Introduction to Cinema
Course: Humanities 205
Section: 22798
Credit: 3.0
Course: Theatre 205
Section: 22479
Credit: 3.0
Semester: Spring 2014
Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Time: 09:00-09:50 AM
Location: Phoenix (Community) College
Room: A203
Instructor: Professor Ronald James Schott, B.A., M.A.,
Department of Theatre and Film
Office: John Paul Theatre &
Phoenix (Community) College
E-Mail 1: ronald.schott@phoenixcollege.edu
E-Mail 2: rongg97051@phoenixcollege.edu
Voice Mailbox: (480) 731-8866 Ex. 11343
Absence Line: (602) 285-7277
Phoenix (Community) College
Subject Code and Number: HUM205 / THE205
Course Title: Introduction to Cinema
Credit Hours: 3
Catalog Description: Survey of the history and development of the art of motion pictures, including criticism of
aesthetic and technical elements.
Prerequisites: None.
MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
1.Describe the functions and artistic responsibilities of each of the major members of a film crew. (I)
2.Describe and apply principles of aesthetics used in the critical analysis of a film. (I)
3.Identify the technical elements of a film, and explain how those elements are used to stimulate different emotional responses
from the audience and to illuminate the lives of characters in film. (I)
4.Describe how the movies reflect and interpret major events in twentieth-century history. (II, III, IV, V, VI)
5.Identify the names and major works of significant filmmakers from the beginning of motion pictures through the present. (II, III,
IV, V, VI)
6.Describe the characteristics and representative examples of major genre films, such as horror, gangster, musical, western, and
science fiction. (II, III, IV, V, VI)
7.Analyze several significant films to explain the techniques the filmmakers used to express their ideas and values. (II, III, IV, V,
VI)
MCCCD Official Course Outline:
I.
The Art of the Film.
A. The creative team.
B. Aesthetics of film.
C. Techniques of film.
II. From the Beginning through the Silent Era.
A. Major directors.
B. Major films.
C. Major trends.
D. Genre films.
III. The 1930s through World War II.
A. Major directors.
B. Major films.
C. Major trends.
D. Genre films.
IV. The 1940s and 1950s.
A. Major directors.
B. Major films.
C. Major trends.
D. Genre films.
V. The 1960s and 1970s.
A. Major directors.
B. Major films.
C. Major trends.
D. Genre films.
VI. The 1970s to the Present.
A. Major directors.
B. Major films.
C. Major trends.
D. Genre films.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:
Students are subject to and must comply with college policies found in the current College Catalog and
Student Handbook. Please note that the teacher includes forgery and lying in academic misconduct. In
other words, a student should not forge another student’s initials, signature, or work. Also, a student
should not lie about his or her attendance by signing the attendance sheet and exiting the classroom
without an emergency or permission.
ADDENDUM:
There will be a variety of films and/or television programs screened in this class that may contain
language and subject matter that is offensive to some students. It should be noted that these sources are
being presented for scholarly investigation, analysis, interpretation, and discussion not as entertainment.
None of the language, content, and views expressed in the films is intended to reflect the views or
policies of the instructor, the department, or Phoenix (Community) College.
ASSESSMENT:
The Double Watch Project = Part 1 and Double Watch Project = Part 2 are “assessment” assignments.
Each student is required to do the “assessment” assignments. Each student is required to give the
teacher a printed copy of his or her work. However, the “assessment” assignments will not change the
grade that a student will receive for HUM205 or for THE205.
ATTENDANCE:
Class Attendance: Required due to the successive nature of the course content (and due to the frequent
use of audio-visual materials unavailable outside class). College policy indicates that students may be
withdrawn from class for excessive absences. For a 3 credit class, 3 or more absences are excessive.
For example, a student who is absent from three one-hour time-blocks during one whole week has
excessive absences. For another example, a student who is absent from three different one-hour timeblocks during one whole semester has excessive absences. Please note that the teacher considers
two (unexcused) tardies or departures to be the equivalent of one absence. In other words, the teacher
reserves the right to withdraw a student who has six (unexcused) tardies and/or departures. Please
remember to fill out an Absence form to document your legitimate absence. (Please remember to fill out
a Tardy form to document your legitimate tardy or departure.) In addition, please be in class on time.
