Course Syllabus

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Course Title: Introduction to Film
Course Number: HUM 110
Credits: 5
Instructor Name: Rob Nyland
Email Address:   Rob.Nyland@lwtech.edu
Office Hours: By Email Appt

 

Course Description:

This course educates the student to analyze and comprehend film as a storytelling medium and appreciate its value as literary and cinematic art. Approaches may include examination of cinematic technique, genre, historic context, narrative structure, archetypal sources, and/or other perspectives that enlighten the viewer and enhance insight on the medium.

Method of Instruction:

HUM 110 is a completely online course.  The class will not meet face-to-face.  All activities will be delivered and turned in online.  Students will interact with each other via discussion boards.

Course Outcomes/Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the historical development of the medium 
  • Relate films to their cultural heritage and historic context
  • Analyze and express a comprehension of how aesthetic elements, including mise-en-scene, genre, narrative structure, directing, editing, and cinematography, etc., contribute to creating film meaning 
  • Write thought-provoking critical analyses about films using accurate and appropriate vocabulary of cinematic terms and acknowledging recognized approaches to film study

Outcomes Assessment:

To demonstrate proficiency of the course outcomes, students will:

  • Demonstrate acquisition and comprehension of lecture materials through quizzes
  • Write responses to weekly film screenings in which students will analyze film language components (editing, shot composition, narrative structure, etc.), styles, and concepts
  • Create a final presentation about a particular director, editor, film movement, or genre
  • Create weekly blog posts reviewing additional film screenings

Suggested Texts/Supplies for the Class:

For the class, you will be watching a selection of videos in the comfort of your own homes.  The films I have chosen, should be available from a variety of sources, including Netflix or the local library.  If you don’t have a Netflix account, I would strongly suggest that you sign up for one for the duration of the class.  There are also films that are available at the school and your local library, although they may depend upon availability.

There is no required text for the class; however the following are suggested resources if students would like to delve deeper into film analysis:

Understanding Movies By Louis Gianetti
ISBN: 978-0132347396 

Websites:
http://www.imdb.com
http://www.metacritic.com
http://www.rottentomatoes.com 

Grading:
Student Grades will be determined from student performance on these activities:

  Points
10 Discussion Forum Questions (35 points) 350
9 Quizzes Based on Lecture Materials (25 points) 225
10 Movie Review Blogs (20 points) 200
Final Project (200 + 25 point proposal) 225
Total Points 1000

 

Grades will be determined from percentage of points earned out of the total possible in the course using the following scale:

A    4.0    950-1000

B-  2.7   800-829

D+ 1.3   660-699

A-   3.7    900-949

C+ 2.3   760-799

D   1.0    630-659

B+  3.3    860-899

C   2.0   730-759

D- 0.7     600-629

B    3.0    830-859

C- 1.7    700-729

F   0.0    <600

  • Note: A final grade of 2.0 in this course is required for the certificate or Degree track.
  • If you choose to drop this class, withdraw through registration by the withdrawal deadline.  If you do not complete the class and fail to withdraw, you will receive a grade of 0.0

Running Grade Reports

When you run a grade report, it is very important that you uncheck the option "Calculate based only on graded assignments".  Unless you do this, your grade will not factor in any missing work that you might have.  You can see that this option can drastically change your perception of what your final grade in the class is.

With Option checked:

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With Option Unchecked:

Screenshot_6_25_13_7_34_AM.png

You are responsible for running grade reports periodically through the course.

Assignments:

Quizzes

Each week, a student will be expected to take a short multiple-choice/true-false quiz administered on Angel.  These quizzes are based on the lecture material and other resources on Angel.  Students should view the lecture videos before they take the quiz.  Lecture videos are recorded by using Tegrity, a lecture capture program.  If you are having issues using Tegrity, please consult this document.  They are open book/open note.  Quizzes are due each Thursday by 11:55pm.

Discussion Forums

Each week of the class, there will be a discussion post.  The discussion posts are designed to foster communication between members of the class about the movies that they are watching outside of class.  On the discussion board students must do two things: 

  1. Post their own response to the question posed by the instructor and 
  2. Post a comment in response to the responses of another student.  A rubric for the grading of the discussion post will be placed on the individual discussion post.

Each Original Response will be worth 25 points, while replies to another student’s post will be worth and additional 10 points.  Original responses must be completed before each Saturday night at 11:55pm to be considered on time.  Responses to other class members posts must be completed by Monday at 11:55pm to be considered on time.

