University of North Texas Spring 2011
RTVF 3475: Film History from 1945
This is a blended course. The course content is on-line.
Screenings, Queries will take place on: Tuesdays 9.30-11.50am
Instructor: Dr. G.S. Larke-Walsh, Office M&P 233.
email:
Office Hours: Tuesday 11am-12.00 Wednesday 11-12
Teaching Assistant: Kimberly Davis
The history of film from the ending of the Second World War to the present day encompasses many issues, both in the structure and technology of film, and also in the cultures surrounding them, such as political changes, new philosophies and cultural differences and influences. This course provides an overview of some of the important developments in cinema since 1945. Beginning with Hollywood, this course then moves through a wide range of cultures, film styles and film movements. The intention is to concentrate on the aesthetics of the films with special attention to the cultural, historical and cinematic contexts that have helped shape them.
Required Reading:
Thompson, K & Bordwell, D Film History: An Introduction 3rd Edition
McGraw Hill (2010)
Your required work for this class includes:
Two interim examinations (on-line) 50%
One final examination (on-line) 30%
Weekly Assignment 20%
ON-LINE INSTRUCTIONS:
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT TAKEN AN ON-LINE COURSE BEFORE PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR READING INSTRUCTIONS, TIME MANAGEMENT, MEETING DEADLINES ETC. IS YOURS. IN-CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE LIMITED. ALL THE INFORMATION IS ON-LINE (Avail. 24/7).
Students are required to complete the course content on-line between each screening. The course will be released in three separate units (one unit per exam). Each class will include notes, reading assignments, clips and activities, including a weekly assignment. Students MUST stay up-to-date on the course content in order to fully understand the screenings and allow me to offer help in-class.
Students expecting to do well in this class should read the assigned materials, attend and take notes on the screenings and submit all the assignments and take the exams on time. You do not need to notify me if you miss class, but it is up to you to make sure you are up-to-date on all information given on-line and in class by asking other students and checking WebCT, and/or view the assigned film(s), (most of which will be available at the Chilton Media Center within a day or so after the class meeting). I can almost guarantee you will fail this class if you skip the assigned readings and/or continue to miss lectures, screenings and weekly assignments.
Exams will be based on on-line content, screenings, readings, and discussions. The final will not be cumulative. If you miss an exam for any reason you will NOT be allowed to take it late. Exams are always open for 24 hrs and you have the dates presented to you at the beginning of the semester. It is UP TO YOU to be available and take the exam during the exam period.
The Written Assignments must be at least 300 words in length. They are graded on two levels; completion and content. There are ELEVEN opportunities to submit responses to specific questions. You are required to submit only FIVE. You MUST submit your responses within specific time periods (I.e. you cannot go back at the end of the semester and fill in gaps). For instance, each discursive assignment will need to be completed before the next screening. Complete details of procedures and grading have been provided on a separate document entitled Written Assignments.
Your Final Grade will thus be based upon THREE in-class examinations and the weekly assignments. You must complete each of these components in order to pass the class. Any form of academic dishonesty will result in an F for this course.
The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I am very interested in the feedback I get from students, as I work to continually improve my teaching. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class.
The SETE will remain open through the week of finals.
NOTE: RTVF classes work with the Office of Disability Accommodation to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students . If you have special needs, please register with the ODA and present me with a written copy of your Accommodation Request as soon as possible.
BREAKDOWN BY WEEKS AND CLASS MEETINGS
1. Tues 18th Jan: Introduction to the class
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Unit 1 Module 1
On-line Content AMERICAN CINEMA IN THE POSTWAR PERIOD.
Req’d Reading: Chapter 15 Thompson & Bordwell.
2. Tues 25th Jan: Screening: The Searchers (1956)
Unit 1 Module 2
On-line content: POSTWAR EUROPEAN CINEMA 1: NEOREALISM AND ITS
CONTEXT, 1945- 1959
Req’d Reading: Chapter 16 Thompson & Bordwell
3. Tues 1st Feb: Screening: Ladri di biciclette: The Bicycle Thief (1947)
Unit 1 Module 3
On-line content: POSTWAR EUROPEAN CINEMA 2
Req’d Reading: Chapter 17 Thompson & Bordwell
4. Tues 8th Feb: Screening: The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
Tues 15th Feb: FIRST EXAM – ON-LINE – access through Assessments tab, or link
on homepage.
Unit 2 Module 1
On-line content: POSTWAR CINEMA BEYOND THE WEST.
Req’d Reading: Chapter 18 Thompson & Bordwell.
6. Tues 22nd Feb: Screening: Samna no aji: An Autumn Afternoon (1962)
Unit 2 Module 2
On-line content: ART CINEMA AND THE IDEA OF AUTHORSHIP
Req’d Reading: Chapter 19 Thompson & Bordwell
7. Tues 1st Mar: Screening: La Strada: The Road (1954)
Unit 2 Module 3
On-line content: NEW WAVES AND YOUNG CINEMAS
Req’d Reading: Chapter 20 Thompson & Bordwell
8. Tues 8th Mar: Screening: Les Quatre Cents Coup: The 400 Blows (1959)
SPRING BREAK
Unit 2 Module 4
On-line content: HOLLYWOOD’S FALL AND RISE
Req’d Reading: Chapter 22 Thompson & Bordwell
9. Tues 22nd Mar: Screening: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Tues 29th Mar: 2nd EXAM ON-LINE Access through Assessments tab, or link on
homepage
Unit 3 Module 1
On-line content: POLITICALLY CRITICAL CINEMA
Req’d Reading: Chapter 23 Thompson & Bordwell
11. Tues 5th Apr: Screening: Memorias del Subdesarrollo: Memories of
Underdevelopment (1968)
Unit 3 Module 2
On-line content: NEW CINEMAS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Req’d Reading: Chapter 25 Thompson & Bordwell
12. Tues 12th Apr: Screening: Wings of Desire
Unit 3 Module 3
On-line content: BEYOND THE INDUSTRIALIZED WEST
Req’d Reading: Chapter 26 Thompson & Bordwell
13. Tues 19th Apr: Screening: To Live (1994)
Unit 3 Module 4
On-line content: AMERICAN CINEMA, THE ENTERTAINMENT ECONOMY
AND TOWARD A GLOBAL FILM CULTURE
Req’d Reading: Chapter 27 & 28 Thompson & Bordwell
14. Tues 26th Apr: Screening: Festen: The Celebration (1995)
Unit 3 Module 4 (cont’d)
15. Tues 3rd May: There is no screening on this final day of class, BUT module 4 has a lot of content, so please do not ignore that fact. You will need to utilize this time to be ready for the final exam.
Final Exam date: TO BE DETERMINED BY UNT FINALS SCHEDULE
**Just as with an in-class exam – if you do not take the exam during the designated period you will be given a zero. “I forgot”, “I didn’t know when the exam was on-line” are not acceptable reasons for an extension.