Remember, I will be starting to teach on time.
AUDIO TAPING OF LECTURES:
A student must have prior permission from the teacher in order to audio-tape or
video-tape a lecture.
CELL PHONE POLICY:
Please turn cell phones (and other electronic devices) off during class time. If it is necessary for you to
have a cell phone in the classroom, please have it on vibrate. Please note that the teacher requires your
attention to the lecture, film, documentary, project, and/or activity in the classroom and during class time.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
If you have a hidden or visible disability that may require classroom or test accommodations, please
contact the Disability Resources & Services (DRS) office. You can reach the DRS office at (602) 2857477 or in the Hannelly Center (HC) Building.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.
FOOD / DRINK POLICY:
Please do not eat or drink in the classroom or during class time. If you are dehydrated, please drink water
from a spill-proof container.
GRADE:
(01) Quiz #01 / Production
100 points
(02) Quiz #02 / Mise-en-Scène 100 points
(03) Quiz #03 / Cinematography 100 points
(04) Quiz #04 / Editing
100 points
(05) Attendance*
100 points
(06) Participation**
100 points
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------600 points = 100%
*Absence or an unexcused Absence will result in losing 10 points from the Attendance grade.
Tardy or an unexcused Tardy will result in losing 5 points from the Attendance grade.
Departure or an unexcused Departure will result in losing 5 points from the Attendance grade.
**This is an experiment. The teacher does not have all the details for the projects or activities for HUM205
or THE205 students yet. Non-participation in a project or an activity will result in losing 25 points from the
Participation grade.
(01) Participation #01 / Production Project
25 points
(02) Participation #02 / Mise-en-Scène Project
25 points
(03) Participation #03 / Cinematography Project
25 points
(04) Participation #04 / Editing Project
25 points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------100 points = 100%
Each student is required to give the teacher a printed copy of his or her work to receive credit for the
project or activity. (The teacher grades the work offline.)
Remember, all students must complete quizzes or tests or projects or activities within the allotted time
frame or receive a zero grade.
There is no other basis for grades, unless a special option is made available to all students through an
announcement in class.
GRADING SCALE:
A = Excellent
(90-100)
B = Above Average (80-89)
C = Average
(70-79)
D = Passing
(60-69)
F = Failure
(00-59)
A+ = 98
B+ = 88
C+ = 78
D+ = 68
F+ = 58
A = 95
B = 85
C = 75
D = 65
F = 55
A- = 90
B- = 80
C- = 70
D- = 60
F- = 50
540-600 points = A
480-539 points = B
420-479 points = C
360-419 points = D
000-359 points = F
Note: R = Redo!
(01) An “R” grade on a project or an activity stands for “Redo.” The grade is between 0 and 69. In other
words, the project or activity does not have a passing (C) grade. Please redo the project or activity.
(02) If a student does not rewrite an “R” project or activity, then the final grade for the project or activity
will turn into a D grade at most or an F grade at least.
LATE POLICY:
The teacher reserves the right to refuse to give or to accept a "late" quiz or test or project or activity.
If the teacher gives or accepts the "late" quiz or test or project or activity, then it could or will be graded
downward by one letter grade. A student needs a written excuse (and documentation) to receive an
exception to the “late” quiz or test or project or activity policy.
PLAGIARISM / CHEATING:
(1) Plagiarism and cheating are academic sins.
(2) When you are copying material from one source or multiple sources, you must properly cite the
material in your own paper by using MLA style. If you do not cite the material, you are plagiarizing it.
(3) Do not copy a paper in whole or in part from yourself, another class, another student, another author,
or another source, including the internet. If you copy a paper in whole or in part, you are plagiarizing it.
(4) A written paper that is all too perfect is a warning sign for plagiarism, and it may warrant an
explanation. If you are a professional writer, please tell me about your work. Otherwise, I may ask for
an explanation. Also, your written paper may involve plagiarism.
(5) If you are caught in an act of plagiarism or cheating, the penalty can be very severe; you can easily
be expelled from college if the authorities want to punish you in that fashion. In addition, this act of
plagiarism or cheating can become part of your permanent record within the educational system.
(6) An act of plagiarism or cheating will result in a zero grade for the quiz or test or project or activity
and in an F grade for the course.
