Department of Communication/Journalism
St. John Fisher College
Summer Semester 2007
CC Film and Society
Communication/Journalism 109D//Arts 109D
Instructor: Jeremy Sarachan
Class Room: Wilson 116+
Class Time: Tuesday & Thursday: 6:00-10:00, 2nd Session
Office Hours: by appointment
Office: Basil 218a
Fisher Phone: 385-7277
E-Mail: jsarachan@sjfc.edu (preferred method of communication)
AOL IM: profsararchan
Website: http://www.jeremysarachan.com
Course Description
In Film and Society, students will investigate the representation of diverse cultural groups
in film. We will analyze film as a language and mode of communication in order to
study how film conveys meaning. With that foundation, we will see how films portray
our multicultural society and how filmmakers create movies that reflect their own cultural
identities. The course includes both American and foreign narrative and documentary
films and explores the social as well as aesthetic dimensions of this art form. Students
will receive a thorough introduction to the field of film studies.
Students will explore cultural differences in a way that promotes self-reflection in order
to develop tools for becoming engaged citizens in a multi-cultural world. The demands
of today’s work environment require communication, cooperation and collaboration
between individuals of diverse backgrounds. Respect and understanding of others are
prerequisites for successful advancement in our ever-evolving world. Diversity is not
the breadth of options, but the depth of interconnections.
Prerequisites: None
Course Objectives
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Be familiar with the early history of film.
Identify the elements that make up a film to better understand the visual language
of film. These elements include misé-en-scene (setting, acting, etc.),
cinematography, editing, and sound.
Become knowledgeable about the field of film studies.
Understand established theories that can be used to analyze film.
Develop insight into world cultures by viewing films about and/or by members of
these cultures.
Film and Society//Communication/Journalism 109D//Arts 109D
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Cultural Contrasts Objectives
 Students will discover values, beliefs and judgments outside their cultural sphere.
 Students will recognize features of cultural variation (e.g. gender, religion,
language, race, etc.)
 Students will discuss critically their own culture-based values, beliefs and
judgments in order to frame them in a comparative context.
 Students will identify how human cultures develop, adapt and transform.
Assignments and Grades
DATE
% grade
Mise-en-scene (and More)
July 5
5
Paper 1
July 17
15
Exam 1
July 19
15
Paper 2
July 31
15
Paper 3
August 7
15
Exam 2
August 9
15
Portfolio & Class Memo
August 9
5
Discussion
ongoing
15
Total
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100
The exams must be taken when scheduled.
Completion of all assignments does not guarantee an A. Average work receives a C.
Superior works receives an A.
Papers are due at the start of the class on the day they are due. For each class it is late, the paper
will lose ten points. Papers more than a week late will not be accepted.
Film and Society//Communication/Journalism 109D//Arts 109D
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Mise-en-scene (and More) (July 5)
Each student will bring in a video or DVD with a scene from a film. The scene either
must be cued up on the video or be at the beginning of a chapter on a DVD. The scene
must be no longer than 45 seconds. Each student will explain why the scene is an
effective example and also will show the scene to the class. Students may use examples
of cinematography (including camera angles), length of shots, setting, sound, acting,
music, editing, make-up, etc.. Any movie (which is not improper to be shown in class)
may be used. If you need some ideas, check out one of the following films:
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Psycho (camera angles/setting)
The Conversation (sound)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (cinematography, setting)
Shawshank Redemption (acting, setting)
Blair Witch Project (all of the elements)
Garden State (music, cinematography)
Papers (July 17, July 31. and August 7)
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Each of the three papers is to be 3-4 pages in length.
The papers must be typed. Correct grammar/usage is required.
You may use "I" when appropriate.
Each student will choose a topic within the general guidelines below. You must have a thesis and
present an argument/essay. Don't simply answer the questions below.
While not required, students are encouraged to include some research in their papers (not
necessarily academic journals—reviews are fine) MLA style should be used.
Paper 1: Consider a choice made by one character in Crash OR Do The Right
Thing and consider whether social class, race or ethnicity played a role in the
decision. Focus on one scene or incident in the film, and include within the
discussion such filmic elements as mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound, and
editing. Consider how your own values, beliefs, and judgments lead you to this
particular analysis/interpretation of the film.
Paper 2: Consider some aspect of everyday life for Native Americans or rural
Chinese in the late 20th century. Choose one aspect (economics and standard of
living, status, or free will, etc.) and consider how mainstream American culture
has influenced ONE of these societies over time (for better or for worse.) Using
filmic elements such as mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and narrative
structure, discuss how Smoke Signals or Not One Less depicts a culture changing
because of outside influence. This should not be a survey of observations;
concentrate on one specific scene and/or example.
Paper 3: Discuss how either Bowling for Columbine or Control Room depicts
attitudes towards gun control or media coverage of the Iraq War (or some other
issue, like welfare reform or health care). How do attitudes vary between
different cultures? How might the film portray a bias? How might your own
biases affect your reading of the film? Consider filmic elements such as mise-enscene, cinematography, editing, sound, and narrative structure in your answer.
Film and Society//Communication/Journalism 109D//Arts 109D
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The Exams (July 19 and August 9)
The exams will include textbook chapters, articles, and classroom discussion. The exams
will focus on two films (Run Lola Run and 49 UP) as a means to address larger issues of
film studies. You will not be required to answer questions about minute details of the
films. The format will be short answers/essays. The exams are not cumulative, although
you may need to carry over general knowledge about film.
Portfolio and Class Memo (August 9)
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Write a 3 page memo explaining how and whether you feel the class has met its
objectives for you (see pages 1-2 of the syllabus). Make sure to include the
"Cultural Contrasts" objectives. Please offer specific examples and be sure to
cover all of the objectives.
