Arkansas State University

College of Communications

Department of Radio-Television

RTV 3303, History of Moving Images/Narrative Motion Pictures

Spring 2010

Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Gary W. Jones,

Office: Radio Office 141

Office Hours: Thursdays by APPT.

Tel. 501.766.9493

Send e-mails to gary@jonesfilmvideo.com

Website: http://asctp.org/RTV3303.htm

I. Course Description: Prerequisite course for students interested in producing feature-length, narrative motion pictures. Explores oral, written, live theater, and still photography storytelling techniques as related to the development of narrative features.

II. Cognitive Objectives to be mastered:

Upon the conclusion of this course, the student should:

* Be familiar with the world history of narrative motion pictures.

* Be familiar with the basic theories, vocabulary, and methods of narrative motion picture production.

* Develop an ability to effectively describe (using the proper terms) and interpret the strengths and weakness of theatrical feature film.

* Develop a deeper, richer appreciation for the power and challenges of using moving images to tell fictional stories.

Performance Standards to be met:

· Participate in the discussion of film history after film viewings and lectures.

· Write two critiques of narrative motion pictures.

III. Text: Optional

Cook, David A. A History of Narrative Film, Third Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 1996.

Note: This textbook is currently out-of-print but readily available at reasonable used prices from such booksellers as Amazon.com and Abebooks.com. It has been suggested purely as an additional

resource to help further your understanding of class topics.

Other recommended books referencing the history of narrative cinema include:

Corey, Melinda and George Ochoa, eds. The American Film Institute Desk Reference, New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2002.

Gomery, Douglas. Movie History: A Survey, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1991.

Rosenbaum, Jonathan. Essential Cinema: On the Necessity of Film Canons, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.

Schneider, Steven Jay, ed. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, Hauppauge, New York: Barron’s, 2008.

Films Viewing: Required

Although each required-viewing film has a place in cinema history in its own right (and titles are subject to change), each class screening is also a “jumping off” point for discussion of a different era or genre.

Class 1: The Great Train Robbery (1903) (Bronco Billy Anderson—born Max Aronson in Pine Bluff.)

Class 2: Birth of a Nation (1915)

Class 3: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1927) (First “Hollywood” production to be filmed in Arkansas.)

Class 4: The Jazz Singer (1927)

Class 5: Freaks (1932)

Class 6: Modern Times (1936)

Class 7: Citizen Kane (1941)

Class 8: Casablanca (1942)

Class 9: High Noon (1952)

Class 10: The Apartment (1960)

Class 11: Boxcar Bertha (1972) (Martin Scorsese’s 2nd feature. Filmed in Camden and Reader, AR.)

Class 12: Blue Velvet (1986)

Class 13: L.A. Confidential (1997)

Class 14: No Country for Old Men (2007)

Class 15: Final discussion of student film critiques and Final Exam

IV. Course Requirements

Tests: There will be two written tests. These will be the midterm and final. Each test will cover a set of lectures and the post-viewing discussions of viewed films except the final, which is comprehensive.

Written Criticism: Each student will produce a 500-word critique of at least one of the motion pictures screened in class. A second 500-word critique can be about any narrative film chose by the student.

V. Attendance:

Class participation counts for 30% in your grade in this course.

VI Makeup for Student Athletes:

Student athletes will have one-week from the date of their return to class, from a university related activity, to make up any work missed. Work not made up during this week period will receive a zero ("0"). It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor regarding the completion of make up work, within the specified period.

VII Grading:

Grades are earned—not “given”. Your final grade will depend strictly on how much work you put into your class participation, test scores, and written critiques. To earn an "A" grade, you must consistently produce excellent work. For a "B" you must consistently produce good work. A "C" will be earned for satisfactory work, a "D" for poor but passing performance and an "F" for failure. And, yes, I do count off for misspelled words and improper syntax.

Your final grade will be calculated using the following percentage points: Midterm Exam = 20%; Final Exam = 20%; Class Participation: 30%; Written critiques: 30% (TOTAL = 100%).

The grading scale is as follows: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70 - 79=C; 60 - 69=D; BELOW 60=F. (Instructor’s reflection: in the “olden days”, 95-100=A.)

VIII Cell Phone/Pager Policy:

Cell phones, pagers and other personal communication devices that beep must be turned off before class commences. There are no exceptions to this rule. Please advise anyone who may have the need to reach you by cell phone or pager to do so after class. It is your responsibility to make your class schedule available to all prospective callers.

IX Disability Support Services:

It is the policy of Arkansas State University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University's commitment to equal educational opportunities.  Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example, in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.  The chair of the department offering this course is also available to assist with accommodations.  Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services.

XII. Tentative Class Activity Schedule

Wk/Class # Day/Date		Activity	Assignments/ classroom viewings
1/1 2/2	Thurs, Jan 14	Course Orientation and Syllabus; Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	The Great Train Robbery
	Thurs, Jan 21	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Birth of a Nation
3/3 4/4	Thurs, Jan 28	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Uncle Tom’s Cabin/The Jazz Singer
	Thurs, Feb 4	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Freaks
5/5 6/6	Thurs, Feb 11	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Modern Times
	Thurs, Feb 18	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Citizen Kane
7/7 8/8	Thurs, Feb 25	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Casablanca
	Thurs, Mar 4	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	High Noon
9/9	Thurs, Mar 11	Mid-term Exam	Turn in Critique #1
	Mon, Mar 15 To Fri, Mar 19	No Classes -- Spring Break
10/10 11/11	Thurs, Mar 25	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	The Apartment
	Thurs, Apr. 1	Introduction/Film Viewing/Class Discussion	Boxcar Bertha
12/12 13/13