French 2323 Spring 2018 Introduction to French Cinema: History, Culture & Style Course Information Sheet and Syllabus

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1 French 2323 Spring 2018 Introduction to French Cinema: History, Culture & Style Course Information Sheet and Syllabus Course: French Instructor: Dr. Khalid Aada Term: Spring 2018 Telephone: Meeting times: T/R 10:50 12:05 Location: Br. Main Office Hours: TBA Office location: Br. Sabal Hall 2.114A Required Course Materials Every student must purchase the films assigned to watch for the duration of the semester. Some films are NOT available on streaming services and therefore must be rented or bought ahead of time. Although some films that we study will be screened in class, it will be your responsibility to view the other week s films before coming to class. Suggested book (for further reading): Michael Temple and Michael Witt (ed.), The French Cinema Book, London: The British Film Institute, ISBN: Additional Resources for further reading: Abel R., French Cinema: The First Wave Bellour R., The Analysis of Film (2000) Crisp C., The Classic French Cinema: ( ) Douchet J., French New Wave (1990) Forbes J., The Cinema in France after the New Wave, (1992) Jeancolas J. P., Histoire du Cinéma Francais, (1995) Course Description and Prerequisites This course is designed as an introduction to French cinema and culture. It will offer students a brief survey of the history of French film, from its beginnings in the late 19 th century until the present day, but it will also provide the necessary cultural context needed to appreciate these films. We will discuss ongoing social issues within France and use many of the films we watch to think through these issues in new ways. In addition to providing important historical and cultural context for viewing these films, this course will also introduce students to the techniques of formal analysis, which they can later apply to a film from any country. We will also study the French film industry and consider how movies work as a business. Prerequisite: Comp. I & Comp. II. ** Lectures: The syllabus gives a list of the material we will cover this semester: we will discuss the movies and readings in class, polish your writing and oral skills, open your mind on French cinema and its legitimacy as an art. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK IN CLASS, EAT, DRINK, SURF THE WEB, USE YOUR CELL-PHONE, DASH OFF TO THE RESTROOMS DURING CLASS OR ARRIVE LATE TO CLASS!

2 Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes for the Course Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: 1. To introduce students to French and Francophone cinema, thus familiarizing them with creative thinking in cinema from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and thus encouraging intercultural competence measured by class performance 2. To sharpen communication skill-notably dialectical approaches to arguments about ideas and films and to acquaint students with the art of analysis, logical reasoning, and the effective development of communication in written or team-presentations. 3. To promote a firm understanding of the fundamental relationship between art and technology, thus encouraging students to make connections between the two fields measured by in-class participation. Learning Objectives for Core Curriculum Requirements This course satisfies the core curriculum requirement since it matches with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) outcomes. Basically, it focuses on: THECB Objective-Critical Thinking (CT)_CT is aligned with FREN 2323 objectives 1, 2, & 3. Students discover the French speaking world through French films, thus allow them to explore and develop new creative and critical thoughts when analyzing different fragments. THECB Objective-Communication (COM): Students sharpen their communication skills, by engaging in different activities of analysis, logical reasoning, and the effective development of written communication and by presenting exposés on their written work or team exposés. THECB Objective-Social Responsibility (SR): Students view and study films from France and Francophone nations from throughout the world, thus promoting an understanding of cultural differences and diversity in the fundamental definition of the art of cinema. THECB Objective-Team Work (TW): Students are asked to analyze clips of films and to present their interpretations (based on theoretical concepts) in class as teams. Course Requirements Students in this course will be expected to: View all required films. This is the basis of all lectures and discussions, and so it is essential that students complete all the assigned viewing before coming to class. Complete all writing assignments. These assignments will be an opportunity for students to reflect on the movies they watched and will allow them to further develop the skills they developed in Composition I & II. Participate in discussions. I expect each student to come to class ready to discuss the films for that day. Assignments & Grading Policies Attendance and Discussion: 15% of your final grade. *Attendance: Because the majority of the content in this course will be delivered through lectures and because the important of the class, you must attend every class meeting. Missing even one class will affect

3 your grade and will put you at a distinct disadvantage for completing the course requirements. Furthermore, class discussions (see below) cannot be "made up." I will excuse legitimate (documentable) absences that have been discussed with me (prior to the absence for situations in which you know in advance you will need to miss; or as quickly as possible after the absence for emergency situations). Be sure to arrive to class on time each day (two late arrivals will be counted as one absence). *Discussions: You must arrive in class with typed out and printed answers to discussion questions regarding the films due to watch for the day. Handwritten answers will not be accepted. You should arrive in class ready to discuss what you have watched. I will provide you with discussion questions a week before they are due, which will ask you to express your opinions about the films. You will only be graded on effort not on whether your answers are right or wrong. It is expected that you engage in active discussions about the films, both with me and with your classmates. (15% of course grade) Quizzes: 20 % of your final grade You will have four quizzes during this semester. Each one is worth 5 points of your final grade. Each quiz will consist of 5 questions regarding the content covered in class. Your professor will provide you with the study guide before each quiz. Midterm Exam: 20% of your final grade During Week 12, on April 3 rd, you will have an exam which will consist of 50 questions, each worth 2 points. This will be based exclusively on material presented in lectures up to that point (20% of course grade). Oral Presentation: 20% of your final grade You will choose an actor or director whose work you will present to the rest of the class. You will need to study the actor s biography, ideas about film, acting style, and important roles. Then, you will present all this information to the class along with your discussion of one of the actor s or director s films. During Week 6, on February 22 nd you will have to submit the name of the actor or director, along with his/her movie that you choose to present on. It will count as part of your discussion grade of the day. The presentation will last 10 minutes or less, you will be timed and be asked to stop if you go beyond that mark. (20% of course grade) Final essay: 25% of your final grade The final project/essay is an extension of the oral presentation. You will write about the same actor or director and the same film. The first part of the project will be very similar to your oral presentation, and you will essentially be giving the same survey of the actor s work in written form. The second part, however, will entail an analysis of your chosen film, and this will be greatly expanded from the brief discussion during your oral presentation. You will choose a scene from the film and analyze it in detail according to the techniques we have discussed in class (more specific guidelines are to follow). The goal of this project is to have you become an expert about one particular person and one particular film. The final project will be due on Tuesday 05/01 submitted to me in a bound, printed copy. No electronic copies will be accepted. Grades: Students final grade will be based on the following breakdown: Attendance and Discussion = 15%. Each class is worth 0.5 point of your final grade.

