ENG 317/FST 317, Fall 2010
Writing
about Film
TR 3:30-4:45
Office Hours: T 12:30-2, R 1-2, 5:30-6:30
Course
Description
In this course we will begin with the basics of film language/terminology and
then move through several different genres of film writing: reviews and contextual/critical
essays. We will discuss the
mechanics of and practice writing in most of these formats, but there will be
a particular focus on the critical/analytical essay and film review. While much
of this class concerns itself with film studies and history, it is at heart
(and in practice) a writing course, and therefore a writing intensive course.
Required
Texts
• All course readings and most films are available through the course syllabus. The remaining films are available through Netflix 'Watch it Instantly' function (through this semester). If you don't have a Netflix account, you can sign up for a free two week trial and after that it is $8.99 a month. Given that I'm not requiring you to buy any books for this class, it seems reasonable to expect you to either sign up for Netflix (the cheapest option), or buy the films on dvd. There is only one inflexible rule here: you must watch the film and complete the reading by the date it is listed on the syllabus. Seriously.
Supplies
• Notepad and writing implement to take notes in class. I expect you to take notes in class (it helps you remember things, and I'll be calling on you occasionally).
• A printed copy of the day's readings (with notes), or a digital copy on a laptop/device.
• USB key on which you keep every thing you write for class (buy two and keep one at home, one in your bag).
NB: Always save repeatedly and backup regularly as important documents have
a tendency to disappear and crashes/losses are not an acceptable excuse for
late/missing assignments.
Class Requirements
and Assignments
• You will be required to submit eight responses, write four
essays, participate in class discussions,
and attend class regularly (see attendance policy below).
• I do not guarantee acceptance of late assignments without notification before the due date. When accepted, all late assignments will be reduced by one-third of a grade per class day.
(Absence from class on the date due (as well as computer problems) does not
excuse the lateness of your assignment.)
•
Regarding the above requirements: no exceptions without my verbal/written consent.
Responses
This semester you will be required to post 500-750 word responses to prompts from the syllabus. I expect the tone of these to be professional, critical, and curious—avoid boring taste/value judgments (“I didn’t like it,” “This was awesome”)--try to center your discussion on tangible and specific aspects of the film/scene/article
you are discussing, not on just your emotional ("gut") responses.
Breakdown
of Grades
Four essays: (60%), Responses and Participation: includes group work, quizzes, class participation, attendance, and general
attitude (40%)
In-Class Grades: A 95; A/A- 93; A- 91; A-/B+ 89; B+ 88; B+/B 87; B 85; B/B- 83; B- 81; B-/C+ 79
C+ 78; C+/C 77; C 75; C/C- 73; C- 71; C-/D+ 69; D+ 68; D+/D 67; D 65; D/D- 63; D- 60; F 59 -
Final Reporting Grades: A 94-; A- 90-93; B+ 87-89; B 84-86; B- 80-83; C+ 77-79; C 74-76; C- 70-73; D+ 67-69; D 64-66; D- 60-63; F 59 -
What the Grades Mean*
A: An A paper is a superior one that not only addresses the assignment carefully and thoughtfully, but also goes beyond it to say something confident and original. It is also marked by excellent stylistic choices: the introduction is engaging, the transitions are artful, the sentence structures are varied and mature, the diction is appropriate and highly specific, and the tone appropriately addresses the audience. MLA format is followed accurately. Overall, by using college-level writing and critical thinking skills, the A paper reflects a confident and insicive voice participating in a larger conversation.
B: A B paper is a good paper that addresses the assignment carefully and thoughtfully. It is significantly more than competent, almost free of mechanical errors, gives the reader substantial information both in quality and interest, and uses satisfactory MLA format when needed. College-level writing, and thinking will be evident; specific points are appropriately arranged, well-developed, and unified around a clear thesis. The paper may contain a few minor mechanical errors or awkward spots. In addition, the B paper may also display: an active and engaging introduction, a developed conclusion that closes the paper thematically by relating back to the beginning, smooth paragraph transitions, and varied sentence patterns. Overall, the B paper exceeds the minimum paper requirements.
C: A C paper is a satisfactory paper that addresses the assignment acceptably. It is generally competent and readable despite mechanical errors, has reasonable organization and development, uses a thesis statement effectively, and uses MLA format when needed. This paper may contain minor errors in style, tone, mechanics, or organization; or this paper may be a B paper except for a major flaw. In addition, the C paper may have an uninteresting opening paragraph, truncated conclusion, missing or sloppy paragraph transitions, or monotonous sentence patterns. Overall, the C paper does an average job at meeting the assignment criteria.
