Film Aesthetics and NarrativeMrs. Federick

Course OverviewSpring, 2014

“Film is a disease…As with any drug, the antidote to film is more film.” --Frank Capra

course description

The purpose of this rigorous, college-level English elective is to explore the nature of film as a technology, business, entertainment medium, and industrial art form. While in the course, students will study a variety of film genres and styles while developing a working knowledge of film vocabulary and narrative structure. We will provide a critical methodology (through lectures, visual analyses, screenings and readings) and the practical application of that methodology (through written assignments) that will lead to an ability to analyze and evaluate film texts.

class requirements

  1. Students need to purchase a spiral notebook and a folder to keep notes and assignments. This notebook and folder must be used for film ONLY.
  2. Students must arrive to class prepared and on time.
  3. Students will need to spend time outside of class watching films. To find films, you should use the library, Red Box, or Netflix. Or, ask me to borrow a film.
  4. Cell phones must be placed in cell phone parking upon entering the classroom. If this is a problem, find another elective.
  5. Students will be respectful of one another, the teacher, the classroom, and themselves.

grading policy

Student grades will be based on written assignments (35% of total grade), quizzes (25%), film responses (20%), and notes (20% of total grade). Be aware that this is a writing intensive course—you will be writing about film, society, and your own life and experiences.

There will be a midterm for this course.

No extra credit assignments will be offered.

Late assignments (including those turned in at the end of the period or later in the school day) will NOT be accepted for credit.

Individual Film Setup: For each film, students will be responsible for four assignments:

1)Text analysis (highlighting and annotating articles about film style and narrative

2)Movie log (notes for the film)

3)Movie review critiques (responding to reviews of the movie)

4)Post-film assignments (discussion or written responses)

Major Assignments / Ongoing Assignments
  • Product Placement Paper (3rd quarter)
  • Mise-en-scene Analysis (3rd quarter)
  • Midterm (Scene Analysis)
  • Genre Research Paper (4th quarter)
  • Film Analysis Essay (Final Exam
/
  • Movie logs (film notes)
  • Text analysis notes
  • Movie Review Critiques
  • Quizzes
  • Post-film assignments

Your final paper will be worth 1/5 of your final grade. As with all work for this course, LATE FINAL PAPERS (including those turned in later in the school day) WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF 0. If you are absent the day the assignment is due, you must email or hand in your final paper by the due date or have a medically excused absence.

Academic Misconduct

Any act of academic misconduct, including but not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or facilitating academic dishonesty, will result in failure of the class.

Parent Portal

I update our students' grades on Parent Portal on a routine basis. In addition to sending home progress reports at the mid-point in each quarter, Parent Portal is how I keep parents alerted on their student’s progress. If you have questions about how your child is doing in my class, please check Parent Portal before contacting me.

e-mail and website information

  • My email address is .
  • All handouts, etc. can be found on my website. Go to select HHS, click “Staff,” and click “Federick.”

the films

Throughout the semester, we will be watching a variety of full-length films and short movie clips. The focus will be on teaching both the vocabulary of film (like sound, editing, and lighting) and the greater importance of films in our society. Films will be viewed in class. If you object to any of the films we watch for any reason, an alternate choice will be provided.

signatures

Your name:

Please sign below to indicate that you have read and agree to the course expectations.

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