ClassInfo

DC 470 Advanced Topics in Cinema

Patrick Wimp

Spring 2017-2018
Class number: 35774
Section number: 901
W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
14EAS 00214 Loop Campus

Summary

DC 470 Black Voices in Modern Cinema

COURSE OVERVIEW:
An in-depth examination of successful works from modern black filmmakers. The course will explore themes, techniques, and stylistic influences that appear across multiple films in each director's body of work. Assignments will include written analyses, in-class discussions, and creation of a visual bible that helps track the creative voice and evolution of filmmakers across multiple films.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To understand the cinematic techniques utilized by modern black filmmakers.

To analyze recurring themes and stylistic expressions that these filmmakers explore across their body of work.

To discover the cultural, historical, and filmic, influences that appear in the individual works.

To track the visual style of each director across multiple films.

Explore the universality of character, plot, and theme in select works



Texts

Playing in the Dark by Toni Morrison


Grading

GRADING

Grades will be given for each assignment and late work will not be accepted.

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


Prerequisites

NONE


ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

PAPERS

Style and Theme -Steve McQueen
Female Voice - Ava Duvernay
Black Coming of Age - Rick Famuyiwa and Barry Jenkins
Black and Queer Experience in TV - Lena Waithe
Indie to Blockbuster - Ryan Coogler

FINAL PROJECT

Visual Bible - Choose one of the directors discussed in class (or another approved director), and track their visual storytelling across at least 3 films.

Detailed instructions for each assignment will be provided as they are assigned.


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

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:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296