TCF 112 Motion Picture History and Criticism

Fall 2001 (3 credit hours)

Course Objectives:

TCF 112 aims to introduce the student to the history of film and to explore some of the major conceptual models (e.g., formalism, genre theory, auteurism, and so on) that have been applied to that history.

Texts:

In a sense, there are three "texts" for this course:

1.                  The course readings: Louis Giannetti, Scott Eyman, Flashback: A Brief History of Film, 4th edition (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001). If you can't find it locally, then buy it online in the textbook section of http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ .

2.                  The course lectures

3.                  The course films

Giannetti & Eyman will supply the student with the basic facts of film history. The lectures augment those facts with specific interpretations of them. The films themselves illustrate both the readings and the lectures.

Assignments:

1. There will be three objective (multiple choice, true/false) readings tests over the course of the semester. These closed-book tests will consist of questions drawn from the readings and the films, but not the lectures. They will be worth 15 points each.
2. Additionally, 1 essay assignment due on Sept. 26^th is worth 10 points. However, the mid-term (20 points) and final (25 points) exams will be given. These exams will consist of open-note, open-book essay questions drawn from the lectures and referring to the films. Photocopied notes may not be used during these exams; any other notes or books are permissible.
   
   Dates of the tests/exams are indicated below. Make-up test/exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. You must provide a valid excuse such as physician’s letter, funeral, etc. No tests/exams will be given before their scheduled dates.

Grading scale:

Posting of Grades:

If you give us written permission to do so, your grades will be posted by the last four digits of your student ID number in the hallway outside room 216. They may also be found on the TCF Website:

 http://www.tcf.ua.edu/courses/DShabazz/T112/F01/Index.htm

Absence Policy:

The tests/exams' questions assume the student has attended all lectures and film screenings.

Academic Misconduct Policy:

All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

Disabilities Accommodation Policy:

To request disability accommodations, please contact Disabilities Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with Disabilities Services, contact Demetria Shabazz.

Film Screenings & Film Credits:

There will be no other opportunity to see the films other than the in-class screenings. Most are not available for rental on videocassette/DVD. These films serve as our texts. Ringing cell phones, talking or other disturbances will not be tolerated during screenings.

The best source for film credits is the Internet Movie Database: us.imdb.com . Click on the film titles below to access their credits on the IMDb.

Course Schedule

Subject to revisions announced in class.
= lecture notes
= illustrations

Note to students:

Information to communicate to Instructor or GTA should be emailed or written down. Any information such as concerns about exams, grades, etc., questions from students taken at the beginning or end of class maybe forgotten. However, if questions are written we have something to refer to at a later time.

Date	Lecture/Film	Readings
8/22	Introduction to the Course
	Lumière & Edison Shorts (1890's)
	A Trip to The Moon (Méliès, 1902)
8/29	The Evolution of Narrative Film
	The Docks of New York (von Sternberg, 1928)			Chs. 1, 2
9/5	German Silent Film: Expressionism & Kammerspielfilm
9/5	Excerpts from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Wiene, 1920)			Ch. 4
	Russian Formalism: Sergei Eisenstein
	Excerpts from The Battleship Potemkin (Eisenstein, 1925)
	Assignment: Type an original two paragraph essay about any film analyzing what film tradition it most reflects, i.e. Classical Hollywood, Silent film era, Russian Formalism, or German Cinema. Use proper MLA citation. If you have any questions about completing the assignment do not hesitate to contact either the instructor or the GTA for assistance. Due 9/26.
9/12	Silent Film Comedy: Buster Keaton
	Steamboat Bill, Jr.(Keaton, 1928)	Ch. 3
9/19	*Readings Test 1: Chs. 1, 2, 3, 4* Bring your own pencils. Closed book exam.
	Classical Hollywood Cinema (Remember "tcfuser" for both)
9/19	Blonde Venus (Sternberg, 1932)	Ch. 5, 6
9/26	Assignment due at beginning of class. Bazinian Realism: Jean Renoir The Crime of M. Lange(Renoir, 1936)			Ch. 7
10/03 to 10/10	Auteur Theory: Spike Lee
	Crooklyn
10/17	*MID-TERM EXAM*Bring your own paper to write on, pens, notes, and textbook to use during the essay exam.
	Documentary Form	Ch. 8
	Nanook of the North (Flaherty, 1922) Kids (Clark, 1995) To be announced Taxicab Confessions (Gantz & Gantz, 1995) One and All (The Center for Public Television at UA)
10/24	Italian Neorealism and New German Cinema: Werner Herzog			Ch. 9and Ch. 15
10/24	The Marriage of Maria Braun  (Fassbinder, 1979)
10/31	Genre Study I: Science Fiction and Film			Ch. 10
10/31	To be announced
11/7	French New Wave: Jean-Luc Godard
11/7	Vivre Sa Vie (Godard, 1962) Guest Speaker	Chs. 11, 13
11/14	*Readings Test 2: Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9*Bring your own pencil. Closed book exam. Ending of Maria Braun Genre Study II: Screwball Comedy
	My Man Godfrey (LaCava, 1936)	Review Ch. 6 (pp. 149-52)
11/21	Thanksgiving Break (Go and see a great film) and read the remaining chapters in the book
11/28	The Breakdown of Hollywood Classicism : Class Cancelled: Apply Chapters below to 12/5
		Chs. 10, 12, 14 (optional: 16-18)
12/5	Feminism and Film and 11/28 Lecture
	Mi Vida Loca (Andeers, 1993)
12/12	**FINAL EXAM**Wednesday 6 to 9:00
	Reading Test 3 and Final essay exam: Chs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15**Bring your own pencil. Notes and textbook can be used during essay portion of exam only.