Spring 2015? ?|?? Thursday
10:10-1:25? |?? 14 E. Jackson LL105
Instructor: Wendy Roderweiss? Office: CDM 460
Email: wroder@cdm.depaul.edu
(best way to reach me)
Office hours:?? 2:30-4:00 Thursdays and by
appointment
April 10, 2015 Last day to drop classes without penalty
May 15, 2015 Last day to withdraw from SQ2015 classes
This syllabus is subject to change (Document date 3/20/15)
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Course Description:
Critical analysis of successful Hollywood films
and their narrative structures. ?Films of various genres and eras will be
examined. Students will learn how to recognize classical three-act structure in
finished films and scripts. Students will develop a cinematic language with
which to discuss films as well as a toolbox of techniques to use when making
films. ?Key story concepts to be
discussed include: protagonist, antagonist, want versus need, elements of the
future, poetic justice, planting and payoff, catalyst, climax, and Aristotelian
terminology. PREREQUISITE(S): NONE
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By the end of the term
students will:
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- Critically analyze films focusing on the filmmakers' strategies for
crafting engaging, tension filled stories.
- Identify and develop an understanding of how characters are
constructed in film and what tools are utilized in writing to create a
bond between the protagonist and the audience.
- Demonstrate an understanding of multiple approaches to feature film
structure by studying numerous film theorists and incorporating these
techniques in the writing process.
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Learning Domain
Description:
DC222 Classic Hollywood Film Structure is included in the Liberal
Studies program as a course with credit in the Arts and Literature domain.
Courses in the Arts and Literature domain ask students to extend their
knowledge and experience of the arts by developing their critical and
reflective abilities. In these courses, students interpret and analyze
particular creative works, investigate the relations of form and meaning and
through critical and/or creative activity to come to experience art with
greater openness, insight, and enjoyment. These courses focus on works of
literature, art, theatre, or music as such, though the process of analysis may
also include social and cultural issues. Students who take course in this
domain choose three courses from such choices as literature, the visual arts,
media arts, music, and theater. No more than two courses can be chosen from one
department or program.
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Learning Outcomes:
1.????
Students
will be able to explain, in well-written prose, what a work of art is about
and/or how it was produced.
2.????
Students
will be able to comment on the relationship between form
and content in a work.
3.????
Students
will be able to assess the formal aspects of their subject and put those
qualities into words, using, when appropriate, specialized vocabulary employed
in class and readings.
4.????
Students will be able to contextualize a work of
art. They will be able to do so with respect to other works of art in terms of
defining its place within a broader style or genre. They will also be able to
contextualize a work of art in terms of contemporaneous aesthetic, social, or
political concerns, discussing how these might shape the work?s reception and
how that reception might differ amongst various peoples and historical periods.
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How learning Outcomes Will Be Met
One long paper and four
shorter assignments will assess and develop student learning across the
objectives above. Assignments will be drawn from the films screened in class,
course lectures, and the reading material posted online. Students will be
expected to watch additional films not screened in class. Four extra credit
projects will be made available throughout the quarter.
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Writing Expectations
Students will be expected to
complete a minimum of 5-7 pages of writing for this course.
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How Writing Expectations Will be Met
Assignment #2: A 3-act
structure breakdown of a selected film, with minute by minute plot elements,
identification of act breaks, the midpoint and the characters super-objective
or dramatic need.
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Assignment #4: A 6-8 page
paper analyzing a script and corresponding film to determine if the film is, or
is not, an ensemble film as outlined in class lectures and in course readings.
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Course Management:
This course is housed and
managed on D2L. There, you will find each week?s recorded lecture
(available after 5:30 PM on Tuesdays), the required reading material, most of
our assignments, and, as the semester progresses ? your current grade.
Also posted on D2L will be a weekly discussion forum for questions and thoughts
concerning the films, lectures, assignments and the course itself.
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The films screened in class,
as well as those which require individual viewing, are available on ColTube ? an online DePaul video player
available for Mac and PC.
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http://coltube.cdm.depaul.edu/ColTube/Home/
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Textbooks and printed
resources
All reading required for
this course will be provided via D2L.
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Software needed to complete assignments:
Word
processing program for written assignments.
