|
SYLLABUS
FILM AS ART (ENGL. 336)
Dr. Ronald
Terranella 
Goal:
The aim of this course is to enable students to acquire
a critical awareness of how films work aesthetically. Basic
techniques and theories are explained and then illustrated
by means of movie clips, with emphasis placed on how shots
and editing techniques communicate meaning and shape our
emotional responses. Film direction is discussed and
analyzed in terms of the various categories of style-the
classical, the expressive and the documentary. Special
effects in film are also explained and explored.
Exams:
The quarterly and final exams will be given at times
determined by the university calendar and will together
constitute 50% of a student's grade. At each exam a film
will be shown and then evaluated by means of a written
critique, the norms for which will have been determined by
guidelines established earlier in the course. The exams will
include some objective questions regarding cinematic
techniques. This objective testing will precede the viewing
of the films to be critiqued and will be cumulative on the
final.
Critiques:
During each viewing of a film in class, students will
take notes based upon critical guidelines which will have
been provided by the professor. Using these, students will
evaluate each film shown. Critiques constitutes 25% of the
student's grade.
Participation:
This category will constitute 25% of the student's
grade. It will be determined by participation in
discussions, attendance, and timely completion of critiques.
Students at times will be invited to present film clips to
illustrate aspects of film technique they may deem
noteworthy. Such additional participation will be voluntary,
but will be duly noted by the professor.
Attendance:
Good attendance is mandatory. Each evening session
constitutes three daytime sessions. Cutting more than two
evening classes, therefore, is tantamount to cutting six
daytime sessions. Such overcutting will result in the
lowering of a student's grade or failure, depending on the
number of overcuts and the particular circumstances.
Students, moreover, are expected to remain for the duration
of each classroom session.
EACH SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Contact us at: 570-348-6219. E-mail:
English@marywood.edu.
|
