University of North Alabama

College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Communication and Theatre


Course Syllabus
Com/Th 300:

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 		History of Film

3 semester hours

The study of both the silent and sound film development periods until 1960 and the study of filmographies preparing for Lindsey/UNA Film Festival participation, April 22-24, 2005.

Spring 2005

Thursday night, 6:00 -- 8:30 pm

Avon Edward Foote, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Room 108

Office: (256) 765-4489
E-mail: aefoote@una.edu
FAX: (256) 765-4839

Office Hours: Monday 10-1, Tuesday 12-2, Wednesday 10-1, Thursday 3:15-4:15, Friday 10-11. And by appointment when necessary

Phillips, William H.,   film: AN INTRODUCTION, 3RD edition (Bedford/St. Martins, copyright 2005).

The student is expected to complete the following objectives:
  • To learn about the early inventors and technique pioneers who made possible the earliest experiments in filmmaking and film exhibition for the silent and sound eras.
  • To be able to list the contributions of Armat, Edison, Porter, Chaplin, Griffith, DeForest, the Warners, Riefenstahl, Welles and Selznick.
  • To be able to recount the significant film events and releases by decade between 1890 and 1960.
  • To know the names of the major studios and the reputations of each.
  • To be enriched by watching some of the greatest films of all times.
    •

    Assigned readings, lectures, viewing of important historical films, documentaries about films, optional research paper, reports on current films showing in Shoals, festival attendance -- all learning activities under the course management and supervision of the instructor.

    The following are methods by which the course objectives will be evaluated:

    Two exams will contribute 40% each to the final grade. To complete 100% credit, the 20% remaining requires festival attendance on campus and downtown and follow-up class discussion with a written report on the event. With prior approval of the professor, students that unable to attend the Festival for most of the sessions and screenings will be required to substitute a research paper.

    A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=<60

    Grading Considerations: If you write the Research Paper to count 20%: A paper may be completed by the end of week 15 of at least 8 pages including references and footnotes to count 20 per cent of final grade. The topic must be approved by week 10 after being submitted to the professor in writing. Students must follow an appropriate style manual for writing and editing.

    Attendance: Required by University policy. After four weeks of absences your grade will be become an "F" as announced in University literature.

    January 17 --- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    February 18 --- University closed for Winter break
    March 4 --- Middle of term
    March 25 --- University closed
    March 28 to April 3 --- Spring Holidays
    April 22-24 --- Lindsey/UNA Film Festival
    April 22 --- Last day to drop a class
    May 5 --- Study Day
    May 6 to 12 --- Semester Exams

    MEETS 1 AND 2: Early Technological and Narrative Experimentation. Discuss Edison’s Role. View "Before the Nickelodeon" and early Mutoscope productions. Read Chapter 1, "Mise en Scene".

    MEETS 3 AND 4: Advances of D. W. Griffith and Friends. View "Birth of a Nation" and excerpts from "Intolerance". Read Chapters 2, "Cinematography".

    MEETS 5 AND 6: Early Films of Russia, Germany, and France. View very early films of Russia under the Czar, and "Potemkin". Compare Soviet and German filmmaking. Read Chapter 3, "Editing".

    MEET 7: Film viewings preparing for Lindsey/UNA Film Festival participation.

    MEET 8: Take Midterm Exam. More Festival related viewing. Read Chapter 4, "Sound".

    MEET 9: Sound arrives. Radio becomes a Keen Competition and Hollywood Debuts Sound to Regain its Position with the Public. Several examples from early sound period are used. Read Chapter 9, "Understanding Films through Contexts".

    MEETS 10 AND 11: RKO’S Contribution to Special Effects and Sound Improvement. View "King Kong". The problems of Docu-drama and "Disneyfication". Read Chotank.com/disneyrom.html, "Disney Documents PLUS".

    MEET 12: The Documentary Tradition. View "Nanook Revisited" , "The River" and other examples from early period. Read Chapter 5, "Sources for the Fictional Film".

    MEETS 13 AND 14: The World’s Greatest Film and Film Noir. View "Citizen Kane" and excerpt from "The Hucksters." Read Chapter 6, "Aspects of the Fictional Film".

    MEET 15: International Films and Wrap-Up. View "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by French producer/director. Read Chapter 10, "Thinking about Films".

     

    University of North Alabama Policy regarding student disabilities is on separate web page.

    17 January 2005