Cinema 21

An Introduction to Film Studies CRN 30879-932 Spring 2022

WELCOME!

Introduction to Film Studies - an introductory course that addresses film production and film theory through the critical analysis of motion pictures. The course covers popular and technical approaches to cinema, including filmmaking techniques like directing, cinematography, editing, and visual aesthetics. Student will gain the ability to analyze the mise-en-scène, sound, editing, narrative structure, and the style of a film.

Student Learning Outcome

At the completion of this course the following Student Learning Outcomes will be met — students will be able to:

1. Define the basic vocabulary of film production.

2. Analyze the aesthetics of filmmaking.

3. Evaluate how film style establishes the conventions of cinema.

4. Explore how film technique informs cultural development and social awareness.

An advisory of: ENGL 95 or ENGL 93 or ESL 160 or placement in ENGL 93 or higher is in place for this course. Please be aware this a language heavy class in which the vocabulary of filmmaking will be utilized. Some student have noted it as if they are learning a new language. Although assessment is not geared toward grammar, discussion posts are an essential element of the course, exams include essays.

I will respond to messages within 48 hours Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. Include CINE21ONLINE and your name (ie CINE21ONLINE–AGEYER) as the subject of your messages. If you do not hear back within this timeframe, please assume the message has been lost and resend it. — Contact via Canvas Inbox is preferred — PLEASE use Canvas.

OR, you might try Pronto. If my phone is on I will hear that notification.

OR set up a meeting - Virtual Office Hours:

• I will hold office hours via Zoom probably on Tuesdays - I like to call them Visiting Hours or Happy Office Hours .

• Please know you are welcome to contact me to request another time. Let me know what works for you. I am pretty flexible.

OR

Post on the CANVAS Q&A Discussion because if you have a question everyone is probably asking that question and we can share that info. Sometimes your peers can offer examples or reword difficult concepts in manners I have not considered.

Great News!

This semester we will have a fabulous t.a., Ida Z. daRoza. She is an amazing asset to our class and I hope you get to know her and take advantage of her knowledge/skills.

The best email for her is ida.zeee@gmail.com or idaroza@mail.ccsf.edu. She tends to check Gmail faster, but whatever is easier for you. I checks both addresses in the afternoon/evenings.

Class Meetings and Time Expectations:

This class is a fully online class. As with all 3 unit classes expect a minimum of about 9 hours of work per week. In an online offering participating/completing discussions and other assignments is equivalent to coming to class. We shall learn from each other as we read and respond so please be thoughtful and thorough in your posts. We want to hear your voice, your input is important.

Coursework:

We will utilize the Canvas Learning Management system. All films for the class will be embedded in Canvas via streaming resources provided by the CCSF Library such as Films on Demand, Swank, and the BLC Library of Foreign Language Film Clips. Once you use your RAM ID to access Canvas you will be able to access the films directly from the modules. In regards to viewing the films, I realize online is not the best scenario in respect to film analysis. I suggest you use the largest monitor and best speakers available for the highest quality, most enjoyable screening experience. We will see black and white and many films from all over the world - be prepared to read subtitles.

Tips for Success:

• Keep your eyes open for weekly announcements. I try to post them on Sunday's but things happen during the week and my hope is we will feel connected.

• Be proactive. Log into our course every Sunday and prepare for the week ahead. Keep a film notebook and take notes as you watch the films.

• Plan for the unexpected. Life happens and troubleshooting is what filmmaking is all about. Plan to have all of your assignments done by 24-48 hours before they are due. That way you will meet all your deadlines and receive multiple, helpful discussion responses.

• Download the Canvas student app, if you haven't already and check it out.

• Keep in touch.

• Use the Canvas Calendar and To-Do lists. I am just learning the calendar myself, both tools are super helpful.

