DC 205 Foundations of Cinema for Non-Majors
Summary
This course will examine the craft, technology, and aesthetic principles of media production. Drawing heavily on a wide array of historical examples, the course will examine the many expressive strategies potentially usable in the creation of moving image art forms: the importance of story and controlling ideas, storytelling with images, the basics of composition and editing, and an examination of narrative, documentary, and experimental approaches. In addition to analyzing the works of others, students will also produce their own projects thus, putting theory into practice.
Texts
NONE. Handouts as distributed by instructor.
Grading
Participation - 20%
Project I - 15%
Mid-term Exam - 20%
Film Analysis - 15%
Final Project - 30%
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Establish a base of knowledge for future expansion of cinematic study
2. Expose students to key works in Cinema History
3. Expose students to basic camerawork, editing, storytelling and other filmmaking techniques
Course Policies
Attendance
Each weeks class consists of lectures, screenings, and performances; attendance is mandatory. All absences will result in a reduction of the participation grade.
Projects & Assignments
Projects will be assigned throughout the course. Please be prepared to screen or turn in the projects at the beginning of class on the date they are due.
Late Assignments
Late assignments will not be accepted without prior consent of the instructor. If a student anticipates missing a class, the assignment must be delivered to the instructor before the start of the class in which it is due. All absences without university approved documentation will be considered unexcused.
Digital Cinema Cage
Please be advised of the DC cage rules and hours. Check-ins occur between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and check-outs take place from 2:00PM - 9:30PM.
Grade Penalties and Fines for Late Return of Equipment
DO NOT RETURN EQUIPMENT LATE. It impacts fellow students and DC classes. Failure to pay fines within seven days will result in a grade deduction equal to 5% of the final grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism on assignments or cheating on tests are serious offenses and earn the student a failing grade for the class. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you are in doubt about the definitions of plagiarism, consult your student handbook.
Content Changes
Depending on time factors, the assignments projected for the term may require alteration or rescheduling.
Sexual Harassment
The policy as specified in the student handbook will be adhered to in this class.
NO LAPTOPS or TABLETS.
COURSE INTRODUCTION
90-MINUTE FILM HISTORY
STORY, SCREENPLAY AND DRAMATIC STRUCTURE
MIS-EN-SCENE
PROJECT I and MIDTERM ASSIGNED
CINEMATOGRAPHY BASICS
EDITING BASICS
PRODUCTION: ON SET ROLES
SCREEN: CHINATOWN
MID-TERM EXAM
SCREEN PROJECT I
GENRE - INTRODUCTION
NARRATIVE FILMMAKING - LECTURE AND SCREENING: AMERICAN BEAUTY
ASSIGN - Narrative Analysis
CINEMATOGRAPHY PART 2: TECHNICAL INTRO
SCREENING: THE GODFATHER
SOUND
GENRE - SHORT FORM VIDEO
ASSIGN - FINAL PROJECT
PRODUCTION DESIGN
SCREEN: PAN'S LABYRINTH
VISUAL EFFECTS
SCREENING: TBD
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
FINAL PROJECT DUE in FINALS WEEK
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.
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.
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.
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 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