Your grade will be based on the thoroughness of your answer. It's absolutely
acceptable to explain why you didn't feel an objective was met.
Hand in a folder containing the memo and clean copies (ungraded) of your three
papers.
Discussion (ongoing)
Students are expected to contribute to the class discussion on a regular basis.
You will be graded according to the chart below:
10
Frequent discussion contributions
9
Fairly frequent discussion contributions
7
Occasional discussion contributions
5
Very occasional discussion contributions
3
Virtually no contribution
0
No contribution
Grade Chart
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93.00-100.00
90.00-92.99
87.00-89.99
83.00-86.99
80.00-82.99
77.00-79.99
73.00-76.99
70.00-72.99
67.00-69.99
63.00-66.99
60.00-62.99
0-59.99
Film and Society//Communication/Journalism 109D//Arts 109D
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Academic Honesty
The work that students submit must be 100% their own. Anything else is plagiarism,
which is a serious offense both academically and professionally. Communications
professionals who plagiarize the work of others are fired from their jobs; students can
expect severe repercussions as well, starting with a grade of ZERO on any assignment
that the instructor discovers has been plagiarized. (Plagiarism also is punishable by
further sanctions, up to and including expulsion from school.)
The college’s academic honesty policy, which includes descriptions of problem practices,
procedures for addressing suspected plagiarism and potential sanctions for violating the
policy, is posted at http://www.sjfc.edu/PDFs/AcademicHonesty.pdf. It is strongly
recommended that you review this, or even print off the PDF for reference.
Loss of Assignments
Lost assignments are never a valid excuse for a late submission. Careful handling of files
and rigorous backup and saving procedures should be followed. All returned exams and
papers should be kept until (at minimum) you receive your final grade.
Attendance and Registration
It is your responsibility to contact the instructor or another student to find out what you
have missed and make arrangements to make-up work.
Your grade will be lowered after one absence. From the second absence onward, your
final grade will drop one letter from an A to B, B to C, C to D, etc After four absences,
you will get an "FA" for the course. Absences do not alter your responsibility to complete
papers or exams.
In the case of illnesses, family emergencies, jury duty, or other extenuating
circumstances, please speak to the professor.
If you will be unable to fulfill requirements, it is your responsibility to drop the class.
You may drop the class with no record on your transcript until Thursday, July 12.
College Policy Concerning Students with Disabilities
In compliance with St. John Fisher College policy and applicable laws, appropriate
academic accommodations are available to you if you are a student with a disability. All
requests for accommodations must be supported by appropriate documentation/diagnosis
and determined reasonable by St. John Fisher College. Students with documented
disabilities (physical, learning, psychological) who may need academic accommodations
are advised to make an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for students with
disabilities in the Academic Support Center, K202. Late notification will delay requested
accommodations.
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Required Readings
The Film Experience: An Introduction by Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White.
(2004). Bedord/St. Martin's. ISBN: 0-312-25566-7.
One reading will be handed out in class.
Additional readings will be available from the research database available through
Lavery Library. (Links are provided on the course's Blackboard site.)
Course Blackboard Site
This course has an online information site linked through the college’s Intranet Page. It is
designed for you to access course material and articles and have access to e-mail for all
students enrolled in this course. Alternatively, links to the articles are available at
http://www.jeremysarachan.com. Click on Film and Society to reach the online syllabus.
Also, your grades will be posted on the site. Please monitor your grades throughout the
semester.
Rules for Movie Viewing
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Arrive on time.
Don't leave until lights come on.
Don't leave unless absolutely necessary.
Don't talk during the movie. You can react; consider normal movie theater
etiquette.
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Date
July 3
Topic
Introduction,
film history
July 5
Discussion of
Caligari,
mise-en-scene
July 10
Discuss Kane,
cinematography,
sound
Discuss Do the
Right Thing, editing
Do the Right Thing (1989USA)
Discuss Crash,
narrative
Exam 1
Run Lola Run (1998Germany)
Smoke Signals (1998-USA)
Discuss Smoke
Signals, world and
alternative cinema
Discuss Not One
Less, documentary,
avant-garde
American Sons (1994-USA),
Not One Less (1999-China)
July 12
July 17
July 19
July 24
July 26
Films
Edison films. (1896-1900USA)
Trip to the Moon (1902French). Great Train Robbery
(1903-USA), Cops (1922USA), Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
(1920-Germany),
Citizen Kane (1941-USA)
Crash (2004-USA)
Nanook of the North
(excerpts/1922-USA), Night
and Fog (excerpts /1955France), Meshes of the
Afternoon (1943-USA), Ballet
Mechanique (1924-French),
Stan Brakhage films (variousUSA)
Bowling for Columbine (2002USA)
July 31
Film theory
August 2
Discuss Bowling,
film distribution
Control Room (2004-USA)
August 7
Discuss Control
Room and Children
of Heaven
Exam 2
Children of Heaven (1997Iran)
August 9
Reading
C&W 9
Assignment
• C&W 2
(except 61-63)
• C&W 12
• Caligari
• C&W 3
• C&W 5
• C&W p. 61-63
• C&W 4
• Wavering
Hero
• C&W 6
Paper 1 due
• Running in
Circles
• What Lola
Wants
• C&W 10
• Hurricanes
and Fires
• C&W 7
• Postmodern
Exam
• C&W 11
• Marxist
Overtones
• C&W 1
• Presentation &
Representation
• Critically
Interrogating,
• Truth
Paper 2 due
The instructor reserves the right to deviate slightly from this plan.
Bold: Blackboard Italics: handout C&W: textbook
Paper 3 due
Exam
Film and Society//Communication/Journalism 109D//Arts 109D
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