FILM 2B  -   HISTORY OF CINEMA 1960-PRESENT   (#59207)

Reedley College – Spring 2017
Ryan LaSalle – 2-3:15 pm –  TTH   FRM 1
Contacts: ryan.lasalle@reedleycollege.edu   559-638-0300 (ext. 3125)
Office: Annex 2   Office hours: TBA    Final: Thursday, May 18, 2-3:50 pm
    
A journey back in time…

…through the decades that paved the way for modern movies. Film 2B is a class that informs students on the history of movies…where and how they started with particular attention to how technological advancements shaped the medium over time. It will cover the key people and events that impacted cinema through a filmmaking industry that is a conflation of art and business. The class will also analyze how movies act as both an influence and reflection of the society (and history) from which they were made. 

Upon successfully completing this class, a student should be able to identify and analyze significant moments in the development of film technology, the evolution of genres (with respect to a film’s historical and social context), the fundamental elements of film form and style as well as the development of key filmic techniques and also report (in chronological order) the main currents of early film history. 

Be prepared to:

Come to class. Watch films. Stay awake. Take notes. Ask questions. Do research. Write papers. Take tests. Show interest (even if you have to fake it). Think critically. Participate in discussions.

Always have your:   *notebook    *writing instrument 
Textbooks: A Short History of the Movies, 11th edition, Gerald Mast and Bruce F. Kawin

Policies:  2 absences allowed without penalty. Subsequent absences result in a loss of participation points. Absences totaling more than two weeks (four classes) within the first 9 weeks of class may cause the student to be dropped from the class. Late work will be accepted for partial credit with instructor’s approval (5% deduction for each class day late). Note: this does not apply to the final project and its components or the final test (no late final papers or late final tests allowed). If a test is not taken on the date of the test, a make-up test may be arranged at the discretion of the instructor and may be subject to a late penalty.

Tardiness should be avoided but in the rare event of coming to class late, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the roll has been updated. In the event of plagiarism (see Schedule of Courses for more information) the student will fail the assignment or the class at the discretion of the instructor (depending on the nature and severity of the offense).

Grading:  Grading will be based on a point system. 
90%A 80%B 70%C 60%D 50%F (of total points available in class)	
(1)       1. Midterm essay 			                  10 
(1)       2. Final essay		 		                  20
             (6-8)   3. Quizzes/tests					     5-20
                          (includes a comprehensive final test)	
	(1-3)   4. Short essays					     4-5
                        5. Homework assignments			     1-2 
                        6. Participation                                                           5		

Final drop date: Mar. 10, 2017
*instructor reserves the right to make changes in this syllabus as deemed necessary or appropriate.
*Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including alternate media requests, please notify me immediately. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.