SP 15 THEATRE ARTS 7A: (Section 31463: TH 1:00-4:10, Forum)
Office: C252J
Hours: M 1-2; W 11-12:15; TH 11-12
Email: jxsierra@pasadena.edu
Phone: (626) 585-7428
TEXT: Foster: Early Film History
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Students will be able to identify the major developments and events in early motion
picture history;
2. Students will be able to identify major figures and their contributions to early
motionpicture history;
3. Students will be able to identify major films in early motion picture history; and
4. Students will be able to analyze motion picture style, mise-en-scene, theme and
presentation.
GUIDELINES:
1. Have the textbook and Internet reading completed by the date assigned.
2. If you anticipate missing a film, try to see it on DVD/video if possible.
3. If you miss more than two classes (i.e. two weeks), you may be dropped.
4. If you are absent, you are responsible for assignments missed.
5. Since the exams are objective, there are no make-up midterms or finals.
6. NO CELL PHONE use in class: no making or answering calls; no checking your phone
messages; no text messaging.
EVALUATION: Final grade is based upon:
1. Midterm and Final Exam: composed of objective, multiple-choice questions based on
the films, lectures, and the readings. The Midterm is worth 30% of the final grade. The
Final Exam is worth 40% of the final grade. No computers, cell phones or electronic
devices may be used during the midterm or final exams.
2. A written film project will be worth the remaining 30% of the final grade (more about
this assignment later). No emailed papers/work is accepted.
3. Your attendance can affect your final grade, especially if you are in between grades.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: From the college policy: Each student should be thoroughly
familiar with the Standards of Student Conduct and with regulations of the College. Students
attending the College are expected to maintain satisfactory standards of citizenship at all times
on the campus and in the community. Satisfactory citizenship includes conduct which respects
the rights of all individuals, which avoids actions disruptive to the ongoing education program
and which does not violate specific prohibitions outlined in the Education Code. When it is
indicated that citizenship is unsatisfactory, the student may be subject to the following:
reprimand, disciplinary probation, administrative class withdrawal, suspension or expulsion, as
conditions warrant. Unsatisfactory citizenship includes, among other things, cheating,
plagiarism, hazing and conduct disruptive to the teaching-learning process. In addition,
falsification of information provided to the Admissions Office is basis for dismissal from a class
or from the College. Individuals engaged in destructive activities involving any kind of physical
or psychological mistreatment of students are subject to prosecution under the California State
Law banning hazing and to dismissal from the College. Penalties for individuals, organizations
and institutions can be severe.
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify the course content (grading procedures, tests,
etc.) as the situation dictates. The instructor will inform the students of any such changes via email and/or class announcements.
Readings and Film Schedule, Course Notes and Materials, etc. are online:
www.pasadena.edu/faculty/jxsierra
TENTATIVE FILM AND READING SCHEDULE
January 15: Introduction to Course
Film: Landmarks of Early Film, Vol 1 (1997)
Foster: Chapter 1 (Inventing Motion Pictures)
January 22
Film: D.W. Griffith: Father of Film (1993)
Foster: Chapter 2 (Film Pioneers)
January 29
Film: Chaplin, The Gold Rush (1925)
Foster: Chapter 3, pp. 27-44 (Pioneers Continued)
February 5
Film: Keaton, The General (1926)
Reading: See Additional Readings: “Keaton” and “The General”
February 12
Film: Wiene, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)
Murnau, Nosferatu (1922)
Lang, Metropolis (1926)
Foster: Chapter 6, pp. 85-90 (German Expressionism and UFA Studios)
February 19
Film: Eisenstein, Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Foster: Chapter 6, pp. 90-96 (The Russian Revolution and Soviet Filmmaking)
February 26
Film: The Jazz Singer (1927)
Foster: Chapter 5 (The Sound Revolution)
Additional Readings: “Warners and Sound”
MIDTERM EXAM
March 5: Film: Hitchcock, The 39 Steps (1935)
Foster: Chapter 6, pp. 103-104 (Alfred Hitchcock)
March 12 SPRING BREAK/NO CLASS
March 19
Film: Renoir, Grand Illusion (1937)
Foster: Chapter 6, pp. 97-101 (France between the Wars)
March 26
Film: LeRoy Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
Foster: Chapter 4 (The Studios)
Chapter 7, pp. 105-108 (The Crash) and pp. 128-132 (Musicals)
Additional Readings: “ The Code Before ‘Da Vinci.’ ”
April 2
Film: Ford, Stagecoach (1939)
Foster: Chapter 7, pp. 140-144 (Great Directors of the Thirties)
April 9
Film: Hawks, Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Foster: Chapter 7, pp. 122-127 (Capra, Hawks and the Screwball Comedy)
(Friday, April 10, is the last day to drop online with a “W”)
LIBRARY PROJECT DUE
April 16
Film: Welles, Citizen Kane (1941)
Foster: Chapter 8, pp. 170-175 (Hollywood Goes to War/Orson Welles and Citizen Kane)
April 23
Film: Curtiz, Casablanca (1942)
Foster: Foster: Chapter 8, pp. 194-197 (Hollywood Goes to War/War in Europe)
Additional Readings: “Casablanca”
April 30
Film: Donen/ Kelly, Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Additional Readings: “Singin’ in the Rain”
May 7: Final (See Published Finals Schedule)
Readings and Film Schedule, Course Notes and Materials, etc. are online:
www.pasadena.edu/faculty/jxsierra