FAMS 101: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
Summer 2016
Andy Smith
248 North Third Street #115
smitham@lafayette.edu
610.330.5244
Class:MW 9:00am-12:30 pm in Media 2, 248 North Third Street
Office Hours: M and W by appointment
Description
This foundational course introduces students to basic concepts, theories and methods central to the study of film and media studies, with the main goal of developing critical media literacy. We will study histories, contexts, and formal techniques, with emphasis on properties such as camera, mise-en-scene, editing and sound to develop an understanding of analog and digital modes of representation. In addition to cinema, we will also study television, web and other forms of electronic media to gain a better understanding of the perspectives and practices of emerging technologies and forms of distribution. Through required weekly screenings, activities, readings, writing and regular discussion, we will analyze a variety of screen media to understand how they work and how they influence our world.
Course Objective
The purpose of this course is to provide a critical, historical and conceptual introduction to various forms of screen media and their role in our lives, with offering students the chance to develop critical media literacy.
Learning Outcomes
–Students will learn to develop critical media literacy across various historic and emerging platforms.
–Students will examine some of the histories and genres of cinema and other digital media.
–Students will develop a foundational understanding of key concepts in film and media studies.
–Students will understand some of the theoretical approaches and current debates as they pertain to film and media studies.
–Students will develop a vocabulary to talk about production techniques and aesthetics as they relate to the moving image.
–Students will hone their critical analysis and media literacy through regular screenings, class discussion and assignments.
Required Written Texts*
The Influencing Machine, by Brooke Gladstone
The Film Experience, 4th ed., by Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White
The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, by Jonathan Gottschall
The Age of the Image: Redefining Literacy in a World of Screens, by Stephen Apkon
* you are required to acquire, read, bring to class, and use these books constantly.
Cinematic and Media Texts
The list of films and other media we will screen/view is lengthy and malleable. We will typically make time to screen at least one full-length film or other media per week, plus see excerpts from numerous others both in-class and during our weekly labs. Some possible screenings this semester may include:
I Forgot My Phone, It’s in your Hands, Children of Men, Citizen Kane, The Battle Over Citizen Kane, Do the Right Thing, Stories We Tell, Nosferatu, The General, The Cameraman, Apocalypse Now, Bringing Up Baby, Maltese Falcon, Chinatown, The Thin Blue Line, War Photographer, PressPausePlay, The Celluloid Closet, Half Past Autumn, Rope, Breathless, Triumph of the Will, Night and Fog, Medium Cool, The Piano, MissRepresentation, Network, Quiz Show, Magnolia
Evaluation
Course assignments will be weighted in the following manner:
Blog work 20%
2 Short Papers (2-4 pages) 40%
Final 20%
Class activism 20%
A range (90-100); B range (80-89); C range (70-79); D range (60-69); F (0-59)
Class and Screening Participation (Activism)
When you are in class, I will expect that you have something constructive and relevant to contribute. You should come to class prepared–that means having read all the assigned material for that day, having watched, taken extensive notes and reflected on the film screenings, and ready to actively contribute to discussions. Ground rules for the labs are fairly simple. You should be ready for the start time. You should view films attentively, quietly, and keep distracting behavior to a minimum. Do whatever you need to do to be present and plugged in for the entire screening of the film. Take copious notes to remind yourself of important scenes, techniques, and examples of formal features, for use when you have to discuss and write about the film later. Developing your own system of logging details of a film screening is a must.
Assignments
Blog Work
We will use a WordPress blog as a way to keep our conversations going beyond the class, and as a way to try out new ideas in a steady fashion that we all can access. Everyone in the class is an author on the site, which means that each of us is responsible for the knowledge we construct there—each of us has a voice and we are all each other’s audience. Everyone will post and comment regularly (3-4 times per week). The blog is where you engage screenings, class discussions, readings, events, and anything newsworthy or relevant that enhances our work on film and media. You will do regular blogging and, in the semester’s second half, a short blog project on forms of digital media.
Short Papers (2-4 pages)
You will write 2 short papers over the course of the semester. These will be focused and task-oriented, but each may also build upon, revise and incorporate blog writing you have done. These papers should be carefully written, revised, and proofread—more polished than blog entries.
Exams
We will have a final exam. The exam will contain ID, short answer and essay components.
Writing Assignments
All writing assignments must be word processed, double-spaced, spell checked, edited, and stapled. Do not use cover sheets. Do use standard 12 pt font size. If you follow these directions, you will not detract from the quality of your ideas on the page. If you don’t follow these directions, you will detract from the quality of your ideas on the page and most likely your grade will suffer.
Attendance
Attendance for all classes and labs is mandatory. If you miss or cut a class you will find yourself seriously behind. If you do need to miss a class, it is your responsibility to inform me before the class or lab you will miss and to follow-up with me later concerning what you missed. If you miss a screening, it is your responsibility to view the film you missed. More than two unexcused absences (lab and/or class) will lower your participation grade significantly; more than three unexcused absences will lower your course letter grade. If you miss more than four classes and/or screenings, I will remove you from the course roster. Repeated tardiness will be treated as absences.
Late Papers
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day they are due–after that, they are considered late. Late assignments are subject to a grade reduction and less feedback from me.
Academic Honesty
In accordance with the Lafayette Student Handbook guidelines, I expect each student to do his or her own work, to struggle with and complete all assignments honestly, and to uphold the intellectual integrity of the college, the course, and his/her own mind. This includes understanding and displaying proper citation for all source materials in your written work. Refer to the St. Martin’s Handbook for proper citation formatting and ask me if you have any doubt. I will respond to examples of academic dishonesty in accordance with the specific guidelines of the Lafayette Student Handbook.
Academic Accommodations
In compliance with Lafayette College policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Requests for academic accommodations need to be made during the first two weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students must register with the Office of the Dean of the College for disability verification and for determination of reasonable academic accommodations.
Diversity Policy
The FAMS program fully subscribes to Lafayette College’s commitment to promoting diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and place of origin. All FAMS courses work towards actively building and sustaining a fully inclusive community of learners and activists.
Federal Credit Hour
The student work in this course is in full compliance with the federal definition of a four credit hour course. Please see the Lafayette College Compliance webpage on the Registrar’s site for the full policy and practice statement.
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Course Schedule (subject to changes)
Week 1: Introduction to Reading Media
M 5/23
W 5/25
Read: Begin Storytelling Animal and The Film Experience
Week 2: How to Tell a Story
M 5/30 Memorial Day (no class)
Due: Begin regular blogging
W 6/1
Discuss: The Storytelling Animal
Week 3: Deeper in Cinema
M 6/6
Discuss: The Film Experience
W 6/8
Discuss: The Film Experience
Due: Essay 1
Week 4: Complicating Approaches to Media
M 6/13
Discuss: The Film Experience
W 6/15
Discuss: The Film Experience and The Influencing Machine
Week 5: Influencing Machines
M 6/20
Discuss: The Influencing Machine and The Age of the Image
W 6/22
Discuss: The Influencing Machine and The Age of the Image
Week 6: Media Literacies
M 6/27
Discuss: The Age of the Image
Due: Essay 2
W 6/29
Due: Final (in class)