Remember, if you have any questions or problems, please come and talk to me. See [Textbook=04] also.
QUOTATION:
“I [Gilmour / father] went on to say, to repeat, rather, what my betters had told me in university: that the
second time you see something is really the first time. You need to know how it [film] ends before you can
appreciate how beautifully it’s put together from the beginning. He [Jesse / son] didn’t know what to say–
he was still in the doghouse about Giant–so he said, ‘Sure.’” (Page 40 of The Film Club by David
Gilmour.)
SCANTRONS:
Students are required to have a SCANTRON form for each quiz or test. (The teacher does not have a
free SCANTRON form to give to a student.) The SCANTRON form is number 882-E. Students need to
have a flat or level SCANTRON. Please do not wrinkle or warp the SCANTRON form. Students need to
follow the directions on the SCANTRON form to use a number 2 pencil, to make dark marks, to erase
completely to change, and to look at the example of a correct mark on the form. If a student does not
follow the directions given, the SCANTRON machine will not function properly. If the SCANTRON
machine malfunctions because of the above, the student will receive the low grade for the quiz or test,
and the teacher will not grade the quiz or test again for the student. (Please note that the teacher grades
the SCANTRON form not the paper quiz or test.)
WRITTEN PAPERS:
(01) Length = 01-02 Pages (Minimum) and 05 Pages (Maximum)
(02) MLA (Modern Language Association) Style = Seventh Edition / 2009 CE [Textbook=04]
(03) Word-Processed or Typed
(04) MLA Format = First Page, Works Cited, Double-Spaced, and One-Inch Margins [Textbook=04]
(05) Correct English, Grammar, Mechanics, Punctuation, and Spelling
(06) Approved Topic
(07) MLA Citations = Parenthetical Notes [Textbook=04]
(08) No Plagiarism
HUM205 (22798): Tentative Schedule
THE205 (22479): Tentative Schedule
(09:00-09:50 AM --- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)
Note: You must assume responsibility for keeping yourself informed of class assignments and
changes in the syllabus as announced in class. Remember, an absence does not excuse
you from class preparation and/or participation on the day of your return.
Required Text (by Department):
Corrigan, Timothy, and Patricia White. The Film Experience: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Boston, MA:
Bedford, 2012. Print. [Textbook=03]
Recommended Texts (by Instructor):
Corrigan, Timothy, and Patricia White. The Film Experience: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Boston, MA:
Bedford, 2009. Print. [Textbook=02]
Piper, Jim. Get the Picture? The Movie Lover’s Guide to Watching Films. 1st ed. New York, NY:
Allworth, 2001. Print. [Textbook=01]
Extra Recommended Text (by Instructor):
Modern Language Association of America. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New
York, NY: MLA, 2009. Print. [Textbook=04]
Week 01 / Day 1
Introduction
Syllabus
Syllabus Acknowledgement Receipt
Origins of Motion Pictures (20 minutes) [RJS] or
The Art and Science of Making Movies [PN1993.5.A1 A78 1983] =
Origins of the Motion Picture (21 minutes) and
Film History [PN1993.5.A1 F55 1997] (30 minutes)
01/13/14: Monday
Week 01 / Day 2
Introduction
Syllabus
Syllabus Acknowledgement Receipt
Flatland (11 minutes, 40 seconds) Note: Films On Demand! and
Flatland:The Movie (35 minutes) [RJS]
01/15/14: Wednesday
Week 01 / Day 3
Introduction
Syllabus
Syllabus Acknowledgement Receipt
Flatland:The Film (95 minutes) [RJS] Note: 50 Minutes!
01/17/14: Friday
Week 02 / Day 1
Holiday
01/20/14: Monday = Martin Luther King Day
Week 02 / Day 2
Discounted Dreams (60 minutes) [LB2328.15.U6 D57 2007] Note: Films On Demand!
01/22/14: Wednesday
Week 02 / Day 3
Chapter 05 = Styles (Pages 83-102) [Textbook=01] and
Chapter 02 = Production (Pages 15-57) [Textbook=02] or
Chapter 01 = Production alias “Encountering Film” (Pages 18-59) [Textbook=03]
01/24/14: Friday
Week 03 / Day 1
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold [HF6146.P78 G74 2011] (87 minutes)
01/27/14: Monday
Week 03 / Day 2
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold [HF6146.P78 G74 2011] (87 minutes)
Note: 42 minutes! [END]
01/29/14: Wednesday
Week 03 / Day 3
The Lumière Brothers: First Films (62 minutes) [RJS] or
Landmarks of Early Film [PN1993.5.A1 L363 1997] (117 minutes) Note: Lumière films!
