History of Film and Animation-ART150
Northern Virginia Community College
Manassas Campus
Spring 2002

Instructor:  Paul Awad
Office:  MC231
(804) 782-0181 (Richmond Office)
(703) 257-6682 (Dept. office)
(703) 257-6551 (fax)
cain41150@erols.com

Course Description:

This course exposes the student to the rich history of film and animation from the invention of the zoetrope and kinetoscope through the rise of the moving picture industry and the development of the first animated films to present-day television.  Chronicles the impact of the moving image in the 20th century.  Discusses the design and concept of influential works as well as the relationship between these earlier forms of moving graphics and today’s video technology.

Course Objectives:

1.  to understand and identify the major milestones of film and animation 
     history
2.  to compare the methodology and techniques of various film works
3.  to analyze the effectiveness of  film and animation works as art, 
     entertainment, information, and persuasion pieces
4.  to develop critical thinking skills necessary to understanding and 
     appreciating film and animation works

Required Texts:

Cook, David A.  (1996).   A History of Narrative Film, third edition.  New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
 
 

Course Requirements:

Attendance

Students must attend class.  Responsible participation in class discussions and activities is required.  All absences and tardies will be recorded.  An absence will result in a deduction of five points (per absence) from your Attendance/Participation grade.  You must be present the entire class period in order to receive full participation points for that day.  Students may avoid having a deduction for tardies of five minutes or less by giving a short, impromptu analysis of a movie by summarizing its plots, techniques, strengths and/or weaknesses, etc.

Absences are excused in emergency situations only and at the discretion of the instructor.  If you have an emergency or illness, you must notify the instructor the day prior to the class you will miss.  You will still receive a five point deduction from your attendance/participation grade, but extenuating circumstances will be noted during final computation of your grade at the end of the course.

Assignments

Students must always be prepared for a class assignment on the scheduled day.  Written assignments completed one class late only will result in the automatic lowering of the grade of the assignment by one letter grade.  Assignments that are late beyond one class period will receive a grade of F. Assigned readings need to be completed on the dates specified as much class discussion and activity is based upon such reading.  A quiz on the assigned reading will be given at the beginning of class the day the reading material is due.  If you are absent and miss a quiz you will receive a “0” on that quiz.  Quizzes cannot be made up.

Participation

Students will participate through active involvement in class discussion and activities; presentations; and film analyses.

Other Policies:

Americans With Disabilities Act

Any student with special instructional needs due to a learning disability, medical condition, etc. must meet with the instructor the first week of class or within one week of diagnosis so that reasonable accommodations may be made.  You may also wish to contact the campus counseling center.

Plagiarism/Cheating

Students are responsible for developing the content of their assignments.  Outside sources are often utilized in completion of assignments.  These sources should be properly documented with references, quotes, etc.  Any academic dishonesty will result in a course grade of F.

Classroom Behavior

Students will demonstrate appropriate behavior for a college classroom.  Disruptive behavior includes any comment or action that detracts from or interferes with the teaching/learning environment.  This includes talking while the instructor or other students are speaking.  Electronic devices (beepers, cell phones, digital watches, walkmans, etc.) should be turned off prior to the start of class.  Students who fail to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner will be asked to leave the class.

Inclement Weather

If class is cancelled due to inclement weather, students should be prepared for the missed class and the next class assignments for the following meeting.  Please note that this is an evening class.  You should listen to your local radio or television stations for announcements of evening classes being cancelled.

Evacuation

If an evacuation of the building is necessary during the class session, please take your belongings with you and proceed quickly and safely out of the building.  Students should be aware of the room evacuation plan that is posted on the wall next to the door.

Evaluation

A student’s course grade will consist of the following assignments and weights:

Assignment    Weight
Quizzes    25%
Film Analyses   10%
Presentation    25%
Attendance/Participation  40%

Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89  B
70-79  C
60-69  D
0-59  F

Office Hours:

The instructor will be available before/after class and by appointment.

Course Outline:

DATE  TOPIC    ASSIGNED READING

Week 1  Introduction
(1/16)   Introductory Activity

Week 2  Origins     Chps. 1 & 2
(1/23)   International Expansion

Week 3  D.W. Griffith & Development of Chps. 3 & 4
(1/30)    Narrative Form
   German Cinema of Weimar Period

Week 4  Soviet Silent Cinema & Montage Chps. 5 & 6
(2/6)   Hollywood in the 20’s

Week 5  Coming of Sound & Color  Chps. 7 & 8
(2/13)   Sound Film & American Studio System

Week 6  Orson Welles & Modern Sound Film Chp. 10
(2/20)    

Week 7  Wartime & Postwar Cinema:  Chp. 11
(2/27)    Italy & the US

Week 8  Hollywood, 1952-1965   Chp. 12
(3/6)  

Week 9  French New Wave    Chp. 13
(3/20)  
    
Week 10  Wind from the East:  Japan,  Chp. 18
(3/27)    India, & China
 
Week 11  Hollywood, 1960’s & 1970’s  Chp. 20
(4/3)  
 
Week 12  Hollywood, ‘60’s-‘70’s (cont)
(4/10) 

Week 13  Hollywood, 1980’s-1990’s
(4/17)   

Week 14  PRESENTATIONS
(4/24)  

Week 15  PRESENTATIONS
(5/1)   
 

NOTE:  This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.  Any modifications in topics, assignments or dates will be announced in class.