HUM210/THE210, Contemporary Cinema Faculty Member: Darrell Copp Phone Number: (480) 423-6357 College: Scottsdale Community College Credits: 3 Website
OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION ABSTRACT OF DIVERSITY INFUSION WITHIN COURSE TEXTBOOK PRESENTATION OF DIVERSITY-RELATED MATERIALS CLASS SCHEDULE OF DIVERSITY-RELATED SEGMENTS SUCCESSES AND DIFFICULTIES STUDENT EVALUATIONS OF COURSES INFUSED WITH DIVERSITY RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

 OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: TOP
A study of contemporary films, Executive Directors, and critics with emphasis on evaluating film as an art form

ABSTRACT OF DIVERSITY INFUSION WITHIN COURSE:TOP
Within the context of a course designed to familiarize students with the elements of contemporary filmmaking and foster awareness of and appreciation for current trends in the art of film, learning units addressing various diversity issues were infused.

Films, filmmakers and subject matter representing various cultures were presented to students for viewing, discussion and reaction. Diversity topics included:

1. Chinese Cinema: Films of Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee. The Cultural Revolution.

2. Third World Neorealism: Walter Salles' Central Station (Brazil)

3. Latin American Magic Realism: Alfonso Arau's Like Water For Chocolate (Mexico)

4. African American Perspectives: Films of Spike Lee and John Singleton, others.

5. Female/Feminist Perspectives: Marleen Gorris' Antonia's Line, others.

6. Gay & Lesbian Perspectives: The Celluloid Closet, retrospective of homophobia.

7. Australia: Films of Peter Weir: Gallipoli

8. France: Kryzstof Kieslowski's Trois Coleurs trilogy, Red, White, Blue.

9. Physical Challenges: The Polish Brothers' Twin Falls Idaho

COURSE TEXTBOOK:TOP
TEXT: The Art of Watching Films5thh ed. Boggs/Petrie.

PRESENTATION OF DIVERSITY-RELATED MATERIAL:TOP
Multiple viewing/writing assignments.

HUM 210 EXTRA CREDIT GAY/LESBIAN ASSIGNMENT: 2 PAGES, TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED. DUE: R 5/10. In a folder w/ previous papers. NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED.

Category One: Films by noted female Executive Directors with overt or incidental lesbian themes

Entre Nous (+5)
If These Walls Could Talk II
Go Fish
The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
High Art
I Shot Andy Warhol
Better Than Chocolate

Category Two: Films reflecting gay male experiences

The Wedding Banquet (+5)
The Broken Hearts Club
The Hanging Garden
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Maurice
Wilde
My Beautiful Laundrette
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
The Object of My Affection
The Opposite of Sex
The Broken Hearts Club
Get Real
Trick*
Priest*
Lilies*
*Not for the squeamish: overt sexual situations.

Category Three: AIDS Themes/gay male experiences

Jeffrey
Longtime Companion
Philadelphia Parting Glances

Write a thoughtful, cohesive essay re: your chosen film, addressing some of the questions on the reverse that you feel are most appropriate to your film. Please emphasize your own personal reactions to specific issues/scenes in the film. Please don't simply tell me what you think I want to hear, and don't worry about offending me. I really want some gut-level reactions here!

Category One: Does this film seem to have a particular point of view regarding the role of women, both in society at large and in their interpersonal relationships with men? How is it displayed? Is the dominant sensibility or culture portrayed in the film patriarchal or matriarchal ? How are the relationships between women portrayed as being the same or different from the traditional portrayal in movies of relationships between women and men? If you are heterosexual yourself, what do you find intriguing/different/universal/ offputting/etc. re: the relationships between women in the film? Do you feel you learned anything of value, or did the movie make you uncomfortable, and why? If you are gay or lesbian, what rings true for you personally? What seems contrived?

Category Two: In what ways are the major gay characters in the film like or unlike yourself or people you know? Do you feel the movie provides a realistic portrayal of a gay "culture" that extends beyond mere sex? Several of these films deal with a common theme of alienation/heterosexual prejudice. If these ideas are depicted in your chosen film, do you think they're realistically portrayed? Why or why not? Do the experiences of one or more of the characters in the film make you think in a new way about how life and relationships may be more challenging for gay people than for heterosexuals? Did you learn anything of value? Gain a new perspective? Ever feel uncomfortable? Why? What rings true or seems contrived?

