L. Belue
Spring 2014
Film Studies Syllabus
Film Selections: All the movies chosen for this class are classics, Oscar nominees, Oscar
winners, or good representatives of their particular genre. Most are found on the American Film
Institute’s Top 100 Movies list. All of the movies selected are rated G, PG, PG-13 or are not rated
(pre-1965).
Class Objectives:
 To recognize movies as an art form
 To identify literary elements as an integral part of movies (setting, plot, theme,
character, conflict, climax, resolution)
 To view movies critically
 To analyze and write movie reviews
 To enjoy movies, both old and new, as an art form
Attendance & Participation:
 Good attendance is necessary. Students are responsible for the movies they miss in
class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and view a missed film. All of
the movies are available through the Spartanburg or Greenville county libraries or at
rental outlets.
 Sleeping during class or during a movie is not permitted.
 Talking during a movie is not permitted. Talking is a distraction to the teacher and to the
other viewers. Your task is to watch and listen.
 For each movie, clear your desk of everything except your pen and your viewing
log/assignment sheet.
 If you have already seen a movie that we are viewing, do not make comments, tell the
ending, or drop any hints about the movie. If you have already seen the movie, you will
benefit from an additional viewing. Do not spoil the movie for someone else.
 Refrain from commenting negatively on a film before class viewing. Let each viewer
make his or her own decisions.
 You will like some movies more than others. However, it is your responsibility to view
each movie.
Materials:
 3 ring binder (1-2 inches)
 pens, pencils, highlighters
 loose-leaf notebook paper
**There is no textbook for this class – your notebook is your textbook. You must bring all
materials to class every day and be ready to start when the bell rings. Failure to do so will result
in disciplinary action.
Assignments & Grading: Assignments will include quizzes, viewing logs, movie reviews, writing
activities, unit tests, and projects. You will be required to complete at least one project and
assigned viewing outside of class.
Grading Scale:
Quizzes/viewing logs/movie reviews, writing activities
40%
Unit Tests
40%
Class participation/discussion
___20%___
Total
100%
Final Exam- project/outside viewing/presentation
20% (final grade)
L. Belue
Spring 2014
Late Work: All assignments should be turned in ON TIME. Students will lose 10 points for every
day an assignment is late. After 3 days the assignment will no longer be accepted. If there is an
issue, students must speak with me outside of class to discuss changes to due dates.
The following is a list of material that will be covered this semester. The syllabus is tentative
and anything could change.
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Film Terms &
Techniques/Awards
Westerns
o High Noon
o Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid
o Shane
o True Grit (2010)
Musicals
o The Wizard of Oz
o Dream Girls
o Grease
o Chicago
o Singin’ in the Rain
o Funny Girl
o Westside Story
o Rent
o Across the Universe
Suspense & Horror
o Pyscho
o The Sixth Sense
o Frankenstein
o Dial M for Murder or Birds
Strong Southern Women
o Steel Magnolias
o Gone With the Wind
o Fried Green Tomatoes
o The Color Purple
o Driving Miss Daisy
o The Help
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Male Icons
o Forrest Gump
o Citizen Kane
o It’s a Wonderful Life
o The Graduate
o Casablanca
o Raiders of the Lost Ark
Social Commentary
o Avatar
o Wall-E
o The Lorax
80s/Brat Pack
o The Breakfast Club
o 16 Candles
o Pretty in Pink
o Dirty Dancing
o St. Elmo’s Fire
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
o Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone
o The Hunger Games
o Star Wars IV: A New Hope
o The Lord of the Rings: The
Fellowship of the Ring
o Twilight
Behavior/Rules & Procedures:
Class Rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Follow all Rules in the Student Handbook
Be Ready to Learn: Bring your Materials and Be on Time.
Keep it Clean: In Every Way
Safety First: Accidents Rarely Happen on Purpose.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: All Property, Ideas & Thoughts, Others & Yourself
L. Belue
Spring 2014
Tardy Policy: Refer to Your Student Handbook
1st tardy = verbal warning
2nd tardy = parent contact
3rd tardy = phone call and teacher detention
4th tardy = office referral
Consequences for Misbehavior:
 1st offense = verbal warning
 2nd offense = phone call home and teacher detention (After-school detention may be
assigned any day of the week; parents will be contacted to ensure transportation)
 3rd offense = office referral
Cheating Policy:
Cheating is never acceptable. It is defined as ‘to fool, mislead, act dishonestly, or to violate rules
deliberately.’ If I see any situation that constitutes cheating, the student(s) will receive a zero
and disciplinary action. This includes allowing another student to copy viewing logs/telling
information about a movie if another student is absent the day the movie is shown in class.
Classroom Procedures:
 Students should ALWAYS be on time. If you are tardy, walk in QUICKLY and QUIETLY,
hand me your pass, and take your seat.
 Absolutely NO food is allowed as our class is held in a computer lab. Drinks are
acceptable only with a lid.
 Students should not talk during movies.
 Cell phones are NOT allowed. They will be taken if seen by the teacher and held for the
class period.
 This is a film class. Being present during the entire showing of the film is absolutely
necessary. So, students will be allotted 5 bathroom passes for the entire semester.
Please plan accordingly.
 Students should not turn on/play on computers unless instructed to do so by the teacher.
Parental Involvement & Communication:
Parental support is crucial in creating the learning environment needed. I encourage parents to
stay in communication with me often. Email is the most efficient method. My email address is
lela.belue@spart5.net. Updated grade reports are available through Parent Portal. Please use
this important feature often. It is my sincere hope that grades are never a surprise to anyone.
Please contact me with questions or any concerns you may have about the material to be
covered this year. I look forward to “going to the movies” together!
Lela Belue
lela.belue@spart5.net
864-949-2355 Ext: 186
Room 503
**Please note that I teach 1st block at Byrnes Freshman Academy and am not at the high school in the
mornings**
L. Belue
Spring 2014
--------------------------------------------I have read and understand the syllabus for film studies provided by Ms. Belue.
I agree to the terms and conditions of the syllabus.
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L. Belue
Spring 2014