01/31/14: Friday
Week 04 / Day 1
The Magic of Méliès (103 minutes) [RJS] or
The Movies Begin [PN1995.75.M6 2002 V.4] (103 minutes) Note: Méliès films!
02/03/14: Monday
Week 04 / Day 2
Syllabus Acknowledgement Receipt
Participation #01 / Production Project
02/05/14: Wednesday
Week 04 / Day 3
Quiz #01 / Production
Assessment #01 / Double Watch Project = Part 1
02/07/14: Friday
Week 05 / Day 1
Chapter 02 = Scenes (Pages 29-46) [Textbook=01] and
Chapter 03 = Mise-en-Scène (Pages 61-93) [Textbook=02] or
Chapter 02 = Mise-en-Scène (Pages 62-93) [Textbook=03]
02/10/14: Monday
Week 05 / Day 2
A Movie Lover’s Guide to Film Language [PN1993.7.M685 2004] =
Mise-en-Scène & Lighting (45 minutes) Note: 18 minutes! and
The Art of Film [PN1995.A76 1975 V.12] =
The Emerging Chaplin (29 minutes)
02/12/14: Wednesday
Week 05 / Day 3
Discovering Cinema [PN1993.5.A1 P74 2007 DISC 2] =
Movies Dream in Color (52 minutes)
02/14/14: Friday
Week 06 / Day 1
Holiday
02/17/14: Monday = Presidents’ Day
Week 06 / Day 2
City Lights [PN1997.C51725 1999] (87 minutes)
02/19/14: Wednesday
Week 06 / Day 3
City Lights [PN1997.C51725 1999] (87 minutes) Note: 42 minutes! [END]
02/21/14: Friday
Week 07 / Day 1
Scarlet Street [PN1997.S3736 2002] (103 minutes) Part 1 = 45 minutes!
02/24/14: Monday
Week 07 / Day 2
Scarlet Street [PN1997.S3736 2002] (103 minutes) Part 2 = 45 minutes!
02/26/14: Wednesday
Week 07 / Day 3
Scarlet Street [PN1997.S3736 2002] (103 minutes) Part 3 = 13 minutes! [END] and
The Art of Film [PN1995.A76 1975 V.11] =
The Role of Women in the Movies (28 minutes)
02/28/14: Friday
Week 08 / Day 1
Voting Day One!
America’s Castles: Movie Palaces (50 minutes) [RJS] or
Modern Marvels: Movie Theaters (50 minutes) [RJS] or
Time Machine: The Hollywood Censorship Wars (50 minutes) [RJS]
03/03/14: Monday
Week 08 / Day 2
Participation #02 / Mise-en-Scène Project
03/05/14: Wednesday
Week 08 / Day 3
Quiz #02 / Mise-en-Scène
03/07/14: Friday
Week 09 / Day 1
Holiday
03/10/14: Monday = Spring Break
Week 09 / Day 2
Holiday
03/12/14: Wednesday = Spring Break
Week 09 / Day 3
Holiday
03/14/14: Friday = Spring Break
Week 10 / Day 1
Chapter 01 = Shots (Pages 01-28) [Textbook=01] and
Chapter 04 = Cinematography (Pages 95-133) [Textbook=02] or
Chapter 03 = Cinematography (Pages 94-131) [Textbook=03]
03/17/14: Monday
Week 10 / Day 2
A Movie Lover’s Guide to Film Language [PN1993.7.M685 2004] =
Camera (45 minutes) Note: 09 minutes! and
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (30 minutes) [RJS] and
The Cave: An Adaptation of Plato’s Allegory in Clay (03 minutes, 22 seconds) [RJS]
03/19/14: Wednesday
Week 10 / Day 3
The Art of Film [PN1995.A76 1975 V.2] =
The Camera (19 minutes) and
Forrest Gump [PN1997.F64672 2001] (141 minutes) Note: 30 minutes!