Category Three: Most of the questions above apply. In addition to these, what other challenges are faced by HIV+ characters, as well as HIV- characters who are forced to deal with HIV less directly? Do you feel that your chosen film may have served a purpose in educating an audience at a time when AIDS issues were less understood in our society? How might this film help to heal the wounds of those effected by HIV/AIDS?

HUM 210 PAPER #4: A-Z. Two pages. Handwritten papers and papers without folders will not be accepted. Your folder should also contain papers #1 - #3. DUE R 4/12

1. Base your paper on Antonia's Line or choose one of the following for extra credit points:

   Xiu Xiu; The Sent-Down Girl (+7)
   (China/USA 1999; Joan Chen)

   Girlfight (+3.5)
   (USA 2000; Karyn Kusama)

   Love and Basketball (+3.5)
   (USA 2000; Gina Prince Bythewood)
   Love and Basketball may be chosen only if not previously chosen for paper #3.

2. Write a well-developed and thoughtful essay discussing your reactions to this film. Consider some or all of the following:
   1. Does this film seem to have a particular point of view regarding the role of women, both in society at large and in their interpersonal relationships? How is it displayed?
   2. In your opinion, does this film make a feminist statement? What is feminism to you, and how is it manifested in the film's message?
   3. How are relationships between the sexes portrayed as being similar or different from the traditional portrayal in movies?
   4. Are the male characters portrayed differently than what you are used to seeing in more mainstream Hollywood fare?
   5. How would this movie be different if a man had directed it? Would it have been made at all?
   6. In all three films the female protagonist meets with rejection because of her failure to conform to a traditional female role. How would you respond to this character if you met her? How do you feel about the portrayal of women in traditionally masculine roles?

Please use specific examples from the film to support your assertions. over ->

OR...

Paper #4 Plan B: re: Antonia's Line

Two pages typed, in a folder with papers #1-#3. Due R 4/12
This option worth 3.5 extra credit points.

1. Read the reviews by Guthmann and McAlister. Consider what each has to say about Antonia's Line. Choose one review with which you agree and one with which you disagree.
2. Develop a position paper in support of either the views of Guthmann or the views of McAlister. In supporting your position, make direct reference to both reviews as well as to the film. Quote the reviewers and cite specific examples from the film to support your assertion that Antonia's Line is either "a lovely film with great feminist and humanist values" (McAlister), or "an odd mix of schmaltz and anti-male orneriness" (Guthmann).

HUM 210 PAPER ASSIGNMENT #2: Two page minimum, typed. Due R 2/15 in a two-pocket folder. Handwritten papers and papers without folders will not be accepted. Folder should include paper #1.

1. Read Chapters One thru Three in the textbook.
2. Rent and view either Red (+5) or Twin Falls Idaho.
3. Referring to the text for guidance, write three well-developed paragraphs, one answering each of the following about one of the films:

   For Red:

   1. What, in your opinion, is a major theme of the film? State the theme in a single sentence, then develop a substantial paragraph explaining your opinion. Use examples from the film to support your case.
   2. What is your opinion of the symbolism inherent in the use of the color red in the film? What meanings seem to be attached? What is the Executive Director saying thru the dramatic use of red? Which characters seem to be closely associated with red and why? Use specific examples to support your ideas.
   3. What is your interpretation of the broken glass motif and its possible meanings? Use examples to support the development of a complete paragraph.

or...

For Twin Falls Idaho:

1. What, in your opinion, is a major theme of the film? State the theme in a single sentence, then develop a substantial paragraph explaining your opinion. Use examples from the film to support your case.
2. Identify and explain at least two of the major symbols/metaphors used to depict the plight of the twins in the film. Does the presence of these symbols/ metaphors enhance your emotional response to their situation? How?
3. In what ways do you feel irony is present in the film? Is there at least one example you can relate that depicts either Dramatic Irony, Irony of Situation, of Character, Setting, Tone, etc? Be specific in developing a complete paragraph.

As with all of your papers this semester, I am less concerned with "right" vs. "wrong" answers than I am with your ability to think critically and interpret beneath the surfaces of things. No answer is "wrong" as long as it is fully supported with specific examples and valid reasoning. Red presents the greater challenge, I believe, and papers will be graded accordingly.