D: A D paper is a below-average paper that rudimentarily addresses the assignment. The paper's organization may be neither clear nor effective, while sentences maybe be awkward, ambiguous, and marred by many mechanical errors. Evidence of careful proofreading cannot be found, and although MLA may have been attempted, the format is not acceptable. Overall, the D paper lacks a thesis statement, and it gives the impression of having been conceived and written in haste.
F: An F paper is an unacceptable paper on the grounds that its treatment of the subject is superficial, it lacks discernible organization, and its prose is garbled and hampered by major stylistic problems. This paper may be confusing or characterized by unacceptable organization, mechanical errors, factual errors, or overall treatment of the assignment. No attempt at MLA format has been made. Overall, the F paper falls far short of what is acceptable college writing.
* These descriptions were adapted from Prof. Mike McGuire's composition syllabus at http://www.writing101.net/student_resources/COM101-021-syllabus-FA04.pdf.
Attendance
You are allowed to miss two classes before you are penalized. Use these wisely
(i.e. save them for when you are really sick). After three missed classes, your
participation grade drops a level. After four missed classes, your final grade
drops by a third. After five missed classes, you will receive a failing grade.
The class depends upon your presence and you CAN and WILL fail if you do not show up.
• If you miss more than one class, you must contact me in person; otherwise, I will assume you have dropped the class.
• Do not schedule meetings with your advisor, doctor’s appointments
or anything else during this class time. (Having a doctor’s note does
not gain you a “free” absence.)
• Don’t leave class early.
Lateness
Don't be late. I lock the door (and they count as partial absences).
Writer’s
Block
Feel free to stop in during office hours for any reason; as paper time draws
near, you’ll probably want to schedule an appointment if you’re
in need of additional feedback. Please do not wait until the last minute
to do so; I cannot (as you can probably imagine) schedule time for very many
students two days before the deadline. If you need additional assistance on
your paper draft beyond this meeting, please seek out the Writing Place; the
staff are there to provide feedback on papers. (Please keep in mind, however,
that merely having someone on the staff read your paper does not ensure you
a higher grade. http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/writingplace/ 962-7155 (appointments
are recommended) Hours: M-Th 10-9; Friday 10-3; Sun 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of filmic texts within an historical, cultural, and theoretical context.
2. Students will be able to critically analyze filmic texts.
3. Students will be able to find, evaluate, and appropriately cite sources.
4. Students will be able to construct and present evidence to support a clear, logical, and complex argument.
Academic Integrity
All students enrolled at UNCW are subject to the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code (hereafter referred to as the Honor Code), which is intended to help every member of the UNCW community appreciate the high value placed on academic integrity and the means that will be employed to ensure its preservation. Students are expected to perpetuate a campus culture where each student does his or her own work while relying on appropriate resources for assistance. In such a climate students enjoy a special trust that they are members of a unique community where one’s thoughts and words are attributed correctly and with proper ownership, and where there is little need for systems to sanction those who cheat. As such, all UNCW students shall commit to the principles and spirit of the Honor Code by adhering to the following pledge:
“As a student at The University of North Carolina Wilmington, I am committed to honesty and truthfulness in academic inquiry and in the pursuit of knowledge.
I pledge to uphold and promote the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code.”
Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Please be especially familiar with UNCW’s position on plagiarism as outlined in the Honor Code:
Plagiarism is the copying of language, phrasing, structure, or specific ideas of another and presenting any of these as one’s own work, including information found on the Internet. Common examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to:
• Reproducing someone else’s work without quotation marks or proper attribution and submitting it as your own.
• Paraphrasing or summarizing another’s work without attribution or acknowledgement of the source and submitting it as your own.
• Deliberate attribution to a source from which the referenced material was not in fact derived.
• Failing to cite a source for ideas or information.
You’ll find the Honor Code posted at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/doso/
Campus Respect Compact
UNCW has recently instituted a Respect Compact to affirm our commitment to a civil community, characterized by mutual respect. That Compact will soon be affixed to the wall of each classroom and can be accessed at: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/pdc/documents/SeahawkRespectCompact.pdf
Individuals wanting more information about the respect Compact can contact the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.
Students with Disabilities
Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you require accommodation for test-taking or for other assignments, please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test or due date.
Violence and Harassment
UNCW practices a zero tolerance policy for any kind of violent or harassing behavior. If you are experiencing an emergency of this type contact the police at 911 or UNCW CARE at 962-2273. Resources for individuals concerned with a violent or harassing situation can be located at http://www.uncw.edu/wsrc/crisis.html.
Use of Electronic Devices
Please disable all of your phone's more vocal functions: rings, songs, beats, vibrations... An easy way to accomplish this is to turn it off. Either way, just make them quiet as a tomb (and don't use them to text during classtime). Laptops may be used in this class, provided their use is confined to class activities and related research.