The list of potential screening films can be found here.

Movie Blog

One of the goals of the class is to get students to think critically about the movies that they watch on an everyday basis.  To help facilitate this, students will be asked to post weekly to a class movie review blog.  Instructions for posting to the blog can be found here.  Each post is worth 20 points.  Posts are to be completed by 11:55pm on Monday evening.

Extra Credit

To encourage you to get online early in the week, starting on Week 2 there will be an extra credit activity.  This activity is related to the week’s content and is worth up to 5 extra points.  The extra credit is only available from 12:00am to 11:55pm each Wednesday.

Course Policies, Procedures and Classroom Rules of Conduct

Participation:

Since this is an online class, participation is key to providing a positive student experience.  This class is not just about watching movies, but it’s about sharing your own thoughts and opinions.  Students are expected to log-in to the class multiple times every week to participate in the class.

Make-up/Late Work:

  • All assigned work for the week is due by the next Monday at 11:55PM via Canvas.  Work turned in after this will be considered late and will be subject to a 10% late work penalty for each week that it is late. Late work will have a 3-week cut-off, and no work will be accepted after that time.  Please discuss with the instructor any extenuating circumstances.
  • If a student misses class it is their responsibility to find out any missed assignment, projects, or response questions.
  • No late work will be accepted after the last day of the quarter.

Plagiarism

Cheating, plagiarism, theft, or hurtful behavior toward others shall be grounds for discipline pursuant to college rules.  Plagiarism is defined as not doing your "own work."  If you turn in assignments that are created by another student, you will receive a 0 for that assignment.

The instructor will often check your work against writings that can be found on the internet.  If you are found to have plagiarized you will be punished according to the regulations in the LWIT Student Handbook.

Classroom Rules of Conduct

  • This online classroom is considered a “Safe Zone.”  We are all responsible for creating a safe, productive learning environment.  Everyone will be expected to respect others through appropriate attitudes and behaviors, and hopefully seek to appreciate differences in cultures, opinions, learning styles and knowledge levels.  You are asked to be open to new people, experiences, and ideas.  Homophobic, racist, sexist, and other demeaning language and/or actions are not permissible. Assignments containing such offensive language will receive a score of “0.”

LWIT Email

All Students have been assigned a college-issued account that will be used for all communications by the College (including online courses). The account gives students 25 GB of online storage. The email format is s-firstname.lastname@lwtech.edu. Create your password at https://my.lwtech.edu/. 

Netiquette:

Netiquette is online etiquette. It is important that all participants in online courses be aware of proper online behavior, and show respect for each other.

  • Use appropriate language for an educational environment
  • Use proper spelling and grammar
  • Avoid slang and uncommon abbreviations
  • Do not use obscene or threatening language and/or graphics

Remember that LWIT values diversity and encourages discourse. Be respectful of differences while engaging in online discussions. For more information about Netiquette, see The Core Rules for Netiquette (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html) by Virginia Shea.

Support Services for Learning:

Disability Services

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact the Disability Support Services office. They will coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. All information and documentation is confidential. DDS is located in W207 in person, by phone 425-739-8300 or by email dssinfo@lwtech.edu. For additional information please refer to www.lwtech.edu/dss

Computer Lab – The MMDP/BTAD computer lab is equipped with Adobe, Autodesk, and other software in room T120. The Campus computer lab is located in the Library, room T215H.

Peer Tutoring - Peer tutoring is available for students who are having difficulty in a class. If you would like to request a tutor, please contact the coordinator in the Academic Skills Center to obtain and complete the appropriate paperwork. If you have any general questions about tutoring, please contact at tutor@lwtech.edu

Writing Center - Informational handouts, special grammar practice software, and writing tutorials are available in the Writing Center. There is no fee associated with the use of Writing Center computers or printers. Hours vary by quarter and are posted on the entrance.

Bookstore:  http://www.lwtech.edu/Student_Life/Campus_Resources_for_Students/Bookstore.html 

Library-Learning Commons:  http://lwtechlearningcommons.com/  

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

  • Evacuation procedures—posted in each classroom
  • School closures – Please check http://www.schoolreport.org/ in case of inclement weather
  • Campus Security Phone: 425-739-8135, Room E145

Course Summary:

Date Details Due