HUM 210 PAPER #3: Everyone (A-Z) Two pages. Handwritten papers and papers without folders will not be accepted. Folder should also contain papers #1 & #2.
DUE: R 3/29

1. View one of the following. Please choose a film you've not seen before. Love and Basketball (USA 2000; Gina Prince Bythewood) Soulfood (USA 1997; George Tillman, Jr) Rosewood (USA 1997; John Singleton) Boyz n the Hood (USA 1991; John Singleton) Do the Right Thing (USA 1989; Spike Lee) Down in the Delta (USA 1998; Maya Angelou) Set it Off (USA 1996; F. Gary Gray) Menace II Society (USA 1993; Hughes Brothers) Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored (USA 1996; Tim Reid) Eve's Bayou (USA 1997; Kasi Lemmons)
2. Write a well-developed, cohesive and thoughtful essay discussing what you learned by watching this film. Answer each of the following:
   1. Are the events or circumstances portrayed ones with which you were totally familiar prior to watching the film? Consider the historical/political/sociological setting. What did the film teach you? Explain/use specific examples...
   2. Do any of the main characters have experiences to which you can personally relate, despite possible ethnic/racial differences? How are you similar? Explain/Examples...
   3. What do you believe is the message of the film? What social or political statements do you think the Executive Director is making? Explain/Examples...

HUM 210 PAPER #1: CHINESE CINEMA
DUE: R 2/1 TWO-PAGE MINIMUM, TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED
PAPER MUST BE PRESENTED IN A TWO-POCKET FOLDER
Handwritten papers and papers without folders will not be accepted

1. Rent and watch one of the following films: To Live (This film is my first preference. If unavailable, choose one of the others) The Story of Qiu Ju Shanghai Triad Eat Drink Man Woman
2. Write a well-developed, cohesive and thoughtful essay discussing what you learned by watching this film. Answer each of the following:
   1. Are the events or circumstances portrayed ones with which you were totally familiar prior to watching the film? Consider the historical/political/sociological setting. What did the film teach you? Explain/use specific examples...
   2. Do any of the main characters have experiences to which you can personally relate, despite possible ethnic/racial differences? How are you similar? Explain/Examples...
   3. What do you believe is the message of the film? What social or political statements do you think the Executive Director is making? Explain/Examples...
   4. Overall, how would you compare this film to some of your more recent American favorites? How did it seem to differ from American films? Did you like it (be honest!)? Why or why not?
3. Attend a screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and keep your ticket stub. Attach it to the front of your paper. If you can't make it, you'll be missing what is arguably the best film of the year, but you will have four more chances to accumulate three ticket stubs in the coming weeks.

OUTLINE OF CLASS SCHEDULE SHOWING DIVERSITY RELATED SEGMENTS: TOP
HUMANITIES 210: CONTEMPORARY CINEMA
INSTRUCTOR: DARRELL COPP
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 11:30-12:30, TR 9-10
OFFICE: LC-331
PHONE: 423-6357
TEXT: The Art of Watching Films 5thh ed. Boggs/Petrie.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course we will study contemporary films and the people who make them. Film as an interdisciplinary art form is explored in two ways: 1) We will isolate each of the elements that make a film. 2) We will explore the many ways in which film enriches and educates audiences through the evocation of various points of view, cultures, and lifestyles. This semester you will be exposed to Film through diverse, multicultural perspectives.

DISCLAIMER: Films and clips depicting adult subject matter, sexuality, violence, drug use and explicit language will be shown. Your continued attendance in this course beyond the first day indicates your willingness to be exposed to these and other subjects and to deal with them in a mature and open-minded manner.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:

1. To recognize film's influence on contemporary communication processes.
2. To enhance perception in the process of viewing films, and to develop critical skills in evaluating film as an art form.
3. To identify and use film terminology correctly.
4. To raise questions regarding values stimulated by film
5. To identify some of the major figures who have made great contributions to Contemporary Cinema.
6. To learn how the medium of Film can enhance our lives by showing us ways of life that are different from our own.

