FIL 3803C Film Theory and Criticism Syllabus.pdf Download FIL 3803C Film Theory and Criticism Syllabus.pdf 

FIL 3803C: Film Theory and Criticism I (92586) Spring 2022
Instructor:	Andrew Myerson	Section Number:	0W63
Office:	Online	Credit Hours:	3
Phone:	(407) 421-1723	Meeting Days:	N/A
E-Mail:	amyerson@knights.ucf.edu	Class Meeting Hours:	Online
Office Hours:	Zoom (virtual)  Mon: 10am to 3pm Tues: 10am to 3pm Wed: 10am to 3pm	Class Location:	Online
GTA(s): (if applicable)		GTA(s) Email: (if applicable)

 

1. Course Description (including enrollment requirements prerequisites and co-requisites)

 

Major film theories up to the second world war.

 

1. Course Objectives or Student Learning Outcomes

 

Course Overview

 

Film Theory I will have students develop their analytical and critical thinking as it pertains to prominent film theory and criticism. Students will learn to distinguish various aspects of filmmaking such as form and content as it relates to a cultural, historical context. Students will also study more technical aspects of filmmaking such as editing, framing, sound, and mise-en-scene.

 

Course Objectives

• Analyze form in editing, staging, lighting, and framing and how form creates meaning, tone, and cinematic styles.
• Write analyses or short critical essays about clips or scenes from films detailing shot composition, dialogue, sound, and composition among other aspects.
• Study, discuss and evaluate assigned readings on film theory and criticism
• Apply film theories and criticisms to analytical works evaluating shots, scenes and sequences.
• Create a final project in the form of a brief video essay, graphic novel or series of critical essays by the end of the course

 

 

 

1. Required and Optional Texts and Materials

 

Junior Standing and Film Major

Required Texts and Materials

Students should have regular access to the internet and plan on logging into the course at least twice each week, budgeting at least five hours a week to complete course work. This includes readings, screenings, and writing assignments every week.

There are two required textbooks in this course. One you will have to purchase but the other is free as an eBook through the UCF library:

Title: Filmish: A Graphic Journey Through Film

Author: Edward Ross

Publisher: SelfMadeHero

ISBN: 9781910593035

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1910593036/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_83DET4AEPYPF2M2QEVZ3 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Kindle Edition Available also.

Title: The Routledge Encyclopedia of Film Theory

Author: Edward Branigan and Warren Buckland

Publisher: Routledge

ISBN:  978-1138849150

Free to download through this link using UCF Library:

https://ucf-flvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9781136472633&context=PC&vid=01FALSC_UCF:UCF&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Primo%20Central&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,routledge%20encyclopedia%20of%20film%20theory&mode=basic Links to an external site.

 

You will also watch films for this course available on Kanopy and Swank and will need your UCF NID and password to access these selections. In addition to these platforms you will also screen the following video essays:

“Every Frame a Painting” video essays by Tony Zhou

All are available at http://everyframeapainting.tumblr.com (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. and on YouTube:

• “Buster Keaton – The Art of the Gag”
• “Akira Kurosawa – Composing Movement”
• “F For Fake – How to Structure a Video Essay”

There is a video option for the final project in this course. Any students who selects this option will need the following:

• A digital camera or device with photo capabilities (e.g. cellphone, tablet) as long as the picture is of decent resolution and can be saved in a file format that can be imported by Video Editing Software. 

• A video camera or device with video capabilities (e.g. cellphone, tablet) as long as the video is of decent resolution and can be saved in a file format that can be imported by Video Editing Software. Access to professional grade camera/lenses is not necessary. 

• Video Editing software (e.g. iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Davinci Resolve). This software must be capable of importing digital stills or video from your devices, assembling picture and sound into an edited sequence, and outputting files in a playable, Quicktime format.
• Ability to upload their film to Vimeo for grading throughout the semester. Unfortunately, YouTube has been flagging and removing content for this class so password protected links through Vimeo are necessary.

 

1. Course Requirements

 

Students are expected to log into course to complete modules, readings, and assignments at least twice a week at a time of their preference.

 

Students are expected to complete the modules and assignments by their assigned due dates and participate in discussions to receive credit.

 

The final project may be completed in pairs or individually and will require a proposal, work in progress or rough draft and feedback from peers.