4 Quizzes = 20%. Four quizzes on the material from weekly reading and previous classes: main theoretical points or thematic content. One Mid-term essay = 20% One Oral exposé in class = 20% (details distributed in class) One final essay = 25% (details distributed in class) TOTAL 100% Additional Policies Blackboard & Instructor Website: I will only use Blackboard to post grades on assignments. Late work: I do not accept late work except in the cases of extreme emergency situations, which must be arranged with me in person. I also do not give make-up work for missed assignments, or extra credit assignments. Extensions are decided on a case-by-case basis after individual consultation with the professor (not via or the day before or on the day the assignment is due). Plagiarism: Plagiarism that is, any form of unacknowledged and/or illegitimate academic assistance is not tolerated at the university and will result in an F for the course. It is your responsibility to be aware of the policies regarding academic integrity. Remember that plagiarism includes the following: unacknowledged and inappropriate use of ideas or wording of another writer submitting a paper written or obtained from another using a paper or essay in more than one class without the permission of the instructors involved allowing another student to use your work as though it were his or her own If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please feel free to contact me before you turn in an assignment. I would much rather spend extra time with you and provide the help that you need than deal with the consequences of plagiarism.

5 Week Date Class Topic Films you must have seen by this date (subject to change) 1 01/16 01/18 Introduction to the class *** Introduction to film In class screening: The first 10 movies of the Lumière Brothers. 2 01/23 01/25 Discussion 1 History of French Cinema I Voyage Dans La Lune Black and White version: Color version: /30 02/ /06 02/08 Discussion 2 History of French Cinema II Discussion 3 History of French Cinema III Le Quai des Brumes Les Enfants Du Paradis In Class Screening: Et Dieu créa la femme (finish at home) Et Dieu créa la femme À Bout De Souffle Les 400 coups In Class Screening : Un homme et une femme 5 02/13 02/ /20 02/ /27 03/01 Discussion 4 History of French Cinema IV 1970-now Lucy Les Visiteurs In Class Screening: Qu est-ce qu on a fait au bon Dieu? In class screening of Le Grand Bleu Discussion 5: NAME of Director/Actor and Movie Due Discussion 6 due by by midnight Discussion 7 The French Genre: Comedy *** Basic Film Techniques: mise-en-scène, shots and camera movement Le Diner De Con L Arnacoeur In Class Screening: The African Doctor 8 03/06 03/08 Discussion 8 The Business of French Cinema La Vie d'adèle Amour In Class Sreening: Dheepan 9 03/13 03/ /20 03/22 Discussion 9 French Culture through Film: SPRING BREAK Paris Le Fabuleux Destin d'amélie Poulain

6 11 03/27 03/29 Discussion 10 Scene analysis Individual conferences with Monsieur Aada Intouchable La Haine Individual conferences with Monsieur Aada 12 04/03 04/ /10 04/ /17 04/ /24 04/26 Cinema and education: The role of documentary in the 21st Century. Entre les murs by Bertrand Cantet, LIBRARY Review for the EXAM EXAM Oral Presentations Oral Presentations Michelson s pamphlet: The Estates General of the Documentary Film BB 17 05/01 FINAL ESSAY DUE at 12:05 pm in class IMPORTANT NOTES: *Please note that I reserve the right to assign different movies during the course of the semester if problems arise with the online copies, etc. *Please make sure that you watch a film from the collection listed before attending class since we will discuss it during our meeting. *IF YOU MISS MORE THAN THREE CLASSES, WITHOUT A WRITTEN EXCUSE, THEN YOUR PROFESSOR WILL RECOMMEND TO THE DEAN THAT YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE WITH AN F. Important date: Spring 2018 Term (January 16 May 10) Jan.16 (Tues.) First day of classes Jan 19 (Fri.) Last day to add a class or register for Spring classes Mar. 12 Mar. 17 (Mon-Sat) Spring Break. No classes Mar.30 Mar.31 (Fri.-Sat.) Easter Holiday. No classes April 12 (Thurs) Last day to drop a course; will count toward the 6-drop rule. May 3 Study Day No classes May 4-10 (Fri.-Thurs) Spring 2018 Final Exams May11-12 (Fri.-Sat.) Commencement Exercises May 14 (Mon.) Grades Due at 3 p.m.

7 UTRGV Policy Statements The UTRGV disability accommodation, mandatory course evaluation statement and sexual harassment statement are required on all syllabi. Additional policy statements are optional, such as those covering attendance, academic integrity, and course drop policies. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) (Voice) or via at ability@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) (Voice), (956) (Fax), or via at ability@utrgv.edu. MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account ( you will be contacted through with further instructions. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Online evaluations will be available: Spring Module 1 February 14 February 20 Spring Module 2 April 11 April 17 Spring 2018 (full semester) April 11 May 2 ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE: In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at including confidential resources available on campus.

8 The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. COURSE DROPS: Recommended on all syllabi; may be modified by the instructor as long as it is not inconsistent with UTRGV policy. According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class should be aware of the 3-peat rule and the 6-drop rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time.

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