Cinema Explorations
Mount Vernon Academy
Spring 2013
Mr. Olson
“I think cinema, movies, and
magic have alwas been closely associated. The very earliest people who made
film were magicians.”
- Francis Ford Coppola, Director
“No art passes our conscience
in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the
dark rooms of our souls.”
- Ingrid Bergman, actress
Course Goals:
-
To develop an
understanding and greater appreciation of the art and history of film
-
To position
contemporary American and foreign film in its broader historical and cultural
context
-
To study how the
medium has been used to reflect or affect U.S. and world history
-
To acquire
analysis skills to better understand cinema and the filmmakers’ intentions
Grading
70% - film viewing, which
includes in-class assignments, quizzes, notes, participation, discussion and
critiques of films
30% - Outside film critiques
Supplies
-
Students are
required to have a notebook or a section of a folder labeled Cinema Exploration
for handouts and notes
Make-up Work
-
Attendance is
critical for this class because most of the work we do involves watching films
in class and in-class discussion of those films
-
Students are
responsible for making up the viewing assignments they miss. Many of the films
viewed are rare or obscure and hard to find. I will not be able to loan out
copies of these films. If you miss a viewing of a film and the in-class
assignment, you will need to schedule a time after school to watch it.
Class Participation
-
This course will
not require regular homework. Most of the work we do will involve actively
watching and discussing films. This means no sleeping or working on homework
for another class. Film is a visual medium, so my expectation is that heads are
up and eyes are on the screen. Also, all cell phones and other electronic
devices must be turned of and put away.
Plagiarism/Cheating:
Students who plagiarize
writing will receive a 0 on the assignment and no participation points for the
day. Copying another student’s work is
cheating.
Mr.
Olson’s Classroom Expectations
1. Be on time
2. Bring required materials with you: Your folder/notes, and something to
write with.
3. Things that
are superfluous to scholarship stays out of sight! (Cell phones, iPads, other electronic devices,
laptops, make-up and other grooming accouterments, work for another class,
food)
4. Be kind and
respectful to everyone and everything –
even when you don’t feel like it.
5. One person
speaks; the rest listen.
6. Take care of
personal business outside of clss
7. Keep your
head up and remain awake during class.