 

At all times students are required to engage with the course materials and screenings and create original analytical works. While discussion and collaboration is encouraged to promote greater understanding of the course materials, students should strive to develop unique thought and opinion about the theories and analyses proposed and developed in this course.

 

This is a course with weekly modules and assignments with strict deadlines. Please, make sure you are logging in at least twice a week to complete all of the required readings, screenings and assignments.

 

 

1. Method of Evaluation

 

Grading

Consult the latest Undergraduate or Graduate catalog for regulations and procedures regarding grading such as grade changes and grade forgiveness. The following is how the grades will break down in this course:

Assignment Group	Percentage of Grade
Discussions	15%
Writing/Criticism Activities	15%
Quizzes (4 total)	20%
Mid-term essay exam	20%
Final Creative Project (short video essay, graphic novel, or series of essays) ·       Proposal with bibliography ·       Presentation of work-in-progress ·       Rough Draft ·       Peer Review of Rough Draft ·       Final project deliverable	30%
	Total 100%

 

Grades will be posted to Webcourses so that student may keep track of grades throughout the semester. Students will receive graded tests and materials as promptly as possible after the deadline.

Discussions (15%)

Almost every week, you will be asked to view a film and read advanced theoretical materials. Discussions are a low-stakes way to test drive what you are learning by applying theoretical ideas to your own film analysis. By writing/sharing analysis in a discussion-format, you get the benefit of seeing many different points of view and interact with your classmates. The lowest discussion grade will be dropped.

Writing/Criticism Activities (15%)

Throughout the semester, you will be asked to complete writing assignments that will develop analytical techniques and active criticism. These will be more in-depth and structured than the discussions. Some may require outside research. The lowest writing activity grade will be dropped.

Quizzes (20%)

In this course, we cover some dense academic ideas, so retention of information is important from unit to unit. Four quizzes will be administered testing your comprehension of readings, screenings and other module materials. The quizzes open at the beginning of the week (Monday) and close the following Monday night at 11:59 p.m. Each student will have 60 minutes to complete 10 questions. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Mid-Term Essay Exam (20%)

Your Mid-Term assessment for the course will be an essay exam. You will be asked to choose and respond to multiple prompts in essay form. Comprehensive directions will be provided closer to the Mid-Term.

Final Creative Project (30%)

For this culminating project, you will create a short video essay, short graphic novel, or short series of critical essays in which you apply ideas and concepts explored this semester, modeled on the materials studied in class. Form and content requirements are outlined in the directions; the subject, creative approach, perspective, and insight are yours to develop and express. You will receive extra credit for posting your final project into a discussion during the final week of the course.

You may choose to work in pairs or individually on the final project.

For full completion of the assignment, you must turn-in a proposal, present your work-in-progress, provide feedback on other classmates’ projects, and deliver the final draft. Specific details and requirements will be provided after the mid-term exam.

Submission Requirements

Assignments will be submitted directly to Webcourses. All Writing/Criticism assignments are required to use MLA formatting, with 12pt font and default margins.  

1. Course Policies

 Grades

Late Work and Makeup Policy:

All assignments are expected to be submitted by the posted due date. Peer reviews and discussions are only valuable when completed in a timely manner. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor should issues arise that conflict with meeting assignment deadlines.

Assignments will not be reopened unless your absence documents one of the following circumstances from the Undergraduate Catalog, “Reasons for acceptable absences may include illness, serious family emergencies, special curricular requirements (e.g., judging trips, field trips, professional conferences), military obligations, severe weather conditions, and religious holidays.” For your absence to be excused, you must provide me with official documentation. If an absence is excused, it is your responsibility to meet with me virtually during office hours to arrange to make up the missed work.

COVID NOTICE: For those dealing with issues that arise from the pandemic, please contact me to discuss any difficulties with the completion of your assignments.

Extra Credit Policy:

Occasionally, extra credit opportunities will be offered to the entire class, at my discretion. Please note as well that a significant number of low scoring assignments will be dropped in this course, as a buffer to anyone experiencing setbacks or having a bad week.

Grades of "Incomplete":

A grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be assigned by the instructor when a student is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances, and when all requirements can be completed in a short time following the end of the term.

 

It is expected that the student will have completed a majority of the course. When an instructor assigns an “I” grade for a course, the student is notified through email about the grade. The student is responsible to arrange with the instructor for the completion of the requirements of the course. The Incomplete must be changed within one year of the last day of the term attempted or prior to graduation from the University, whichever comes first. Unresolved Incomplete grades automatically will be changed to “F” by the Registrar’s Office. Unresolved “I” grades in courses graded with “S” or “U” will be converted to “U.” Students cannot graduate with an "I" unresolved for any course.