The 5th, and 4th editions may be utilized as an alternative. Please be forewarned there are differences between the editions - the coursework and assignments are from the 6th ed. Student Book Loan (for those who qualify), and the library reserve have copies available. Renting the text is also an option. You can locate and order textbooks online via the via the CCSF Bookstore. If a book is to be ordered from a source other than the bookstore consider shipping when comparing cost; when will the text arrive and how much will it be to ship? Further, will financial aid cover a text from another source. NOTE: You will need the book by the second week of class. I will post the first two chapters on Canvas as a courtesy for your convenience. Please be aware the work provide is not from the most recent text. If you have trouble obtaining a copy of the text please contact me and let me know your situation, I may be able to help.

Course Logistics and Policies:

Important Dates:

Day Class Begins: Jan31, 2022

Day Class Ends: May 25 2022

Last Day to Drop with refund: Feb 09, 2022

Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: Feb 17, 2022

Last Day to Drop with a 'EW' symbol: April 28, 2022

Final Exam Must be completed by May 25, 2022

Adding the Class/Add Policy:

Before the class begins: If the class is full, you are able add yourself to the wait list. The wait list has ten spots. If a spot opens up in the class before it begins, the registration system will contact the first person on the wait list via CCSF email to offer them the spot. Wait list students are given 24 hours to add the class before their spot is offered to the next student on the wait list. If you are on the waitlist be vigilant, check your CCSF email every day. If you are offered a spot in the class and you miss your window, you will be removed from the wait list and your spot will be offered to the next student on the list. Then, if you rejoin the waitlist you will be at the bottom of the list.

After the class begins: Once the class has begun, the wait list is no longer valid. After the course has begun, all students who were previously on the wait list need to add themselves to the “Class Add Request” list ASAP. Any student can add themselves to the “Class Add Request” list. If there are any open spots in the class after it begins, I will authorize adds for as many spots that are available from the “Class Add Request” list in order. It's imperative you check your CCSF email every day. If you are offered a spot in the class and you miss your window, you will be removed from the “Class Add Request” list and your spot will be offered to the next student.

Placement on the wait list or “Class Add Request” list does not guarantee a spot in the class. Further, the class schedule may indicate that spots are open in the class, yet those spots are waiting to be claimed by those on the wait list or “Class Add Request” list.

Dropping the Class/Drop Policy:

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is a student's responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%).

If a student does not complete the Check-In Discussion and other Week 1 assignments by the due date that student will be dropped as a “no show,” or that's how it is supposed to work, but these are strange and unusual times. I will instead reach out to you. If you have been unable to participate and I don't reach out to you first, please contact me and tell me what's going on - your success in this course is our common goal. Please keep in contact with me if there are difficulties. If circumstances make you miss more than 3 classes during the semester, you may be overextended. Let's discuss options. Office hours are an excellent chance to regroup and catch-up.The key is communications - I want to help you be successful.

Please keep in mind the following CCSF Free City Policy. Here I have copied from our website FreeCity FAQ -

Links to an external site.

What happens if I drop my courses and Free City is paying my enrollment fees?

1. If you drop courses before the date to receive a full refund, you owe nothing. Refund deadlines are next to each course listing on the college website at www.ccsf.edu/Schedule.

2. If you drop after the deadline to receive a full refund, then you are liable for all applicable fees, including enrollment fees/tuition for each course dropped, and the money will be returned to the Free City Program.

Pass‐No Pass (P/NP):

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online through web4 or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.

Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.

Instructor Announcements:

The instructor may post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas weekly and/or throughout the semester as the occasion arises. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. You may set your Notification Preferences through a menu in your account settings. Check your CCSF email to receive notifications.

Important Assignment/Assessment Due Dates:

In general assignments and quizzes for due on Thursdays and Sundays of each week. There are some important exceptions:

Mise-en-scène Paper Due March 13th

MIDTERM Due by Friday March 18th

Critique Due May 13th

Critique Peer Review Due May 16th

Final Exam Must be Completed by Wednesday May 25th

Late Policy:

Discussions on the readings and film screened in regards to questions posed are due every Thursday by 11:00 pm. Further assignments and assessments (quizzes, forum replies, worksheets, critiques) are due at the close of the week, by 11:59 pm on Sunday. Because you need time to look back and reply discussions are late if submitted after Sunday.