ATTENDANCE: I don't want no scrubs! A scrub is a fool who can't get no "A" from me! Attendance is required because the majority of the material covered will be seen, discussed, and evaluated during class. Because of the nature of the class, there will be no make-up of any missed course material, assignments, or in-class presentations. Your attendance and participation are an important part of your final grade. Each student is allowed two free absences. You will lose 10 points from your final grade for a third absence, 10 more for a fourth. If you are absent more than four times you will be dropped from the course. This includes absences of any kind, for any reason. Attendance will be taken every day at the beginning of class. If you arrive after attendance has been taken, it is your responsibility to make sure I have noted your arrival in my book. Arriving late will cost you one half-absence (5 points), as will leaving early. The Final Exam period for this class is on R 5/17. Failure to attend class on that day will result in a "0" attendance grade for the entire course.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

It is necessary for every student to own/have access to a VCR (a DVD player would help, but is not necessary). Additionally, you must have the financial means to bear the cost of renting a number of videos and attending at least three theatrically-screened over the course of the semester.

Attendance:	50 points
Papers:	200 points
Paper 1, China	50
Paper #2, Theme and Symbol	50
Paper #3, African American Perspectives	50
Paper #4, Feminist Perspectives	50
Presentations:	100 points
Presentation #1: Visual Design or Cinematography	50
Presentation #2: Acting	50
Tests:	200 points
Test #1:	100
Test #2:	100
Movie Attendance: (Three ticket stubs @ 16.7 ea)	50 points
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE:	600 points

GRADING SCALE:

540 - 600 = A
480 - 539 = B
420 - 479 = C
360 - 419 = D
<360 = F

EXTRA CREDIT: There are many opportunities for extra credit in this course. For each assignment you will have a choice of films to view. Films listed with a "(+5)" beside the title are worth 5 points more than the other choices for that particular assignment. Choosing the "(+5)" films can really add-up over the course of the semester. You will also have the opportunity to write an extra 50 point paper at the end of the course which will replace your lowest 50 point grade.

PAPER REQUIREMENTS: Length of papers as listed for each assignment is a minimum requirement, based on 12-point type, double-spaced, with 1 1/4" margins, not including a separate title page. Any paper not meeting the minimum length requirements will be penalized. Papers that are not typed will not be accepted All papers will be presented in a two-pocket folder. Over the course of the semester your papers will accumulate in this folder so that I may assess your progress from one paper to the next.

PLAGIARISM: Representing the work of others as your own constitutes grounds for failing this course. NEVER use ANYTHING written by ANYONE else without citing your source.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late papers are accepted at a penalty of 10% per calendar day. Papers are due at class time on assigned date. Papers arriving after class has begun will be considered late. Presentations are due on the assigned day and may not be made-up. Any student failing to present on his/her assigned day will receive a grade of "0" for the assignment.

HELPFUL ADDRESSES: Over the course of the semester you may need to find one or more videos that are unavailable at most major chains, such as Blockbuster. The best place in the Valley to find older and foreign films is the Burton Barr Phoenix Central Library, located on Central Avenue just South of McDowell. Get a library card and videos can be borrowed free for one full week. Perhaps the best selection of foreign and non-mainstream videos for rent can be found at Movies on Central, also on Central Avenue just South of Camelback. Scottsdale Video, on the Northeast corner of Thomas and 68th Street, also has a better-than-average selection of older and foreign films. For research purposes, the most logical website from which to begin is the Internet Movie Database at us.imdb.com. Some other good websites for keeping up with the movies include Roughcut.com, ain't-it-cool-news.com, Film.com, and Inside.com.

COURSE CALENDAR

T 1/23		Intro to course/syllabus/Magic Realism
R 1/25		Chinese Cinema
T 1/30		Chapters 1 & 2: Analysis and Theme
R 2/1		Chinese Cinema/Guest Speaker Paper #1: Chinese Film Due
T 2/6		Chapter 3: Fictional and Dramatic Elements
R 2/8		Chapter 3: Fictional and Dramatic Elements
T 2/13		Neorealism and the Third World: Central Station
R 2/15		Central Station Paper #2: Theme & Symbol Due
T 2/20		Chapter 4: Visual Design
R 2/22		Chapter 5: Cinematography
T 2/27		Chapter 5: Cinematography
R 3/1		Presentation #1: Visual Design Clips (group A) Due
T 3/6		Presentation #2: Cinematography Clips (group B) Due
R 3/8		Test #1: Chapters 1-5 / Conclude Clips
Spring Break
T 3/20		African-American Perspectives in Film
R 3/22		African-American Perspectives in Film
T 3/27		Oscar Wrap-up/Chapter 6: Editing
R 3/29		Chapter 6: Editing Paper #3: African-American Films Due
T 4/3		Female Filmmakers/Feminist Perspectives: Antonia's Line
R 4/5		Antonia's Line
T 4/10		Chapter 8: Sound
R 4/12		Chapter 9: Music Paper #4: Female/Feminist Due
T 4/17		The New Cinema of Outsiders: Boys Don't Cry or Requiem For a Dream
R 4/19		Boys Don't Cry or Requiem For a Dream
T 4/24		New and Diverse Directions: Timecode/The Cell/ Dogma 95
R 4/26		Gay and Lesbian Perspectives in Film
T 5/1		Chapter 10: Acting
R 5/3		Test #2: Chapters 6,8,9 & 10 / Acting Continued
T 5/8		Presentation #2: Acting Clips Due
R 5/10		Presentation #2: Acting Clips Due (extra credit paper due)
Final Exam Period: 9:30 - 11:20 R 5/17 Presentation #2: Acting Clips Due Mandatory Attendance

