Hum 4 - Spring 2008
American Cinema

Syllabus

Title Humanities 4 - American Cinema.   This is an online class.
Instructor Grant Richards
Contact

Hum 111
Office hours: 10:20-11:20 (M & W), 11:30-12:30 (T & Th), and by appointment.

(408) 848-4710

grichards@gavilan.edu
Course Objectives This course provides a survey of American cinema, including a view of the inventors and the technological developments that led to the modern motion picture; an historical perspective on the growth and development of cinema, including significant films that contributed to its establishment as an art form; a study of film genres such as the comedy, the musical, the western, film noir, and others; the technology of image and sound; and a look at the basic techniques of filmmakers when they attempt to convey meaning.
The Movies You'll need to get the movies on your own.   You can rent them at local video stores like Blockbuster or Hollywood Video or watch them in the Gavilan Library, but I recommend that you subscribe to Netflix.   It is inexpensive and convenient, and it has an incredible collection of movies.
Forum Entries After watching an assigned movie, you will go to our class Forum, read my prompt on the movie (and possibly some of your classmates’ responses), and write a well thought out, well-written film response, which should be a minimum of two full pages.  In addition to writing your response, you will also have to write at least two brief reactions to other student movie responses.  You’ll post your responses and reactions on the class Forum page anytime during the week.  The deadlines are at midnight on Sunday at the end of the week.  We’ll watch 14 films this semester, but your Forum grade is based on 10 responses, which means that if you do more than 10, it is like doing extra credit work.
Grading Your final grade is based on your regular Forum entries (40%), your midterm (30%), and your final exam (30%).
Honesty Policy Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity.   Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action, which may include recommendation for dismissal.
ADA Accommodations Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Disabled Student Services Office.
Learning Outcomes
  1. To recall American film history from the silent cinema to the present day. 
         Measure: Written and oral exams     ILO: 2, 1,4                          
  2. To recognize and use the basic technical and critical vocabulary of motion pictures. 
    Measure: Written and oral exams; Written forums     ILO: 2, 1, 4               
  3. To describe how the technology of the cinema relates to film art.
    Measure: Written and oral exams     ILO: 5, 2, 1, 4
  4. To underline the economic structure of the film industry.
    Measure: Written and oral exams         ILO: 2, 1, 4                              
  5. To recognize the role of genre in American film history and to recognize how some of the most popular genres express American social and cultural tensions. 
    Measure: Written and oral exams; Written forums     ILO: 2, 1, 4, 5        
  6. Describe "realism" as it relates to motion pictures.
    Measure: Written and oral exams; Written forums     ILO: 2, 1, 4, 5                    
  7. Examine films actively and critically.
    Measure: Class discussions; Written and oral exams; Written forums     ILO: 5, 2, 1, 4

Address of this page:
http:/hhh.gavilan.edu/grichards/hum4/syl.html
Last updated on January 31, 2008

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