If you do get behind, please catch up as fast as possible. Further, keep in contact with me, let me know your circumstances, what's going on; communications is key.

Each assessment will be scored at the end of the week it is assigned based on the provided rubric.

Written work (critique(s) and the essay) may be rewritten, and resubmitted for a higher grade, for the goal is to learn the material.

A late submission will receive a 10% penalty.

No late submissions will be accepted for the exams, the midterm and final.

Methods of Evaluation (Assignments and Exams):

Grades will be based on the following criteria: completion several written assignments including discussion/responses, weekly quizzes, a mid-term, and a final exam. Exams include essay questions, multiple choice questions and short answer questions. Extra credit will be offered. Because attendance is measured through participation and completion of assignments and assessments in a timely manner and community college only awards full letter grades, if a student has a borderline grade (i.e. 88, 89) my policy is to round up if that student has demonstrated attendance/participation.

Type of work Total

Discussions 10 pts each = 20%

Approx 13 - 2 are 5 pts= 120 pts

Critique 10 pts = 10%

Mise-en-scene analysis/paper 20 pts = 20%

Assignments total 150 pts = 50%

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Quizzes and Exams

Multiple Choice/Short Answer 3-5 pts each

I review the shot answer myself for I know there are multiple manners to state an answer.

Quiz total Approx. 51 pts = 10%

Mid-term 20 pts= 20%

Final 20 pts= 20%

Total points points=100%

Because this is a discussion driven class reading assignments should be completed before the weekly discussion/response. It is strongly recommended that students keep a “film notebook” which should include class notes, observations and/or analysis of the films screened and reading material. The skeletal outlines provided may be considered an outline for the week and will aid in both class discussion, assignments and in studying for quizzes and exams.

Discussion posts are the primary tool for us to interact within the course. You will be graded on both your initial posts, and on your responses to your peers. For each assignment, students must complete an initial post answering the questions of the assignment. They must also respond to at least two other posts . The initial response should be at least 200 words in length, unless otherwise stated, and will apply the materials covered in the module for that week to answer the question(s).

Students will submit a two to three page, typed (either single, or one and one half spaced or 900 - 1350 words) paper. This work will include a critique of the in class screening in respect to the reading assignments. A three to five page analysis of1350 - 2250 words will also be completed. Work shall include proper citations. The CCSF library can help with citations to avoid possible plagiarism.

Exams:

The exams will cover concepts presented through the reading material, films screened in class and the material presented through the modules. Exams include essay questions, multiple choice questions and short answer questions. The quizzes and exams will be timed.

Grading Policy:

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. Each assessment will be scored at the end of the week it is assigned based on the provided rubric.

Your Grade is a Percentage of total work to date

A 90% of total work to date

B 80% of total work to date

C 70% of total work to date

D 60% of total work to date

If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the

midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.

An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.

An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.

Standards of Conduct:

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct

Links to an external site.

Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College.

CCSF policy states, “Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use of the language and thought of another author and representing them as your own.” Such work will receive ZERO points. See these links on Plagiarism:

Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism

Citing Information Sources

Student Services and Learning Resources:

Canvas:

As a fully online class offering, you will need a RAMID to log into Canvas. If you are reading this I assume you have been successful. Therefore, what I want you to know is how to access assistance and how to forward your Canvas announcements to your personal email.

The ITS Help Desk can give you help with Wi-Fi, RAM ID, email, and general computer services at CCSF:

• Phone: 415-239-3711 OR Toll Free 877-379-2491

• Email: helpdesk@ccsf.edu

To send your Canvas notifications to your email review this video.

