TFM 160: INTRODUCTION TO CINEMA
FALL 2013
Instructor: Bob Jordan
e-mail: sdsufilmguy@yahoo.com
Office Hours: 3:30-4:00 Monday (before class) in classroom, not office (there isn’t enough room in my office for
500 of you).
An appreciative survey of cinema in its diverse forms. Historical and stylistic influences on the aesthetic values
and social implications of cinema. Illustrated by screen examples.
REQUIRED TEXTS: It is extremely important for you to purchase the books. It is not advised to just share with a
classmate or plan to borrow them from the library. Both books will be used for open-book tests.
Looking at Movies by Barsam & Monahan (4th Edition)
Note: the bookstore packages the book, DVDs and password for the eBook together. We will be using the DVDs. Some of
you will try the eBook and decide you like it and will use it, others will not like it. There is no requirement that you use it.
The Way I See It by Robert Jordan
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: In general, the course sections will include lecture and film material. Often times, we
will be able to show a complete feature film in class – these are not optional or just filler. They have been
selected because they illustrate the day’s topic. Two exams will be given (a midterm and a final). Each exam is
open book and open note, so you will want to bring your books the days of the exams. Each exam is worth 30%
of your course grade. The remaining 40% will be based on homework worksheets. More on this in class.
COURSE GOALS: Our goal in this course is not to memorize the dates of the films screened, or to be able to
recite the entire cast of The Last Samurai. Film is an entertainment and art form that has directly influenced the
life of virtually every person in this country, but rarely do we pay attention to that influence. In this course we
will study films rather than just watch them. We will look at some artistic qualities, show how they are
produced and consider how they reflect the culture in which they were produced. Read and take notes with this
goal in mind. You are not going to be tested on dates and character names, but will need to know general plot
information. More important, consider how the films we see together exemplify the various topics we study.
After taking this course you will most likely watch films differently for the rest of your life.
Technology in Class: Due to the subject matter of this course, it is absolutely essential that no cell phones be
turned on at any time during the class, especially during the films. I reserve the right to remove you from the
class if this rule is not followed. Laptop computers are okay, but use them in the back of the class and keep
them off during all film screenings.
Improper Behavior: Cheating on exams, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are completely
unacceptable. The first incident will cause the student to receive a zero on that assignment. It is possible in
summer session that a zero on one test will cause the student to receive a failing grade for the course. The
incident will then be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Disruptive behavior or
violence will be referred to the dean or campus security.
Learning Challenges: If you are dyslexic or have another type of learning challenge, see instructor immediately
to discuss how we can work together.
Note: Some of the films screened in this class are rated R. If you have a problem viewing this type of material,
please see me.
On a more personal note, I had surgery to remove a brain tumor. Fortunately, the surgery went well, functions such as
speech and reasoning continue to work well, other functions/skills have not returned to normal, so I will be teaching some
parts of the class from a chair.
I still intend for this class to be a good learning experience, however I want it to be fun for all of us. Please be patient with
me. Feel free to use the e-mail address listed above to contact me, but it may be a day or so before I can reply. Thank you
again for your help!!
SCHEDULE
DAY LECTURE TOPIC
FILMS
8/26 Introduction: What is Film?
Easy Street (Charlie Chaplin)
Reading: LaM Chapter 1, Jordan – Chaplin essay (do not turn in worksheet)
9/2
HOLIDAY
Reading: LaM Chapter 2
Home viewing: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
DVD: Harry Potter video
9/9
Visual Communication: Cinematography
The Last Samurai
Reading: LaM Chapter 5 & 6, Jordan – Last Samurai essay (do not turn in worksheet)
9/16 Visual Communication: Editing
Reading: LaM Chapter 8, Jordan – Dark Knight essay*
DVD: Editing illustrations
9/23
Reading: Jordan – Singin’ in the Rain essay (do not do worksheet)
9/30 Genre
Reading: LaM Chapter 3, Jordan – Jaws essay*
10/7 Film History & Exam Review
Reading: Jordan – The General essay*
The Dark Knight
Singin’ in the Rain
Jaws
The General (Buster Keaton)
10/14 MIDTERM EXAM
10/21 ACTING
Reading: LaM Chapter 7, Jordan – Acting
DVD: Acting video
10/28 SOUND
Reading: LaM Chapter 9, Jordan – Sunset Blvd. essay*
Pretty Woman
Sunset Blvd.
11/4 Screenplay
Reading: LaM Chapter 4 (not Stage Coach section), Jordan Witness essay*
Home viewing: Witness (starring Harrison Ford)
Ghostbusters
11/11 HOLIDAY
11/18 The Production Process
Reading: LaM Chapter 11, Jordan – Lord of the Rings essay*
The Fellowship of the Ring (excerpt)
11/25 The Objective and the Subjective
Reading: Jordan – Donnie Darko essay*
DVD: Dreamscapes, The Hill
12/2 Alternatives to Narrative: The Experimental
Reading: Jordan – Hitchcock essay*
12/9 Final Exam Review
Reading: Jordan – Citizen Kane essay (do not do worksheet)
12/16 FINAL EXAM
*These essay worksheets are homework due the following week
Donnie Darko
Notorious
Citizen Kane