All or part of this syllabus may change due to unforeseen circumstances

SUCCESSES AND DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED: TOP

STUDENT EVALUATION OF COURSE INFUSED WITH DIVERSITY: TOP
Student response was overwhelmingly (almost entirely) positive.

This has been a valuable and rewarding experience for myself and for my students. The only real danger I've encountered has been the possibility of doing a disservice to each diverse community by trying to cover too many topics in too little time. Spending only one class period on Gay/Lesbian perspectives or two classes on African American perspectives is better than not teaching them at all, but at times I worried that in my desire to give breadth to the diversity issue I may have disrespected some populations by having to present complicated, worthy issues in an overly-simplified, truncated fashion. Really wish I had more time to do justice to all!

COMMENTS COMPILED FROM STUDENT EVALUATIONS:

100% of respondents said they would recommend this course, as taught by this teacher, to friends.

Loved the world-wide array of films. I never would have seen some of this stuff, but I'm glad I did.

I found all the diversity topics valuable because they were things I hadn't observed before. Being a film major, a background in world film history helps me to open my mind to different concepts and styles.

Most valuable was female/feminist!!! Power to the women! It's good to show men things that they might not usually see.

I learned that all of these topics were valuable (and enjoyable). Of course there are always certain topics that make you feel sick (like people getting beat-up), but that's what makes them valuable. All of the diverse topics covered taught me a lot about the human race around the world.

I thought the African-American topic was most valuable, or the gay/lesbian. They challenge people's minds for equality. That is something that always needs to be addressed.

I especially appreciated the feminist and the gay/lesbian topics, just because they are avery day issues that we encounter often. I believe most people are somewhat complacent when they need to be the opposite. I appreciated covering these topics because it brings them to people's attention and HOPEFULLY inspires them to think and grow.

I particularly enjoyed the weeks spent on China and gay/lesbian perspectives. I thought they were interesting and very informative.

I found the Chinese films to be the most interesting. Neorealism and magic realism were also very enjoyable topics. I found the feminist topic interesting but less valuable.

I've always been a pretty anti any-movie-that-is-in-a-different-language kind of person, but watching clips in class made me get off my ass and go see Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was definitely a good thing. The paper I liked least was the African-American paper. Maybe it was the movie (probably), but that was the only thing I did not enjoy doing.

I found gay/lesbian most valuable because I know several gay people who I love very much and they need to be represented more often as the kind of people they are. I enjoyed learning about China but it just didn't hit as close to home, literally or figuratively.

It isn't that I didn't enjoy the China thing, but it felt like it went on too long. I was hoping for another day to be spent on the gay/lesbian.

I am definitely leaving this course enriched.

Some subjects like African-Americans in film were too broad and seemed rushed. I would have been better if you had narrowed the focus more. China I loved and got a lot out of.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:TOP
STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE THEIR FAVORITE FILM(S) COVERED THIS SEMESTER.

Central Station
Twin Falls Idaho, Girlfight
Central Station, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Antonia's Line
Central Station
Gallipoli
Gallipoli
Gallipoli
Red, To Live
Antonia's Line
To Live, Central Station, Gallipoli, Boyz n' the Hood
Boyz n' the Hood, Twin Falls Idaho, Red, Requiem for a Dream
Central Station
Antonia's Line
Central Station
Gallipoli
Central Station/Gallipoli
Love and Basketball
Red
Trick