Spring 2017David Southward
T R 3:30-4:45Office: HON 166A
HON 195Hours: MTWR 2:00-3:30
Email:
Honors 200-014: Devious Cinema
Jan24TIntroductions
26RAnalyzing film narrative
*Optional 7:30p.m. screening of The Usual Suspects (HON 195)
31TThe Usual Suspects
Feb 2RThe Usual Suspectsreading
*Optional 7:30 screening of Pulp Fiction
7TPulp Fiction
9RPulp Fictionreading
*Optional 7:30 screening of Memento
14TMemento
16RMementoreading
21TDeveloping a Thesis and Argument
23RPaper #1 due in class
*Optional 7:30 screening of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
28TEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Mar 2REternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mindreading
*Optional 7:30 screening of Human Capital
7TRevised paper #1 due in class;Human Capital
9RHuman Capitalreading
14TWriting Workshop
*Optional 7:30 screening of Edge of Heaven
16REdge of Heaven
S P R I N G B R E A K
28TEdge of Heavenreading
*Optional 7:00 screening of Nine Lives
30RNine Lives
Apr 4TNine Lives reading
6RPaper #2 due in class
11TFilm Theory
*Optional 7:00 screening of Talk to Her
13RRevised paper #2 due in class;Talk to Her
18TTalk to Her reading
*Optional 7:00 screening of Mulholland Drive
20RMulholland Drive
25TMulholland Drive reading
*Optional 7:00 screening of Coherence
27RCoherence
May 2TCoherence reading
*Optional 7:00 screening ofArrival
4RArrival
9TArrival reading
11RConclusions
16TFinal paper due in my office drop-box by 4:00 p.m.
Policies
The format of this course will be seminar discussion—which means the less talking done by the instructor, the better!
Goals of the course include learning to:
- close-read and interpret film narrative
- develop ideas in rational conversation and debate with others
- evaluate the validity of a thesis or argument
- compose essays that are analytical, focused, and supported by evidence
- prepare for and lead group discussion
- appreciate the complexities of film as an art form
Class preparation will entail:
- careful reading/viewing of assigned texts for each class, taking ample notes
- bringing to class printed or electronic versions of all required reading
- posting weekly discussion starters on D2L
- organizing questions for 25-minute discussions (twice in the semester)
Participation in discussion is mandatory and will be evaluated on the following scale for each class meeting, the final participation grade being an average for the term:
A = insightful comments that actively build on and promote discussion; timely
arrival; courteous behavior; attentiveness to instructor and classmates
B = relevant comments that show some insight or engagement; possible
tardiness, reluctance to speak, domination of others, and/or immaturity
C = few comments of relevance to the discussion; prolonged silence, apathy,
tardiness, or immature behavior
D = silence or irrelevant remarks only; inappropriate or disruptive behavior
F = absence from class
In addition, each student will lead two 25-minute discussions (instructions to follow).
Writing assignments include:
1)Two analytical essays (4-5 pp. each) on topics to be assigned, both revised in response to peer reviews and instructor’s comments. These papers will be evaluated on the originality of their arguments, analysis of evidence, and style (in that order). The final grade on each paper will be an average of the first draft’s grade (⅓) and second draft’s grade (⅔). Students receiving A or A- on a first draft automatically receive an A on their revision and do not need to revise.
2)A final theoretical essay (6-7 pp.) covering at least one of the last four films.
3)Reviews of classmates’ papers, following guidelines set by a Peer Review Worksheet.
4)Occasional one-paragraph and in-class assignments.
5)Short weekly posts on D2L.
Grades will be based on class participation (as described above and including D2L posts and peer reviews = 30%); formal writing assignments (each essay = 20%); and discussion leading (10%). Only two absences are permitted; each subsequent absence will lower your final grade by ⅓ (e.g., from A- to B+). Absences cannot be “excused,” though they can be made up by an extra assignment (arranged in advance and at the instructor’s discretion). Late papers will be penalized ⅓ grade for each weekday they are late. Extensions on papers will be granted to those in hardship, but see me in advance.
Please note: Any instance of plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and possibly the course.
About my office hours: Use them! They are for you to try out your ideas, work on your writing, or express any concerns you may have about the class or your performance in it.