ENG 3115: 0478: Introduction to Film Theory and Criticism
University of Florida, Spring 2012
Instructor: Lauren Glenn
Email: laurenglenn@ufl.edu
Office: TUR 4351
Office Hours: M 12:45-1:45 and by appointment
Class Meetings: Rolfs 115
M/W/F Period 5; Screenings M Periods 9-11
Course Description (see Home Page)
Required Texts:
1. Coursepack available at Orange and Blue Textbooks
2. An active Blogger Account
Attendance Policy:
Most learning that takes place is spontaneous and difficult to reproduce outside of class. Since much of our work depends upon discussion and group work, you should plan to attend every class session. However, you may miss up to three classes without penalty EXCEPT that you will lose credit for whatever in-class work you miss. Every absence over the allowed three will reduce your overall grade by 30 points. This class has four class sessions per week. The screening period on Monday nights does count as a class period and will go on your record as an absence if it is missed. If you have an exam or some other class conflict, make sure to provide me with documentation prior to missing a screening in order for your absence to be excused.
Tardiness
Of course, you should come to class on time. If you do arrive late, please come in as quietly as possible and begin work quickly. After class, you must make sure that I change my attendance record to reflect that you attended after all. if you are more than 15 minutes late, it will count as an absence for the entire class session. In such a case, however, you may enter the class and receive credit for in-class work that you complete during the remaining class time.
Assigned Work Deadlines
You must submit assigned work on the specified due date even if you are absent and even if you are taking one of your allowed absences. Take responsibility for getting any notes, handouts, or assignments that you miss due to absence. Inform me as early as possible in advance if you will miss class due to a university-approved reason (i.e., varsity athletics) or in order to observe a religious holiday.
Special Dispensations
If you have a learning disability, hardship, or other special dispensation approved by the Office of Student Affairs, please meet with e to discuss your requirements as early in the term as possible.
Communication with Your Instructor
The best way to contact me is via email. Please allow at least 24 hours for me to respond to all requests/questions/inquiries by email. If you would like to meet face-to-face, you can visit me during office hours or contact me to schedule an appointment time that works for both of us.
Technology Use in Class
All cell phones and hand-held devices must be turned off during class. If I see your phone I will confiscate it until the end of the class period and 30 points will be deducted from your final grade. Laptops are not necessary for class participation, so they will not be allowed in class unless otherwise specified.
Statement of student disability services:
The University of Florida complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students requesting accommodation should contact the Students with Disabilities Office, Peabody 202. That office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation. The Disability Resource Center in the Dean of Students Office provides students and faculty with information and support regarding accommodations for students with disabilities in the classroom. For more information, see: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/
Statement on harassment:
UF provides an educational and working environment for its students, faculty, and staff that is free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment. For more about UF policies regarding harassment, see:
Statement on academic honesty
All students are required to abide by the Student Honor Code. For more information about academic honesty, including definitions of plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration, see:
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious violation of the Student Honor Code. The Honor Code prohibits and defines plagiarism as follows:
Plagiarism—a student shall not represent as the student’s own work all or any portion of the work of another. Plagiarism includes (but is not limited to):
a. Quoting oral or written materials, whether published or unpublished, without proper attribution.
b. Submitting a document or assignment which in whole or in part is identical or substantially identical to a document or assignment not authored by the student. (University of Florida, Student Honor Code, 15 Aug. 2007 <http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/honorcode.php>)
University of Florida students are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the entire Student Honor Code.
Graded Materials
Students are responsible for maintaining duplicate copies of all work submitted in this course and retaining all returned, graded work until the semester is over. Should the need arise for a re-submission of papers or a review of graded papers it is the student's responsibility to have and make available this material.
Classroom Behavior
Please keep in mind that students come from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Some of the texts we will discuss and write about engage controversial topics and opinions. Diverse student backgrounds combined with provocative texts require that you demonstrate respect for ideas that may differ from your own.
Statement on Grade Point Equivalencies
The University of Florida has recently instituted minus grades. As a result, letter grades now have different grade point equivalencies. For more information see: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
Explanation of Assignments
Personal Blog (7 entries)
You will develop and maintain a personal blog throughout the semester. Your blog will be used to reflect on issues discussed in class as well as to create your own analyses of films. Each entry will be evaluated for style, grammatical conventions, and content.
Screening Notes
For each screened in class, you will write a short entry in note format. Your notes do not need to be written in complete paragraphs; instead, this space will serve to compile ideas for use in future essays and class discussions. There are two requirements for each entry: (1) Your notes must equate to ½ a page of written text (as in a word document) or 200 words, and (2) each entry must be posted BEFORE class on the Wednesday following that week’s screening. So, we will watch a film on Monday and you will post your notes before class on Wednesday. You will be given a topic and items or themes to respond to during the screening (see the class blog for topic assignments). You are encouraged to use these notes during class discussion following each screening and when drafting each written assignment.
Quizzes
In-class reading quizzes will be given periodically to assess your reading comprehension of both written materials read and films screened. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of the class period and cannot be made up.
Essay 1: Moments of Meaning
This essay will require you to compose a detailed, theoretical analysis of one scene/moment from a single film that we have viewed in class. You should discuss your topic in relation to the theoretical readings we have discussed in class in addition to citing at least three sources. Your essay should not simply be an application of theories we have discussed, but a theoretical intervention in its own right. Due: Friday, 2/24/12.
Essay 2: Moments of Method
For this essay, you will enter into a critical debate within the field of film studies. You should analyze the method(s) of film theory/criticism/historicism that you believe to be most productive within film studies today, engaging with at least five written sources. In so doing, you will be advocating your own method for studying the cinema. After discussing the importance and implications of your own approach to film studies, you must demonstrate your method by producing a detailed film analysis. You must write on a film that we have screened in class or seek approval for an alternate film at least 3 weeks prior to the due date. Due: Friday, 4/13/12.
Final Presentation
Each student will give a 5 minute presentation of his or her final paper, including image stills or video clips referenced in the essay.
Participation
Your participation in class discussions and group activities will be integral to the success of this course. I will evaluate your participation on a daily basis. You are expected to be prepared for every class, including completing all reading and writing assignments on time. Failure to be prepared for or to contribute to discussion will lower your participation grade. All in-class assignments (written and group work) will contribute to your participation grade.
Graded Assignments:
Personal Blog (7 Entries) 350 Points
Screening Notes (10 Entries) 100 Points
Reading Quizzes 100 Points
Essay 1 150 Points
Essay 2 200 Points
Final Presentation 50 Points
Participation 50 Points
Total Possible: 1000 Points
Grading Scale:
930-1000 = A
900-929 = A-
870-899 = B+
830-869 = B
800-829 = B-
770-799 = C+
730-769 = C
700-729 = C-
670-699 = D+
630-669 = D
600-629 = D-
000-599 = E
