiting list, issued a ticket, or be asked to
line up outside the Academic Testing Center. Only one test is allowed per sitting. You
may not leave the Academic Testing Center for breaks while testing (except for a
medically verified reason); otherwise, your test must be turned in to be graded.
7. Testing for a grade of Incomplete requires an Incomplete Grade Form or grade slip
verification from Admissions and Records and instructor signature.
8. If an answer key is available, your test will be graded and you will be given your raw
score. Once the test has been scored, it cannot be reviewed or examined again in the
Academic Testing Center; contact your instructor for feedback. Keep the yellow copy of
the Test Request Form for the remainder of the semester for proof you took the exam and
that the grade was posted.
9. All exams must be turned in no later than thirty (30) minutes after closing – NO
EXCEPTIONS. No students will be admitted and no distribution of new test materials
will be allowed after closing time.
Locations and hours of operation for the Academic Testing Centers are located at
http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/
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