Technology and Media

Contacting the Instructor

This is not a in person course; however, I am generally available throughout Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5pm to discuss any issues or aid with the course. You may reach me via email by amyerson@knights.ucf.edu or Webcourses messaging using the inbox tool on the platform. Should you post comments with your assignments note that I will not be able to read it immediately.

Generally reaching me by my email or Webcourses is the most direct and preferred method of contact, and I will always assist students to my best ability. Should you have an issue or complaint and not feel comfortable meeting individually you may meet with myself another faculty advisor for assistance.

It is each student's responsibility to reach out to me if expectations or instructions in this course are unclear. Always ask for help if it is needed! I will always help to the best of my ability.

PLEASE NOTE: I won’t talk to any of you about our class on social media or through non-Knightsmail emails, as it violates your right to privacy as a UCF student. Be advised that it is also against the law for me to speak to your parents, family members, roommate, best friend, etc. about the status of your grades in this course.

You can always schedule a virtual appointment with me over Zoom. My online office hours for Spring 2022 are Mondays: 10am-3pm.  Tuesday 10am to 3pm and Wednesday 10am to 3pm. Should you need to make an appointment outside of these times please notify me.

Copyright

This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used regarding the Fair Use doctrine to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download, or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. 

Content Warning:

Some of the films that will be screened and discussed may express adult or controversial themes, violence, nudity, and strong language that some may find offensive. Content warnings will be provided when necessary. I will do my best to notify students ahead of time about content warnings for assigned films ahead of time. Please contact me should you wish to view an alternative film that will compliment the assigned readings and assignments for that week. I will seek approval to explore alternative film options if necessary.

 

1. Academic Integrity

Plagiarism and Cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action. See the UCF Golden Rule for further information. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else. I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone.

 

Academic Honesty/Golden Rule

Students including the instructor are required to abide by proper conduct as outlined in UCF golden rule policies. Disagreements about the materials may occur but everyone including myself is expected to maintain a climate of respect and civil discourse. At no point is academic dishonesty acceptable or misconduct.

 

	Examples of Offending Online Behavior
Academic dishonesty/cheating	Copying and pasting information without citation in an assignment. Taking exams/quizzes as a group or sharing questions/answers with classmates. Using assignments from a previous class and passing it off as new work.
Possessing and/or providing false and misleading information and/or falsification of university records to Instructor	Providing false or altered documentation of an emergency.
Disruptive Conduct	Insensitive remarks in discussion boards, posting NSFW images, links, or comments without appropriate warnings.
Personal Abuse	Insensitive or hostile messages to classmates or the instructor. Failure to respect the explicitly stated boundaries of others.

 

Disregarding these expectations may result in a reduction of your grade at the instructor's discretion. See link for more information: The UCF Golden Rule

 

1. Course Accessibility Statement

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing access and inclusion for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need specific access in this course, such as accommodations, should contact the professor as soon as possible to discuss various access options. Students should also connect with Student Accessibility Services (Ferrell Commons, 7F, Room 185, sas@ucf.edu, phone (407) 823-2371). Through Student Accessibility Services, a Course Accessibility Letter may be created and sent to professors, which informs faculty of potential access and accommodations that might be reasonable.

UCF Cares

During your UCF career, you may experience challenges including struggles with academics, finances, or your personal well-being. UCF has a multitude of resources available to all students.

Please visit UCFCares.com (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. if you are seeking resources and support, or if you are worried about a friend or classmate. Free services and information are included for a variety of student concerns, including but not limited to alcohol use, bias incidents, mental health concerns, and financial challenges.

You can also e-mail ucfcares@ucf.edu with questions or for additional assistance.

You can reach a UCF Cares staff member between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling 407-823-5607.

Religious Observances

Students are expected to notify their instructor in advance if they intend to miss a deadline to observe a holy day of their religious faith. If an assignment has been available for a period of time prior to the holiday, students are expected to work early in anticipation of their religious observances.

1. Campus Safety Statement

Though most emergency situations are primarily relevant to courses that meet in person, such incidents can also impact online students, either when they are on or near campus to participate in other courses or activities or when their course work is affected by off-campus emergencies. The following policies apply to courses in online modalities.

