KENWOOD ACADEMY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT



Kenwood Academy English Department

Film Studies

Instructor: Ms. B. A. Bennett

Credit: 1 Credit Hour

Course Description: Film Studies is a Junior- and Senior-level elective course designed to increase students' awareness of their movie viewing habits and to increase their knowledge of movie history and technology as well as to develop students' practical ability to recognize, reflect on, and communicate film's basic narrative and technical elements. Films are not simply "watched"; they are studied.

Course Objectives: Students learn to critically view and appreciate the technical and historical development of the world's cinema, different movie genres, and the director as "auteur." The course will focus on developing the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze film as an artistic and entertainment media.

Illinois Standards: The following standards as mandated by the Illinois Board of Education are addressed. A detailed breakdown of these standards is available online.

College Readiness Standards: See for a complete breakdown of English, Writing, and Reading CRS.

Standards: This class addresses the standards as mandated by the Illinois Board of Education.

Class Expectations: Students will come to class each day on time, with IDs clearly visible, and with required materials--paper, pen, handouts, course folder--ready to work productively. Students will treat everyone with respect. Students will follow all school and CPS Board rules.

Grading Criteria: Students earn points for every classroom and homework assignment, project, quiz, and test in addition to points for classroom participation, punctuality, and attendance.

Film Studies Grading Percentages Per Quarter

|Classwork and Participation |50% |

|Film Journals |20% |

|Project |15% |

|Quarterly Exams |10% |

|Quizzes |05% |

All late work receives a -25 point or 25% penalty.

Late work will only be accepted until the second-to-the-last week of the quarter.

Grading Scale: 90 > A; 80 > B; 70> C; 60> D; 59 < F. Please note that all late work receives a -25-point penalty. Late work will only be accepted until the second-to-the-last week of the quarter.

Materials: Film: An Introduction (Bedford/St. Martin's), handouts

Homework: Students will have regular homework and class assignments. It is crucial to complete all class- and homework assignments as they are necessary for class activities, quizzes, and thorough critical analysis. Assignments MUST BE submitted typewritten, using a 12-point font, double-spaced, and appropriate heading.

Late Work: Late work will be accepted up to the second-to-the-last week of any quarter. All late work will be penalized with a 25% or 25 point reduction in grade.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend class everyday. In the event of an excused absence, students must follow school procedures and are responsible for making up any missed assignments. Being absent does not excuse one from an assignment even if the absence is excused. Arrangements must be made to make up missed exams outside of class time. Unexcused absences and chronic tardiness will negatively impact grades according to the CPS promotion policy. Please note that a large percentage of the class consists of film viewings in class. There is NO practical provision for making up class viewings at school. Students are responsible for viewing "missed" films on their own; the teacher will not provide tapes or DVDs. (Most films are readily available at the public library or at rental outlets. All film-viewing worksheets, vocabulary sheets, and journal/project requirements are available online.)

Honor Code: This is a learning environment. Students must practice common courtesy in order to ensure the best experience for everyone who wants to learn. Students are expected to become "critical observers" of film; students may not watch films in class as they might in the privacy of their living rooms.

How to Study for This Course: Students must familiarize themselves with all vocabulary sheets and apply this knowledge to their critical viewings of films. Students must critically observe at least one movie per week and write up a Movie Journal (see form). Students must thoroughly read and take notes on all handouts. Students must be prepared to work in class—that means, notebook, paper, pen, handouts—and take all notes from board. Students must plan, storyboard, film, and edit one film project per quarter which should take approximately eight to nine weeks preparation. Students must review all handouts, vocabulary sheets, and class notes for quizzes and tests.

Office Hours: Available by appointment during 3rd and 8th periods.

Contact Information: E-mail: babennett@cps.edu; English Office Phone: (773) 535-1380. Please note that all assignments and grades are available at Gradebook ().

First Quarter: September 5 - November 11

Holidays: September 5, October 10, November 11

No School for Students: September 23, October 28, November 10

Techniques of Filmmaking

Introduction to Story, Plot, Narrative; Introduction to Screenwriting; Introduction to Cinematography; Computer Generated Images (CGI) and Editing; Editing II; Editing III; Editing and Sound (Post Production; Documentary.

