Kennesaw State University
Department of English
Fall Semester 2005
ENGLISH 1101 Section 43 – Class meets Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:30-10:45 a.m. HU 235
THE CLASS PROGRAM
CLASS 29
ACCENT ON FILM: THE MOVIES AS AN INTERATIONAL ART FORM
Dr. David King
Office: Humanities/English 271
Phone and voice mail: 770-499-3220
Email: dking2@kennesaw.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-3:00
Other times by appointment.
Texts Required:
1. The St. Martin’s Handbook 5th ed. – available in the KSU bookstore
2. A novel of literary significance of your choice that has been adapted as a film
Course Description
English 1101 focuses on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts with
emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation. The course also includes an
introductory use of a variety of research skills.
Course Objectives
Upon the successful completion of English 1101, you will be a more capable writer in
your understanding of grammar and mechanics, your knowledge of organization and
development, your sense of style, and your grasp of balanced argumentation.
Furthermore, you will develop a greater appreciation for your language and its
application. Finally, you will improve your analytical reading skills and you will learn
how to more effectively participate in civil discourse.
An important feature of this special English 1101 course:
As you are aware, this course is part of the CLASS (Communities for Learning
Success) program, and the theme for this learning community is film. While most of the
theme will be developed in your KSU 1101 Freshman Seminar, our English class will
devote some attention to film and literary adaptation, with a special emphasis on
language and writing. You will also read a novel—from the English, American, or
World literature canons—that has been adapted as a film, and write an essay that
compares the book and the movie.
GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation: Includes good attendance, participation in class discussions, and
timely completion of reading and viewing assignments – 15%
Essays: Includes four essays, two of which must incorporate documented secondary
sources and demonstrate familiarity with both library and online basic
research skills – 60%
Quizzes, In-Class Writing, and Final Exam: Includes occasional quizzes, in-class writing
exercises, and a final essay exam – 25%
COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK 1
23-25 August: Introduction to the course, myths and realities of the basic college
composition course. Development, analysis, support, and style: the keys to effective
college writing.
WEEK 2
30 August and 1 September: Grammar review. Writing as a process: pre-writing,
drafting, revision. Why Can’t I Write the Way I Talk: Standard Written English vs.
Spoken English.
WEEK 3
6-8 September: Begin working on first essay, a narrative essay related to your new
college experience. NO CLASS ON THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
WEEK 4
13-15 September: Watch the film The Paper Chase, which is related to your first essay
assignment. Narrative essay due.
WEEK 5
20-22 September: Differences between the American and International cinemas: watch
and discuss our first foreign language film, the French/Dutch The Vanishing. Your
second essay will relate to this film and a consideration of film and cultural differences.
WEEK 6
27-29 September: Working on second essay, due at the end of this week.
WEEK 7
4-6 October: This week, we view and discuss our second foreign film, considering how
film is most effective, and most global, when its imagery assumes precedence over its
language. The film, from Russia, is The Return.
WEEK 8
11-13 October: By this week you should have chosen the novel/film adaptation and
have started reading the novel. We will use this week primarily for individual meetings
and catch-up.
14 October Last Day to Withdraw Without Academic Penalty and 20 October:
WEEK 9
Writing about text. Introduction to MLA documentation. Read all material in your
handbook about formatting an essay according to MLA standards. Your third essay,
based on the third foreign film we will watch, must incorporate secondary sources
documented in correct MLA style. There will be a quiz this week.
WEEK 10
25-27 October: Our third foreign film, a classic movie from the great Japanese director,
Akira Kurosawa. The film is Ikiru, from 1952. Many of you may have trouble relating
to this film, about the death and redemption of an old man, but the purpose of the movie,
our discussion, and your third essay is a consideration of empathy, not only for a fictional
character, but for others. Though this essay may consider Ikiru specifically, I urge you to
use it as a stimulus for an essay related to a more personal topic. Remember, you must
incorporate secondary source materials.
WEEK 11
1-3 November: Working on third essay, due at the end of this week.
WEEK 12
8-10 November: This week, we begin discussing classical argumentation. Your fourth
and largest essay will be an argument based on one of the films we have already seen, or
it may be related to our fourth and final foreign film, which we will screen next week.
You might also address all four foreign films, since by now, you should be able to see
thematic characteristics that they all have in common.
WEEK 13
15-17 November: Watch and discuss When Father was Away on Business, from
Yugoslavia.
WEEK 14
22 November and 24 November Fall Break—NO CLASS
WEEK 15
29 November and 1 December: Argumentative essay due at the end of this week.
WEEK 16
6 December: Wrap up; distribute final exam topics and last day of class. The final exam,
an in-class essay, relates to the novel/film adaptation you chose to consider.
FINAL EXAM: Tuesday 13 December 9:30-11:30 HU 235
Classroom Policies and Statement of Academic Honesty
1. Turn off all cell phones and pagers before entering the classroom.
2. Food is not allowed in class; water, coffee, cokes, etc. are acceptable, but not in a
computer lab.
3. Be attentive during class discussions; exhibit respect for the person who is talking, and
raise your hand to be recognized. A college course should be enjoyable, but this does
not excuse you from either civility or common courtesy.
4. Make-up work and late work are only permitted at my discretion, and only allowed if
you have consulted with me in advance.
Dr. King’s Attendance Policy:
As a college student, you are privileged to enjoy new freedoms and responsibilities. The
decision to attend class should be your choice. However, you should remember these
important points:
 If you miss a class, you are responsible for gathering all notes, activities, and
assignments.
 Because class participation is an implicit part of your course grade, students who
miss several class meetings cannot expect to earn a good participation grade.
 If you have a legitimate excuse for missing class—illness, family emergency,
accident—let me know. If you miss class because you are asleep or otherwise
incapacitated, accept the consequences.
 As a general guideline, I recommend that you miss no more than two class
meetings for any course you take as a college student.
 If you must be late to class, or if you must leave class early, please let me know in
advance.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of
Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty,
including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to
University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic
work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials,
malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student
identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through
the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an
“informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal
hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one
semester suspension requirement.