Film Studies Course Syllabus
Ms. Amy McGrath
amy_mcgrath@dpsk12.org
720-424-1800
Welcome to Film Studies! Over the course of the next two semesters, we will view, discuss and write about almost 40
movies! Film is possibly the most culturally relevant of all modern art mediums. It is also an important synthesis of
ALL art forms. Film Studies will help give you a basic understanding of the history of the cinema, major genres, and
basic elements of filmmaking. We will be considering symbol, archetype, perspective, and structure- as well as many
other tools that filmmakers use to create meaning. You will be researching and writing about all of the films that you
see. Thinking and writing critically about film is one of the key aspects of the course- you will be doing a substantial
amount of writing.
Course expectations:
-We will watch, in class, one movie per week. One day of class will be spent in discussion, lecture, research and
writing.
-You will need to keep a notebook or journal to write about each movie that we view. Your movie journals comprise a
substantial percentage of your grade.
-Every two weeks, you will need to write reviews about a movie that you watch independently. One movie needs to
be from my “Recommended Viewing” list, and one movie can be of your own choice.
-You will have film vocabulary/concepts tests.
-You will write one major paper (5 pages). I will give you more details about this assignment later in the year.
- Eventually, you will research and present to the class a film- including background information, a shot-by-shot
analysis, and the preparation of discussion questions.
It’s such a privilege to teach film studies at DSA! We’re going to have a great time, but it will require a considerable
commitment on your part. It will be worth it, I promise!
Course Materials:
Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film, 5th Edition. Pearson Longman, 2004.
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Students will need to provide a composition book, folder, or notebook that will serve as their film studies
journal.
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I would strongly recommend a Netflix subscription to Film Studies students. This will give you access to films
to review, as well as access to any film you might miss viewing in class.
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Important Film Studies documents can be found in the “Documents” page of the Video Cinema Arts website.
http://dsapresents.org/vcadept/
Attendance/Grading policies
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Be on time. After your first few warnings, you’ll be spending lunch periods working in my room, which is, like,
completely humiliating .
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Show up for class. Missing a lot of class will be really tough in Film Studies because you’ll miss watching the
films, which puts you behind in your journals and discussion questions. I can’t lend out my dvd copies of the
films- so if you miss a movie, you’ll have to find it yourself or come watch it in my classroom during your
lunch or free periods. Finally, I don’t accept makeup work from unexcused absences. Unexcused absences
will be referred to the student advisor.
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Get your work turned in, on time. Late work in film studies can be turned in for 50% credit which means you
will always receive a failing grade on anything not turned in on time. This will become especially important
on your journals, which are high-points grades. You will have ONE grace journal entry per semester- use it
wisely! Makeup work from excused absences must be completed promptly. It is YOUR responsibility to find
out what work you missed if you were absent. If you need help or more time on an assignment, please
contact me in person or via email at least 24 hours in advance of its due date. I will accept your film journals
and discussion questions hand-written (though many students choose to type them), but all reviews, papers
and other written work should be typed, double-spaced and edited for writing errors.
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Points are cumulative throughout the semester. Assignments will be given point values based on the time
required and expectations of the assignment.
If you ever need more time or help on anything, please contact me. I’m actually really nice. Just don’t come see me
about why you don’t have your assignment that’s due that day… I won’t be very nice. The best way to reach me
outside of class is by email, which I check regularly- amy_mcgrath@dpsk12.org
Class Norms:
Be respectful. Film Studies is a privilege reserved for DSA Juniors and Seniors. I have based this course on college level
Film courses with the expectation that you can handle the workload and the benefits. This is the only class at DSA
where you get to watch lots of amazing movies- and some of them have pretty adult themes. I expect you to be
respectful and take the course seriously, which doesn’t mean that we won’t have any fun- we definitely will. It is also
essential that you earnestly contribute to class discussion and ask intelligent, important questions.
And a little pet peeve –please use the bathroom before you come to class. I do not like people leaving the classroom
mid-film; I find it highly distracting. So, if you can at all help it, utilize the facilities before or after class.
"The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder."
Alfred Hitchcock.
Film Studies Proposed Film List –
NOT all inclusive
Nosferatu
Birth of a Nation
The Bicycle Thief
Metropolis
Charlie Chaplin shorts
Duck Soup
Citizen Kane
Casablanca
Rear Window
Psycho
Singin’ in the Rain
Some Like it Hot
Rebel Without a Cause
On the Waterfront
Hard Day’s Night
The Graduate
To Sir, With Love
Easy Rider
Dr. Strangelove
Cool Hand Luke
Bonnie and Clyde
Rosemary’s Baby
The Godfather
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
All the President’s Men
Annie Hall
Dog Day Afternoon
Apocalypse Now
Alien
Do the Right Thing
Barton Fink/ Raising Arizona
Shadow of the Vampire
Fargo
Adaptation