Film Viewings in Class

Source Code (2011), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Schindler's List (1993), Psycho (1960), Run, Lola, Run (1998), Catfish (2010), The Fall (2006); Excerpts from: Running Scared, The Bourne Identity.

Second Quarter: November 14 - January 27

Report Card Pick-up: November 17

Holidays: November 24, 25, January 16 (Winter Break December 26 - January 6)

No School for Students: November 18, January 27

History of Filmmaking and the Mini-Genre

Pre-1920s/Silent; 1920s-1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000+

Film Viewings in Class

The Great Train Robbery (1903), City Lights (1931), Casablanca (1942), Singin' in the Rain 1952), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Platoon (1986), One Day in September (1999), Bowling for Columbine (2002), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004); Excerpts from A Century of Black Cinema, A Trip to the Moon, Thomas A. Edison’s Shorts, Imitation of Life.

Third Quarter: January 30 - April 13

Holidays: February 13, February 20, March 5, Spring Break (April 2-6)

No School for Students: February 3, April 13

Genre Study: re: The Gangster Film

History of the Gangster Film; Characteristics of a Gangster Film; B/W v. Color; The Depiction of Violence; Film Noir, The Gangster Film’s Effect on Mainstream Culture; The International Gangster Film.

Film Viewings in Class

Scarface (1932), Scarface (1983), The Maltese Falcon (1941), Bonnie & Clyde (1967), Godfather (1972), Godfather II (1974), Goodfellas (1990), Menace II Society (1993), Tsotsi (2005); Excerpts from Lucky Number Slevin.

Fourth Quarter: April 16 - June 15

Report Card Pick-up: April 19

Holidays: May 28

No School for Students: June 14

The Film Director as Auteur: Antoine Fuqua

Analysis of Lee and His Work: Lighting, Camera Distance, Camera Movement, Editing Style (Fast v. Slow cutting), Use of Dialogue, Use of Music, Film Genre, Mise-en-Scene, Plot Structure, Plot Conflicts and Resolutions, Main Character and Character Development, Symbolism, and Major Meanings.

Film Viewings in Class

School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), Malcolm X (1992), Crooklyn (1994), Get on the Bus (1996), 4 Little Girls (1997), Bamboozled (2000), Miracle at St. Anna's (2009); Excerpts from Inception, 127 Hours, The Help.

KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM R-RATED MOVIES

Teacher Name: B.A. Bennett Date this form given to student: 9-07-2011 Class: Film Studies

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I would like to show the following movies: Source Code (2011), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Schindler's List (1993), Psycho (1960), Run, Lola, Run (1998), Catfish (2010), The Fall (2006); Excerpts from: Running Scared, The Bourne Identity; The Great Train Robbery (1903), City Lights (1931), Casablanca (1942), Singin' in the Rain 1952), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Platoon (1986), One Day in September (1999), Bowling for Columbine (2002), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004); Excerpts from A Century of Black Cinema, A Trip to the Moon, Thomas A. Edison’s Shorts, Imitation of Life; Scarface (1932), Scarface (1983), The Maltese Falcon (1941), Bonnie & Clyde (1967), Godfather (1972), Godfather II (1974), Goodfellas (1990), Menace II Society (1993), Tsotsi (2005); Excerpts from Lucky Number Slevin; School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), Malcolm X (1992), Crooklyn (1994), Get on the Bus (1996), 4 Little Girls (1997), Bamboozled (2000), Miracle at St. Anna's (2009); Excerpts from Inception, 127 Hours, The Help

in my class beginning on 09-07-2011. I want to assure you that movies rated R connect to the curriculum and to the content that we have been learning about in class. However, some movies*have been rated “R” MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America). For a more detailed description of movie ratings, you may visit . A brief description follows: R — Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures. If you have any questions about the content of this movie or the connection to the curriculum, you may call or email me.

Phone number: (773)535-1380 Email address: babennett@cps.edu

I give permission for my student, _____________________________________________________, to view the above named movie in class. In addition, I have read my student’s syllabus for Film Studies and understand the requirements and expectations of this class.

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________________________

Date: __________________

In order to encourage communication, please include complete contact information below.

Home phone ____________________________________

Cell phone ______________________________________

Daytime phone number _____________________________

Email ________________________________________________________________________

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