ASIU 102: FILM AND THE VISUAL - Fall 2011
-SyllabusCourse Instructor : Ela Başak Atakan
Email: eatakan@ku.edu.tr
Office Hours: Thursdays 12:30 - 1:30, or by appointment, SOS 274.
AIM:
-to get the students ask themselves questions about film
-to turn students into engaged and active audience members
-to equip the students with the necessary tools to break film down into smaller components (such
as an act, sequence, scene, shot, frame…)
-to make the students aware of how they are being manipulated through the cinematic process
-to discern and write about the three pillars of cinema: storytelling, cinematography and mise-enscene
-to decode cookie cutter cinematography techniques
-to look at any sequence in a film and express ideas about what they have seen: its presentation,
meaning and intent. Therefore…
-to analyze, to“read” any film.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
“Film and the Visual” delves into film to perceive and become aware of how film language is
constructed. The students will be taught how to read a film.
Cinema, like literature, uses syntax. Cinema syntax, like language, is a creative force. It is the
aim of this course is to break film down into its smallest components. We will analyse “film
grammar” and the ways it is used to depict and alter the reality on the screen and therefore, the
reality of its audience.
“Film and the Visual” aims to arm the students with analytical and critical skills so useful in the
digital audio-visual world that surrounds us today.
WEEK ONE (Sept 20&22) - Introduction
Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarrantino (selected scenes only)
WEEK TWO ( Sept 27&29 ) - Film as Storytelling
Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder, 106 m., 1950
Reading: Chapter 1-2
WEEK THREE (Oct 4&6 ) - Mise-En-Scene
Citizen Kane, Orson Welles, 117 m., 1941
Reading: Chapter 3-4
WEEK FOUR (Oct 11&13 ) - Narrative
Citizen Kane, Orson Welles, continued
Reading: Chapter Five
WEEK FIVE (Oct 18&20) – Cinematography
Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock, 106 m., 1960
Reading: Chapter Six
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WEEK SİX (Oct 25&27) – Cinematography
Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock
A Midterm Exam will be held, on October 27
WEEK SİX (November 1&3)
North By Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock, 131 m., 1959
WEEK SEVEN (Holidays)
WEEK EİGHT ( November 15&17 ) -The Director’s Hand
Jaws, Spielberg , 124 m. 1975
WEEK NINE (Nov 22& 24) -The Director’s Hand
Jaws, Spielberg , 124 m. 1975 -continued
WEEK TEN (Nov 29& Dec 1 )- The Director’s Hand
Goodfellas, Scorcese 139 m., 1990
WEEK ELEVEN (Dec 6& 8 ) - The Director’s Hand
Goodfellas, Scorcese 139 m., 1990-continued
WEEK TWELVE (Dec 13& 15 ) - The Director’s Hand
Punch Drunk Love, P.T. Anderson, 94 m., 2002
& Quiz
WEEK THİRTEEN (Dec 20& 22) – Movie Poll
Best Movie of 2011: Inception, Black Swan or Catfish?
WEEK FOURTEEN (Dec 27&29)- Film and Beyond
Day For Night, Francois Truffault, 115m., 1973
Commercials, music videos, Youtube
Assigned Reading: - “Film Art” by Bordwell and Thompson.
Classroom Conduct
It is imperative (mandatory, a must) that you come to class. Come to class on time. Please turn
off your cell phones before entering the classroom. Do not disrespect others during class
discussions or film screenings by conversing amongst yourselves. If you have thoughts to offer,
share them with your instructor and classmates by speaking up. Speak up and participate. Do not
forget: your participation, your interest and eagerness are being scrutinized and will be graded.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that
information. In college courses, we are continually engaged with other people’s ideas: we read
them in texts, hear them in lecture, discuss them in class, and incorporate them into our own
writing. As a result, it is very important that we give credit where it is due. To avoid plagiarism,
you must give credit whenever you use:
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another person’s idea, opinion, or theory;
quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words; or
paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written words.
Attendance Policy
Class attendance is required. I will take attendance on lecture (or discussion) days. Your
attendance counts into your participation grade and your participation is rewarded. For no
classes missed –or up to one class missed- I will distribute bonus points. Only two classes
missed will also earn an extra reward.
Grade Distribution
Participation: 10%
Midterm: 40%
2nd Midterm: 20%
Final Project : 30%
It is the policy of this course to judge and grade you on your ability to analyze film excerpts
presented in class. As these skills will develop within time, the first half of the semester will be
spent paying attention and learning. So, pay attention. Once again, your participation counts for a
considerable 10% of your grade. So, attend and get involved.
On the second half however, you will be tested on these acquired skills, through the midterm
which counts as 40% of your grade and another midterm at the end of the term which counts for
20%.
Finally, we will have an opportunity to put these skills into use as we will divide into groups, to
deliver our final project of the year. This is an end-of-the-year paper and counts for 30% of your
grade.
Reserve Desk
There is an extensive list of titles that have been reserved for you at the reserve desk of the
library. These titles include not only the films that will be discussed in class, but other films
made by the same or similar directors whose work pertains to class discussions. You are advised
to borrow and watch these on your own time, at the risk of becoming more cultivated. For extra
credit, come see me about a response paper or a short essay on these very special movies.
Grade Scale
A 90+
A- 87+
B+ 83+
B 80+
B- 77+
C+ 73+
C 70+
C- 67+
D+ 64+
D 60+
F 0-59
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