• In case of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.
• Every UCF classroom contains an emergency procedure guide posted on a wall near the door. Please make a note of the guide’s physical location and consider reviewing the online version at http://emergency.ucf.edu/emergency_guide.html.
• Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes from each of your classrooms and have a plan for finding safety in case of an emergency. (Insert class-specific details if appropriate)
• If there is a medical emergency during class, we may need to access a first aid kit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator). To learn where those items are located in this building, see http://www.ehs.ucf.edu/workplacesafety.html (click on link from menu on left). (insert class specific information if appropriate)
• To stay informed about emergency situations, sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to my.ucf.edu and logging in. Click on “Student Self Service” located on the left side of the screen in the tool bar, scroll down to the blue “Personal Information” heading on your Student Center screen, click on “UCF Alert”, fill out the information, including your e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”
• If you have a special need related to emergency situations, please speak with me during office hours.
• Consider viewing this video (https://youtu.be/NIKYajEx4pk) about how to manage an active shooter situation on campus or elsewhere.

COVID-19 and Illness Notification

Students who believe they may have a COVID-19 diagnosis should contact UCF Student Health Services (407-823-2509) so proper contact tracing procedures can take place.

Students should not come to campus if they are ill, are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID, or if anyone living in their residence has tested positive or is sick with COVID-19 symptoms. CDC guidance for COVID-19 symptoms is located here: (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.)

Students should contact their instructor(s) as soon as possible if they miss class for any illness reason to discuss reasonable adjustments that might need to be made. When possible, students should contact their instructor(s) before missing class.

In Case of Faculty Illness

If the instructor falls ill during the semester, there may be changes to this course, including having a backup instructor take over the course. Please look for announcements or mail in Webcourses@UCF or Knights email for any alterations to this course.

Course Accessibility and Disability COVID-19 Statement

Accommodations may need to be added or adjusted should this course shift from an on-campus to a remote format. Students with disabilities should speak with their instructor and should contact sas@ucf.edu to discuss specific accommodations for this or other courses.

1. Deployed Active-Duty Military Students Statement

 

If you are a deployed active-duty military student and feel that you may need a special accommodation due to that unique status, please contact your instructor to discuss your circumstances.

 

1. Final Exam Date and Time

 

Monday, May 2^nd Final Project Due by 11:59pm

 

 

1. Course Schedule

 

Schedule may be subject to changes at anytime. Announcements will be made for changes that may impact assignments.

 All assignments are due by 11:59pm, the Monday night one week after they are assigned, unless otherwise stated.

