Division: Fine Arts, Communication, and New Media

Department: Theater Arts

Course: THEA 1023.107 (FA)

Title: Introduction to Film

 Text: “Understanding Movies” by Louis Giannetti (14th ed.)

Catalog Description:

An introduction to the elements of film, this course is designed to develop an appreciation and understanding of film as an art form and practiced craft. The class explores film criticism, film history, and film-making techniques through discussion and examination of historical and contemporary film.

Content:

THEA 1023 is an introduction to the art and craft of film as a complex and coordinated endeavor that has influenced history, culture, and the way art is consumed through film.  As delivered on the Canvas platform as THEA 1023.107, the course provides an individual study module for each Unit 1-11.  Each unit module contains: 1) an introductory video relevant to the module’s content; 2) a PowerPoint presentation of the unit’s primary content; 3) a written summary of the unit’s content; 4) a list of terms, people, and films specifically targeted to the unit; and 5) video clips of examples drawn from films referenced for viewing appropriate to each of the study modules, 1-11. “A Master Glossary of Film Terms” is also provided as the first module prior to the unit modules.

Methods will include: 1) viewing and assessing PowerPoint slide presentations; 2) reading and evaluating unit summaries; 3) learning filmmaking terms; 4) taking objective quizzes; 5) writing essay analyses of representative films and film clips; and 6) writing movie reviews.

  Topics taught in this class will include:

    Unit 1-Photography - (Text Chapter 1)

    Unit 2-Mise en Scene - (Text Chapter 2) 

    Unit 3-Movement - (Text Chapter 3)

    Unit 4-Editing - (Text Chapter 4)

    Unit 5-Sound - (Text Chapter 5)

    Unit 6-Acting - (TextChapter 6)

    Unit 7-Dramatization - (Text Chapter 7)

    Unit 8-Story - (Text Chapter 8)

    Unit 9-Writing - (Text Chapter 9)

    Unit 10-Ideology - (Text Chapter 10)

    Unit 11-Synthesis - (Text Chapter 11)

  Students who take this course will be able to:

• Critically analyze film.
• Understand the terms of film criticism and film production.
• Evaluate film based on a sound knowledge of the elements of film.
• Have an understanding of the history and process of film production.
• Understand the importance of film as an art form.

Canvas Course Navigation:

  Assignments: Opens all of the graded course assignments to be completed.

  Grades: Reveals a running tally of completed quiz scores and the points received on all written assignments that have been submitted.                                            

  Syllabus:  The official statement of objectives, methods, content, and grading standard associated with the course.    

  Quizzes:  Opens access to the 11 quizzes, 1 each per Unit/Chapter 1-11, and the 7 quizzes on the Master GlossaryTerms. (These quizzes can also be accessed through Assignments.) 

  Modules:  Provides a study module for each Unit 1-11.  Each unit module contains: 1) an introductory video relevant to the module’s content; 2) a PowerPoint presentation of the unit’s primary content; 3) a written summary of the unit’s content; 4) a list of terms, people, and films specifically targeted to the unit; and 5) video clips of examples drawn from films referenced for viewing throughout each PowerPoint presentation. “A Master Glossary of Film Terms” is also provided as the first module prior to the unit modules.

Due Dates: Assignments and Quizzes 

(Once the due date and time have passed, Canvas will no longer accept the quizzes and assignments missed for that period.  Therefore, particular attention must be paid to these dates and times since no late work or extensions will be granted.)

March 3 11:59 pm

Unit/Chapter Quizzes 1-5

Master Glossary Terms Quizzes 1-3

Film Clip Analyses 1-5

Movie Review 1

 

APR. 13 11:59 pm

Movie Review 2

 

 APR. 30 5:00 pm

Unit/Chapter Quizzes 6-11

Master Glossary Terms Quizzes 4-7

Film Clip Analyses 6-11

Movie Review 3

 

MAY 5 11:59 pm

Director/Theorists Report

 

 

Grading: Total Possible Points: 1690                      

  Quizzes:                                                                

    Unit/Chapter 1-11 (11x40)=440 points

    Master Glossary Terms (6x16)=96 + (1x14)=110 points

  Film Clip Analyses:

    11 Analyses (11x40)=440 points

  Movie Reviews: 

      3 Reviews (3x200)=600 points

  Director/Theorists Report: 100 points

 

  Grade Scale:

 

100%-94% = A

93%---90% = A-

89%---87% = B+

86%---84% = B

83%---80% = B-

79%---77% = C+

76%---74% = C

73%---70% = C-

69%---67% = D+

66%---64% = D

63%---61% = D-

60%-----0% = F

Academic Honesty:  Snow College expects all students to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty.  A student who knowingly cheats, commits fraud, or plagiarizes is in violation of this principle.  Snow College does not tolerate such violations. (See Academic Catalog).