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Laptops/Cell Phones:
Use of cell phones in the class is prohibited. Please turn your
phone off before entering class. Mistakes will happen (to me too), but repeated
failure to turn your phone off will result in a lowered grade for the class and
confiscation of the device during the class period.? NO TEXTING!? Laptops/ipads
are also not allowed in class unless you have a university
sanctioned reason for using one.
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Alterations:
The professor reserves the
right to alter the syllabus at any time. Students will be apprised of any and
all changes with clear instructions should they occur.
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Grading:
ASSIGNMENTS: There are five
assignments that will be posted on D2L.?
Late work will not be accepted.
Assignment #1 Quiz 18%
Assignment #2 Three Act
Structure Breakdown & Quiz 18%
Assignment #3 Quiz 18%
Assignment #4 Paper 26%
Assignment #5 Comprehensive
Quiz 20%
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A = 100-93 A- = 92-90
B+ = 89-88 B = 87-83 B- = 82-80
C+ = 79-78 C = 77-73 C- = 72-70
D+ = 69-68 D = 67-63 D- = 62-60
F = 59-0
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Standards for Achievement:
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Grade A:
Student performs in an outstanding way. Student exhibits achievement and
craftsmanship in all work. ?Student
exhibits commitment to expanding ideas, vocabulary and performance.
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Grade B:
Student performs beyond the requirement of the project. Student exhibits
above average progress and craftsmanship. ?Student exhibits above average interest
in expanding idea, vocabulary, and performance.
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Grade C:
Criteria of assignment is met, and all
requirements are fulfilled. Student shows average quality work and minimum time
and effort on projects. Student shows moderate interest.
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Grade D:
Student performance is uneven and below average. Requirements for
projects are only partially fulfilled. Minimal interest is shown and
attendance, participation and involvement are inadequate.
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Grade F
Student fails to meet minimum course requirements and shows no interest.
Levels of participation and craftsmanship are extremely poor. Student's
attendance is inadequate.
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Schedule:
Character and Three-Act Structure
Week 1:? 4/2
Course introduction, story
terms and concepts, clips
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Week 2: 4/9
Three Act Structure Lecture
One Flew Over the Cuckoo?s Nest
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ASSIGNMENT ONE DUE (on lectures/reading/scenes) BY 9:30PM ON SUNDAY 4/12???????????
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Week 3: 4/16
Breakdown of Cuckoo?s Nest
E.T.
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The Hero?s Journey
Week 4: 4/23
The Silence of the Lambs???????
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ASSIGNMENT TWO (on Zero Effect) DUE BY 9:30PM ON FRIDAY 4/26
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Week 5: 4/30
Wonderboys
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Ensemble
Week 6: 5/7
Safety Not Guaranteed
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ASSIGNMENT THREE (GLADIATOR) DUE BY 9:30PM ON SUNDAY 5/10
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Week 7: 5/14
The Philadelphia Story
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The Sequence Approach and Save the Cat
Week 8: 5/21
Sequence film TBD
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Alternative Narrative
Week 9: 5/28
Two For The Road
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ASSIGNMENT FOUR (Lars and the Real Girl) DUE BY 9:30PM ON
SUNDAY 5/31
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Week 10: 6/4
Alternative Narrative film TBD
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ASSIGNMENT FIVE (Comprehensive) DUE BY 9:30PM ON THURSDAY
6/11
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Course Policies (from the university)
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Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity
policy. More information can be found at?http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
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Online Course Evaluations
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback
regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the
instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet
the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They
are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the
highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and
administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check
if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal,
students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive
reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation
online in?CampusConnect.
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Academic Policies
All students are required to
manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for
enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the?University
Academic Calendar.??Information
on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at:? cdm.depaul.edu/enrollment.
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Excused Absence
In order to petition for an excused absence, students who miss class
due to illness or significant personal circumstances should complete the
Absence Notification process through the Dean of Students office.?? The form can be accessed at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/dos/forms.html.?? Students
must submit supporting documentation alongside the form.? The professor reserves the sole right
whether to offer an excused absence and/or academic accommodations for an
excused absence.
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Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact
of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their
specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.? To ensure that you receive the most
appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early
as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and
make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities
(CSD) at: csd@depaul.edu.
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296