“It is the end of the century now. It’s the last decade. This is the art form of the century. It’s American. And this whole hundred years is like a Golden Age…People in 2050 are going to look back at this century as the Golden Age of Cinema, not only in America but everywhere else.” --Martin Scorsese |
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, students should:
INSTRUCTOR:
| Steve Jarrett |
| Phone: 758-5075 |
| E-mail: jarretes@wfu.edu |
REQUIREMENTS:
There will be two reaction papers and one research based term paper. Further details on the papers will be forthcoming. Regular class attendance is expected, and adherance to the Honor Code is required. Several film viewings outside of class time are required. The expectation is that students will obtain the films on their own through DVD rental or streaming services, but if this proves to be an untenable hardship we can discuss setting up screenings. |
GRADING: Calculation of the final course grade breaks down as follows:
| Essay Assignment #1 | 25% |
| Essay Assignment #2 | 25% |
| Participation | 10% |
| Term Paper | 40% |
Numerical grades on quizzes convert to letter grades on a ten-point scale.
90 -100 = A (90 - 93 = A-) 80-89 = B (87 - 89 = B+, 80 - 83 = B-) 70-79 = C (77 - 79 = C+, 70 - 73 = C-) 60-69 = D (67 - 69 = D+, 60 - 63 = D-) 0-59 = F |
SCHEDULE:
Day |
Date |
Topic |
Reading(s) |
Assigned viewing |
|
| Tuesday | 8-30 | Basic terms & concepts | |||
| Tuesday | 9-6 | Basic terms & concepts | |||
| Tuesday | 9-13 | Historical background: The Studio System | |||
| Tuesday | 9-20 | Influences: Italian Neorealism | Historical background | The Bicycle Thief | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 9-27 | Influences: the French New Wave | Historical background (Note: read all four pages.) | Hiroshima Mon Amour | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 10-4 | The Trail Blazer | Essay on Cassavetes | Faces | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 10-11 | The Shot Across the Bow | Biskind, pp. 26-36 | Bonnie and Clyde | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 10-18 | The Moguls and the Trojan Horse | Biskind, Chapter 2 | Easy Rider | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 10-25 | The New Moguls and the Cinema of Alienation | Biskind, Chapter 4 | Five Easy Pieces | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 11-1 | The Nicholas Beach Mafia | Biskind, Chapter 8 | Taxi Driver | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 11-8 | The Zoetrope Experiment | Biskind, pp. 90-93, 98-102 | The Conversation | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 11-15 | Badass Cinema | Ganja & Hess | Study Guide | |
| Tuesday | 11-22 | The Revisionist | Biskind, pp. 86-90, 93-98 | McCabe and Mrs. Miller | Study Guide |
| Tuesday | 11-29 | The Poet of Violence | The Wild Bunch | Study Guide | |
| Tuesday | 12-6 | End of an Era | Biskind, Chapter 13 | Raging Bull | Study Guide |