Tutoring and Support Services:

Most college students need help at some point, yet asking for help can be scary or uncomfortable and knowing who to ask can be a huge mystery. Never fear, students have access to a variety of services and programs at City College. One support service is tutoring! City College offers free in-person and online tutorial services. Drop-in to one of the tutoring centers or visit a tutor online the first two weeks of class. Learn more about City College's Tutoring Support Services. Better yet "Enroll" in Learning Assistance. I placed the word enroll in quotation marks because what that link is is a quick walk through what tutoring is offered, how the available tutoring varies, and how to get started. It's considered a "course" because it's available here in Canvas, but don't worry there's no homework just great information. After all, I just enrolled and the options may not specifically apply to production, but could be useful to you.

Accommodations:

Please inform the instructor of any testing or other classroom accommodation necessary and provide the proper forms and paperwork available through DSPS Rosenberg Library Rm. 323. Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481. Please see the DSPS website

Homeless At-Risk Transitional Students (HARTS) Program:

415 452-5355

Elane Bautista: evbautista@ccsf.edu

The Homeless At-Risk Transitional Students (HARTS) serves City College students who are housing insecure. The program provides student-centered support services that create fewer opportunity gaps and directly impact student retention, transfer, certificate completion and overall well-being. HARTS offers students a safe space to cultivate a support network and develop self-efficacy in reaching their full academic potential.

Veteran’s Program

415-239-3486

veterans@ccsf.edu

Veterans Services at City College of San Francisco are comprised of three major components: Veterans Academic Counseling, VA Certification and the SF VA Student Veteran Health Program, all of which (along with the Veteran Resource Center and CCSF Veterans Alliance) collaborate to provide a comprehensive array of services and opportunities for veteran students to build their own community at CCSF and in the greater Bay Area.

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Links to an external site.for more information and alternate locations.

List of Assignments:

To view course content, go to the Modules.

The reading assignments should be completed before the scheduled films screen. The schedule of exams is listed above under important assignment/assessment due dates.. Each module is titled based on the corresponding chapter of the text.

The Canvas Support Hotline (24/7): (844) 592-2198

Week 01 - Module 01 Getting Started - What is a Movie?

Obtain the text.

Read Chapter 1 (pg 1-14 5^th & 6^thed.- through “Viewer Expectations”) What is a Movie?

and Chapter 11 How Movies are Made pgs. 410-420 (through “Post-production”)

Week 02 - Module 02 - What is a Movie?

Read Chapter 1 What is a Movie?

Week 03 - Module 03 - Principles of Film Form

Read Chapter 2 Principles of Film Form

Week 04 - Module 04 - Cinematography

Read Chapter 6 Cinematography

Week 05 - Module 05 - Mise-en-Scène Part 1

Reading from UNDERSTANDING MOVIES 14th ed., Giannetti Chapter 2 Mise-en-Scène - this is an alternate reading assignment. We will not use our primary text this week.

Three to five page mise-en-scène critique assigned.

Week 06 - Module 06 Mise-en-Scène Part 2

Read from UNDERSTANDING MOVIES 14th ed., Giannetti Chapter 2 Mise-en-Scène - this is an alternate reading assignment.

Three to five page mise-en-scène critique due.

Week 07 – MIDTERM

Moonlight (2016,111 min.) Barry Jenkins

Week 08 - Module 08 - Types of Movies

Read Chapter 3 Types of Movies

SPRING BREAK

Week 09 - Module 09 - Elements of Narrative?

Read Chapter 4 Elements of Narrative?

Week 10 - Module 10 – Editing Part 1

Read Chapter 8 Editing

Week 11 - Module 11 - Editing Part 2

Read Chapter 8 Editing

Week 12 – Module 12 – Acting

Critique assigned

Read Chapter 7 Acting

Week 13 - Module 13 – Sound

Read Chapter 9 Sound

Week 14 - Module 14 - Film History

Critique due May 13^th peer review due May 16th

Read Chapter 10 Film History

Week 15 - Module 15 - How Movies are Made

Read Chapter 11 How Movies are Made

Week 16 – Module 16 - FINAL EXAM

FINAL EXAM – Must be Completed by May 26^th