03/21/14: Friday
Week 11 / Day 1
American Photography: A Century of Images = Part One (60 minutes)
Note: Films On Demand! [The Developing Image = 1900-1934 CE]
03/24/14: Monday
Week 11 / Day 2
American Photography: A Century of Images = Part Two (60 minutes)
Note: Films On Demand! [The Photographic Age = 1935-1959 CE]
03/26/14: Wednesday
Week 11 / Day 3
American Photography: A Century of Images = Part Three (60 minutes)
Note: Films On Demand! [Photography Transformed = 1960-1999 CE]
03/28/14: Friday
Week 12 / Day 1
Voting Day Two!!
Captured Light: The Invention of Still Photography (50 minutes) [RJS] or
Modern Marvels: Movie Theaters (50 minutes) [RJS] or
Time Machine: The Hollywood Censorship Wars (50 minutes) [RJS]
03/31/14: Monday
Week 12 / Day 2
Participation #03 / Cinematography Project
04/02/14: Wednesday
Week 12 / Day 3
Quiz #03 / Cinematography
Assessment #02 / Double Watch Project = Part 2
04/04/14: Friday
Week 13 / Day 1
Chapter 04 = Cuts (Pages 67-82) [Textbook=01] and
Chapter 05 = Editing (Pages 135-183) [Textbook=02] or
Chapter 04 = Film Editing (Pages 132-175) [Textbook=03]
04/07/14: Monday
Week 13 / Day 2
A Movie Lover’s Guide to Film Language [PN1993.7.M685 2004] =
Editing (45 minutes) Note: 09 minutes! and
The Art and Science of Making Movies [PN1993.5.A1 A78 1983] =
Film Editing - Interpretation and Values (30 minutes) and
Life of an American Fireman (?? minutes) [RJS]
04/09/14: Wednesday
Week 13 / Day 3
The Art of Film [PN1995.A76 1975 V.5] =
The Edited Image (21 minutes) and
Saving Private Ryan [PN1997.S295 1999D] (169 minutes) Note: 20 minutes!
04/11/14: Friday
Week 14 / Day 1
The Cutting Edge [TR899.C888 2005] (99 minutes) Part 1 = 45 minutes!
04/14/14: Monday
Week 14 / Day 2
The Cutting Edge [TR899.C888 2005] (99 minutes) Part 2 = 45 minutes!
04/16/14: Wednesday
Week 14 / Day 3
The Cutting Edge [TR899.C888 2005] (99 minutes) Part 3 = 09 minutes! [END] and
The Art of Film [PN1995.A76 1975 V.7] =
Vintage Hitchcock (29 minutes)
04/18/14: Friday
Week 15 / Day 1
Citizen Kane [PN1997.C5171 2000 PT.1] (119 minutes) Part 1 = 45 minutes!
04/21/14: Monday
Week 15 / Day 2
Citizen Kane [PN1997.C5171 2000 PT.1] (119 minutes) Part 2 = 45 minutes!
04/23/14: Wednesday
Week 15 / Day 3
Citizen Kane [PN1997.C5171 2000 PT.1] (119 minutes) Part 3 = 29 minutes! [END] and
The Great Train Robbery / First Programs / Billy Whiskers [PN1997.G6894 1988] (42 minutes) [VHS] or
The Great Train Robbery (?? minutes) [RJS] or
An Unseen Enemy (?? minutes) [RJS]
04/25/14: Friday
Week 16 / Day 1
Voting Day Three!!!
The Call of the Cthulhu (47 minutes) [RJS] or
Modern Marvels: Movie Theaters (50 minutes) [RJS] or
Time Machine: The Hollywood Censorship Wars (50 minutes) [RJS] or
Battleship Potemkin [PN1997.P675 2007] (69 minutes) Note: General Copy!
04/28/14: Monday
Week 16 / Day 2
Participation #04 / Editing Project
04/30/14: Wednesday
Week 16 / Day 3
Quiz #04 / Editing
05/02/14: Friday
Week #17 = Final Exams Week!
Week 17 / Day 1
05/05/14: Monday = Final-Exam Class (The special time for the final class is 09:00-10:50 AM.)
Week 17 / Day 2
05/07/14: Wednesday = No Class
Week 17 / Day 3
05/09/14: Friday = Commencement Day