IMAGES OF LIGHT
EN 221 A
NHTI, Concord’s Community College
Stephen Ambra
Revised for Spring 2011
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an advanced, focused examination of the art, history, and theory of a body of narrative films, which may be related by genre, filmmaker, country, style, movement, theme, and/or culture or ideology.
Utilizing viewings, lectures, projects, class discussion and emphasizing film theory, criticism and history, Images of Light explores the creative and dynamic interrelationships – particularly between the director and the director of photography - between the vision of a film and its realization.
REQUIRED TEXT:
While there is no required text, please see below, Recommended and Optional Texts.
RECOMMENDED, OPTIONAL TEXTS:
Wexman, Virginia Wright (2009) A History of Film 7th ed. Boston: Pearson – Allyn and Bacon. (Copy available on Reserve in Library)
Inga Karetnikova (1990) How Scripts Are Made. 1st ed. Southern Illinois University Press. (Copy available on Reserve in Library)
SUGGESTED, OPTIONAL TEXT:
Martin Scorsese (1997) A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese through American Movies. 1st ed. Miramax Books. (Copy available on Reserve in Library)
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
Articles, journals, web sites, etc. as may be announced.
INTERNET POLICY:
Students shall have an established e-mail account with the provider of their choice and shall bookmark the Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com).
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ATTENDANCE POLICY:
As stated in the Student Handbook and the NHTI Catalog. This is a block class and given the nature of the class students are expected to attend all classes. More than two unexcused absences may result in, but not limited to, an “AD” or “AF”.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS:
The Academic Affairs Notices are incorporated in and made part of this syllabus.
POLICY FOR MAKE-UP WORK:
The student is expected to contact the instructor as soon as he or she realizes that an absence is necessary. In all cases, late work will be accepted or make-up work will be allowed only at the instructor’s discretion and will receive a lower grade. Otherwise, the student will receive an automatic zero (0) for the missed work.
STANDARDS AND METHODS OF TESTING:
EXAMS and QUIZES: A mid-term and a final exam will be given. Additionally, from time to time, there may be announced or unannounced quizzes.
PAPERS: Two essay/research papers, each with a suggested maximum of 5 typed, double-spaced pages, are required. Students shall select their choice of subject matter and topics from a list of topics, including a discussion of a particular film or director, promulgated by the instructor.
Papers shall include different points of view regarding the selected topic and will place the topic in the context, or relationship, to the culture utilizing materials including books, articles, internet sources, etc.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION: In the first instance all papers and tests should be transmitted to the instructor via e-mail to
REVIEWS AND ESSAYS: Students are required to keep a day book which will consist of film reviews, notes and thoughts on films viewed for the class. Day books may be collected periodically.
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OTHER:
From time to time, at the discretion of the instructor, there may be other written assignments, in-class presentations, responses, quizzes, etc. for which the student is responsible.
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Students are expected to have completed all assigned readings, view all assigned films (or parts of films) and to actively engage in class discussions.
POLICY ON MAKE-UP TESTS, ASSIGNMENTS:
A make-up exam or quiz will be administered and/or a late paper, response, etc. accepted only at the instructor’s discretion and if the student’s absence is due to illness (as may be supported by a doctor’s statement) or family emergency.
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COURSE GRADING:
The final course grade will be determined on the weight of the following:
Exams, quizzes 50%
Papers 30%
Day Book 10%
Class participation 10%
The letter grade will be calculated on the following:
93 and above A 90-92 A-
87-89 B+ 83-86 B
80-82 B- 77-79 C+
73-76 C 70-72 C-
67-69 D+ 63-66 D
60-62 D- Below 60 F
METHOD OF REACHING THE INSTRUCTOR:
Office:
Library Tel. 271.7185
Fax 271.7189
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MAJOR COURSE OBJECTIVES:
-To explore the relationship between the film director and the cinematographer; between the vision of the film and its realization;
-To explore in-depth a particular film genre, filmmaker, film style, movement, period and/or theme;
-To become familiar with the history and development of a particular film genre, style, movement, period and/or theme;
-To explore in-depth film language within the context of the genre, film style, movement, period and/or theme;
-To be able to place a particular filmmaker, film genre, style, movement, period and/or theme within an historical context; and,
-To develop critical skills necessary for film appreciation and criticism.