TFM 364a: HISTORY OF FILM CLASSICS
Instructor: Bob Jordan
e-mail: sdsufilmguy@yahoo.com
Telephone: Please do not use – the message will not reach me for a long period
Office Hrs: After class in class – there’s no room for large numbers in my office
Viewing and analysis of American theatrical films which represent milestones in the
development of cinema, from the silent era to approximately 1960.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
American Cinema/American Culture by Belton (special short version available at SDSU only)
The Way I See It by Robert Jordan
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 100 points possible.
• Two exams (mid-term and final) covering films, reading assignments and lectures.
Each test is worth 35 points. Open book/open notes. Make-up tests only given for
academically excused absences. Assume you will take the make-up the next class
session.
• Worksheets asking questions about our film screenings are found in The Way I See It
and will be turned in – as assigned.
• There will be one extra credit assignment – TBA later.
Homework: You will also be required to view a couple of films at home, in addition to the
films you see in class. The Way I See It worksheets may be required on this homework – and
there will be test questions on these films as well as those shown in class. The homework
films are highlighted. The homework sheets to turn in are called Questions for
Discussion on the schedule.
Note: Many of the films screened in class have running times almost as long as the class
session itself. You MUST plan to arrive on time and in most cases expect the class to run
the full length of the session.
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. Laptops
cannot be turned on during films, either. Do not text. Do not check your email. I reserve
the right to remove you from the class if this rule is not followed.
Improper Behavior: Cheating on exams, plagiarism and other forms of academic
dishonesty are completely unacceptable. The first incident will cause the student to fail that
assignment. A second incident will cause the student to receive a failing grade for the
course. 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.
Course Goal: Cinema-literacy
My first day in film school, the professor kept talking on and on about an “Ernst Lubitsch.” I
had no idea what he meant. By the end of the night, I had deduced Ernst Lubitsch was a
WHO not a WHAT. An important film director.
You are attending San Diego State University, which no matter how much I hate to admit it,
has one of the better film programs in the nation. Not the best. USC is the best. Never argue
about this and expect to pass the class. When you leave this campus having attended a film
class or two, it will be expected that you know your films – in short, that you are cinemaliterate. Everyone you ever meet will assume you’ve seen Gone with the Wind and Citizen
Kane. To be blunt – you would be lacking if you had never seen those films – just like an
illiterate. There are a huge number of films out there. Many of them unknown to the public
or even to most film fans. But there are quite a few others that are so well-known and oftmentioned, which any film fan, any studio staffer, any film professor or student will assume
you have seen. It’s impossible to know all of them and none of these people will expect you
to, but the world will expect a certain level of film familiarity, which I have dubbed Cinemaliteracy. In TFM 160, 363 and other classes, you’ve been exposed to some films you are
expected to know, but the film department has done its homework and concluded there are
dozens of films we would literally be embarrassed to know you left these halls without
having seen at least once.
So we are creating a year-long plan, part A being a course which covers major films prior to
1960 and part B being a course covering important films made since 1960. It isn’t all the
films you should ever see, but it does improve your knowledge significantly. I have worked
very hard to create a filmography of titles you need to see. It is your job to continue to be a
film viewer for life, but this class will be a good dose. I think you’ll find it fun too.
On a Personal Note:
Several semesters ago, I had surgery to remove a brain tumor. Some of you who have had me
for classes before may even remember this event. The recovery has been much longer than
expected. Fortunately, the surgery went well, functions such as speech and reasoning continue
to work well, but other functions/skills have not returned to normal. I have continual vertigo
(dizziness) and I get weak standing for long periods – so it is possible I may need to sit during
our lectures.
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 two before I can reply. Additionally, please cooperate with my GA, she
will be playing a key role during this difficult time. Thank you again for your help.
SCHEDULE
DATE TOPIC
FILMS
8/26
The Kid
Introduction
Read: Jordan – Chaplin essay. Questions for Discussion: Films of Charlie
Chaplin (Due 9/9)
9/2
HOLIDAY – NO CLASS (Do your homework)
Homework viewing: Shane
9/9
The studio system: Westerns
Stagecoach
Read: Jordan – Stagecoach essay. Questions for Discussion: Stagecoach
(Due 9/16)
Belton reading: Chapters 3 & 4 part of chapter 5 (up to page 101)
9/16
Genre: change over time
High Noon
Read: Jordan – High Noon essay. Questions for Discussion: High Noon
(Due 9/23)
Belton: Westerns chapter
9/23
Gangster genre I
Scarface (1932)
Read: Jordan – Scarface essay. Questions for Discussion: Scarface (Due
9/30)
Homework viewing: High Sierra
9/30
Gangster genre II
White Heat
Read: Jordan – Gangster Films Next Generation. Questions for
Discussion: Gangster Films – The Next Generation (Due: 10/7)
10/7
Detective genre I
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Read: Jordan – Detective essay (note – no worksheet on this one)
10/14 Detective genre II
10/21 Detective genre III
10/28 Midterm Exam
The Thin Man
The Maltese Falcon
It Happened One Night
Read: Jordan – Screwball Comedy essay (note – no worksheet)
Belton – Chapter on American Comedy
11/4
Romantic Comedy
11/11 HOLIDAY
Homework viewing: Vertigo
Sullivan’s Travels
Belton – Chapter on musicals
Read: Jordan – Hitchcock essay (do NOT do worksheet); Musicals essay.
Questions for Discussion: Musicals (Due 11/25)
11/18 Musicals
The Band Wagon
11/25 Film Noir: Style Not Genre
Double Indemnity
Read: Jordan – Film Noir essay - Questions for Discussion: Film Noir (Due
12/2)
12/2
Casablanca
Read: Jordan – Casablanca essay (note – no worksheet)
12/9
Exam Review
12/16 Final Exam
The African Queen