-- Christian Metz
This course examines the history of the film industry and the significance of films in the cultural history of the United States. In particular, it focuses on the effects of social conditions on the film industry and the content of films. It also assesses the impact of films on American culture and society.
Three trade books are required for this course. These books are available at the Student Bookstore and at Crimson and Gray.
Although attendance attendance is not mandatory, students will be held accountable on the tests for all material presented in the lectures. The lecture notes will be posted on the course website prior to the lecture. Moreover, attendance will be taken every class period and those students who attend lectures on a regular basis or who participate in classroom discussion, either by asking or answering questions, will receive extra credit.
Students are required to view three films in common outside of class. These films will be scheduled on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:00. Students may view videos of these films on their own. In addition, students are required to view the video of one other film on their own in order to write the final paper.
There will be three tests, one every five weeks. Each test will cover only the material assigned or presented since the last test. The tests will consist of 25 multiple-choice questions worth two points each and two essay questions worth ten points each for a total of 70 points. Half of the questions on each test will come from the readings and the other half will come from the lectures. All of the questions on the tests will be based on the study questions that will be posted periodically on the course website.
There will be one quiz on the content of each of the three required films. Each quiz will consist of five multiple-choice questions worth two points each for a total of ten points. These questions will ask about basic plot points in the film. Each quiz will be given in class the Thursday following the showing of the film.
There will be three papers assigned during the semester. These papers will be graded for grammar and spelling as well as for content. All papers must be submitted via e-mail to allen@mail.wsu.edu as Word or RTF attachments. The first two papers, which should be two pages in length, are worth 20 points each and the third paper, which should be four pages in length, will be worth 40 points for a total of 80 points.
The final grade will be based on 320 points: 210 points for the three tests, 30 points for the three film quizzes, and 80 points for the three papers. The grades on each test are curved from the highest score (i.e., 90 percent of highest score is the lowest A, 80 percent of the highest score is the lowest B, 70 percent of the highest score is the lowest C, and 60 percent of the highest score is the lowest D). In addition, students may receive a maximum of 12 extra credit points for attendance at lectures and classroom participation.
Each student is entitled to take one make-up test during the semester. There is no need to provide an excuse. Students must apply to take a make-up test by sending me an e-mail message within three days of missing the original test. All make-up tests are scheduled at 8:00 in the morning exactly one week after the date of the original test. All make-up tests are administered in Wilson 201. Students will automatically be penalized one letter grade on any make-up test unless they provide a documented excuse from a university office.
Talking with other students during a lecture or leaving class during a lecture, without notifying the instructor in advance, constitutes disruptive behavior. Students may be penalized by the deduction of points for each instance of disruptive behavior, Students who commit plagiarism by submitting a paper that contains material taken from other sources, without proper attribution, will be summarily failed in that paper.
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Disability Resource Center. Additional information is available on their website (www.drc.wsu.edu).
The university has taken steps to insure the safety of students on campus. You can obtain information on campus security by going to the WSU Alert website. On this website, you can sign up to be notified by e-mail of any campus emergencies.
My normal office hours will be from 10:30 to 12:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You should notify me, in advance by e-mail, if you plan to meet me during my office hours. If that time is inconvenient, you may arrange to meet me by appointment. My office is located in Wilson 250. Students can reach me via e-mail (allen@mail.wsu.edu) anytime. You are encouraged to meet with me if you have any problems with the course.