Date	Module, Topics, Films	Assignments
Week 1 January 10-16	Getting Started Module   Unit 1: The Frame   Module 1: Introduction to Film Viewership in Film Theory and Criticism I   Watch: Sherlock Jr. (1924) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan 17th)	Complete: Free-Write Activity due by 5pm January 14th   Watch “Every Frame a Painting: Buster Keaton – The Art of the Gag”   Read: Filmish Chapter 1: The Eye  Complete: Sherlock Jr. Discussion on motifs from the film. Complete: Sherlock Jr. Discussion on motifs from the film Assignment due January 16th due to federal holiday.
Week 2 January 18-24	Unit 1: The Frame   Module 2: Film Analysis Terms   Watch: Her (2013)	Complete: Discussion post on Her and the Yale Film Analysis Guide   Complete: Sherlock Jr. Scene Analysis: Off-Screen Space Assignment due January 24th at 11:59pm
Week 3 January 24th to January 31st	Unit 2: Cinematic Space: spectacle, story, movement   Module 3: Apparatus Theory and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave   Introduction to Apparatus Theory and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave   Watch: L'arrivée (1999) and The Truman Show (1998) or The Conformist (1970)	Read: Routledge, Apparatus Theory (Plato) (p. 21-33)   Practice: Label Plato's Cave   Complete: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave Discussion   Complete: Quiz #1 due by 11:59 p.m. on January 31st
Week 4 January 31st to February 7th	Unit 2: Cinematic Space: spectacle, story, movement   Module 4: Cinematic Space Plato’s allegory of the cave in Brazil   Watch: Brazil (1985)	Read: Filmish Chapters 2 & 3: The Body; Sets and Architecture   Complete: Brazil Scene Analysis: Set Design and Architecture
Week 5 February 7th to February 14th	Unit 3: Silence and Sound Module 5: Sound Design and Movement Watch: M (1931)	Watch: “Every Frame a Painting” Akira Kurosawa– Composing Movement   Complete: M Discussion   Complete: Quiz #2 due by 11:59 p.m. on February 14th
Week 6 February 14th to February 21st	Unit 3: Silence and Sound   Module 6: Silence is Sound   Theories of sound in film     Watch: A Man Escaped (1956)	Read: Filmish, Chapter 5: Voice and Language   Complete: A Man Escaped Discussion   Work on Mid-term Essay Exam
Week 7  February 21st to February 28th	Unit 4: What is cinema?   Module 7: The Ontology of the Photographic Image   Watch: La Jette (1962) or The Witch (2015)	Read: “Ontology of the Photographic Image,” Andre Bazin (Webcourses)   Read Filmish, Chapter 4: Time   Complete: Discussion Ontology of the Photographic Image along with La Jetee or The Witch   Work on Mid-term Essay Exam
Week 8 February 28th to March 4th	Module 8: Mid-Term Essay Exam	Mid-term due by 11:59pm March 4th
Week 9 March 14th to March 21st	Unit 4: What is Cinema?   Module 9: Subjective Camera and Research Methods for Film Analysis   Final Project Instructions   Research Methods for Film Analysis   Camera and Rhetoric   Watch: Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962)	Read: Routledge, Camera (p. 69-74)   Complete: Analyzing Film Criticism Assignment   Complete: Quiz #3 due by 11:59 p.m. on March 21st   Complete: Cleo from 5 to 7 Writing Assignment
Week 10 March 21st to March 28th     Withdrawal deadline: March 25th at 11:59pm	Unit 5: Time & Sequence   Module 10: Video Essay Criticism and Power and Ideology   Video Essay Criticism   Power and Ideology, Technology and Technophobia   Watch: Meek's Cutoff (2010) or I Am Not Your Negro (2016)	Read: Filmish Chapters 6 & 7: Power and Ideology; Technology and Technophobia   Watch: “Every Frame a Painting” on F for Fake   Complete: Diversity in Film Criticism Assignment   Complete: Final project proposal due by 11:59pm March 28th
Week 11  March 28th to April 4th	Unit 5: Time & Sequence   Module 11: Point of View, Emotion and Illusion in Stories We Tell   Emotion in film and illusion   Watch: Stories We Tell (2012)	Read: Routledge, Emotion, Film and (p. 151-156) + Illusion (p.247-252) + Point of View (pg. 371-375)   Complete: Stories We Tell Discussion   Complete: Quiz #4 due by 11:59 p.m. on April 4th   Work on Final Project
Week 12 April 4th to April 11th	Module 12: Work-In-Progress Presentations	Complete: Post your work-in-progress presentation by 11:59 pm on April 11th   Work on Final Project
Week 13  April 11th to April 18th	Module 13: Peer Review of Final Project & Rough Draft Delivery     Module 14: Rough Draft Delivery	Complete: Work-in-Progress Discussion   Complete: Peer Evaluation of Final Project by 11:59 p.m. April 18th   Complete: Rough Draft due by 11:59 April 18th
Week 14 April 18th to April 25th   Grade Forgiveness Deadline: April 25th	Module 15: Revise Rough Draft	Revise Rough Draft
Final Exam Week April 27th to May 3rd	Module 16: Delivery of Final Project and Optional Final Project Discussion	Complete: Final Project due by 11:59pm Tuesday, May 3rd Extra Credit (optional): post your final project in the Final Project Discussion by 11:59pm Tuesday, May 3rd

 

 

OPTIONAL: In-Class Recording:

Students may, without prior notice, record video or audio of a class lecture for a class in which the student is enrolled for their own personal educational use. A class lecture is defined as a formal or methodical oral presentation as part of a university course intended to present information or teach enrolled students about a particular subject. Recording class activities other than class lectures, including but not limited to lab sessions, student presentations (whether individually or part of a group), class discussion (except when incidental to and incorporated within a class lecture), clinical presentations such as patient history, academic exercises involving student participation, test or examination administrations, field trips, private conversations between students in the class or between a student and the faculty member, and invited guest speakers is prohibited. Recordings may not be used as a substitute for class participation and class attendance and may not be published or shared without the written consent of the faculty member. Failure to adhere to these requirements may constitute a violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct as described in the Golden Rule.