Description:

This course examines the development of cinema from the early experiments in the late 1800s up to the present day, presenting the history and art of both American and international cinema. Students read the textbook, view short and full-length films, and discuss important cinematic techniques and concepts. Students verify their judgments by summarizing and analyzing these important concepts, using discussions, and writing effective, well-organized essays in response to cinematic presentations and explanations. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the development of modern day cinema: American and international.
2. Describe the major technological advances in cinema.
3. Define the important film terms used in the making of movies.
4. Explain the importance of the director, the producer and the writer of films.
5. Analyze the components of a good film: editing, camera angle, special effects, acting, costuming, setting, shot, sequence, scene, montage, etc.
6. Analyze the narrative techniques of film: plot, characterization, theme, conflict, climax, denouement, flashback, foreshadowing, etc.
7. Identify the artistic elements of film: beauty, continuity, transitions, context, framing, coloration, composition, etc.
8. Identify the major genres: western, horror, film noir, etc.
9. Explain the importance of the cinema.
10. Demonstrate effective group discussion techniques such as listening, expressing and elaborating.
11. Demonstrate effective writing techniques such as outlining, summarizing, paraphrasing, analyzing, quoting, and synthesizing.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Course Overview
   A. Review the course outline and methods of instruction.
   B. Review the course objectives, competencies and timelines.
   C. Discuss the course prerequisites.
   D. Describe the evaluation system to be used.

II. The Early Years of Cinema
   A. List the early inventions: kinetoscope, black maria, vitascope,
etc.
   B. Discuss the producer/directors: Edison, Lumiere, Melies, etc.
   C. Describe the early films.

III. D.W. Griffith and Other Early Directors
   A. Discuss C.B. De Mille.
   B. Discuss the artistic innovations of Griffith.
   C. Describe the comedies of Mack Sennett.
   D. Identify the early classic films: Birth of a Nation, etc.

IV. The Silent Era in the Twenties
   A. Identify the early comedians and their styles: Chaplin, Langdon,
Laurel and Hardy, etc.
   B. Explain the techniques of silent film.
   C. Describe the beginnings of the talkies, the difficulties of changing
to sound film.

V. The Development of Cinema in Europe
   A. Define the importance of Eisenstein and editing.
   B. Point out the uses of expressionism.
   C. Explain the innovations found in Metropolis and Nosferatu.
   D. Explain realism and Dadaism.

VI. The Hollywood Studio System
   A. Discuss the importance of money in making films.
   B. Explain the studio system.
   C. Describe how the star system developed.
   D. Point out the different film genres and their components.

VII. The 1930s in Hollywood
   A. Explain censorship and the Production Code.
   B. Discuss the different genres: gangster, musical, screwball comedy.
   C. Examine the techniques of Busby Berkeley and Fred Astaire.
   D. Discuss the major directors: Capra, Wyler, Hawks and Ford.


VIII. The Pre-War Years
   A. Define propaganda and its uses by Germany and other countries.
   B. Describe the problems faced by immigrant directors: Lang and von
Sternberg.
   C. Explain the film techniques of Alfred Hitchcock.
   D. Define the impact of the French directors: Renoir and Dreyer.

IX. The War Years
   A. Explain the decline of the Hollywood studios.
   B. Describe the impact of war on American films: Casablanca, To Be or
Not To Be.
   C. Discuss film noir, and the role of Humphrey Bogart.
   D. Explain the greatness of Orson Welles and his difficulties with the
studios.

X. Europe During World War II
   A. Explain the development of neo-realism in Italy.
   B. Discuss the spy film: The Third Man, etc.
   C. Describe the film techniques of de Sica and Rossellini.

XI. After the War in America
   A. Discuss the inventions of CinemaScope, Cinerama, and 3-D films.
   B. Explain the HUAC pressures during the Cold War: Elia Kazan.
   C. Discuss the blacklist and the Red Scare.
   D. Define social realism.
   E. Explain method acting and Stanislavsky.
   F. Discuss Monroe, Brando, Newman, etc.
   G. Point out Hitchcock's importance.

XII. Cinema in Europe and Japan After the War
   A. Discuss the differences between American films and the Japanese:
modern vs. traditional.
   B. Explain Kurosawa's impact.
   C. Define Bergman's psychological approach.
   D. Dissect Fellini.
   E. Define New Wave films.

XIII. The 60s Revolution
   A. Compare American films to the upheaval of the 1960s.
   B. Describe the sexual revolution.
   C. Describe the anti-Vietnam War mood.
   D. Describe the Civil Rights marches.
   E. Explain the breaking of the Production Code.
   F. Describe the films by Nichols, Hopper, Penn and Peckinpah.

XIV. Europe in the 60s
   A. Define the New Wave and Truffaut.
   B. Describe political film-making by Costa-Gavras.
   C. Explain the Marxist approach to film.
   D. Define  kitchen sink" films.
   E. Discuss the increased sexuality in film: Romeo and Juliet.

XV. The Watergate Era
   A. Discuss Kent State, political assassinations.
   B. Explain increased violence in films: The Deer Hunter.
   C. Discuss Polanski, Charles Manson, All the President's Men.
   D. Define revisionism in film genres.
   E. Discuss the important directors: Altman, Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg,
Scorsese and Allen.

XVI. New Voices and Themes in Europe
   A. Explain new themes: homosexuality, offbeat humor, rock musicals.
   B. Discuss German films: revisiting Nazi Germany.
   C. Point out the improvement of Australian film: Peter Weir, Bruce
Beresford.

XVII. New Technology of the 1980s in the USA
   A. Discuss widescreen, Dolby sound.
   B. Discuss the focus on science fiction and special effects.
   C. Explain the new censorship of the Reagan years.
   D. Discuss the maverick directors: Lynch, Cronenberg, Demme, Stone,
Hughes, Lee and Sayles.

XVIII. High Production Values in Europe
   A. Explain the  Masterpiece Theater" approach of British films.
   B. Define  male weepies": Chariots of Fire.
   C. The production values of James Ivory.
   D. Compare/contrast left wing films and right wing films.
   E. Discuss the mature sexual films of France: Manon of the Spring.

XIX. The Dominance of American Films in the 1990s
   A. Explain the victory of special effects and stunts.
   B. Discuss the European emphasis on depth and plot.
   C. Discuss the films about the holocaust.
   D. Define the rise of Disney and animation.
   E. Explain the emphasis on computer graphics.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Two 500-750 word essays 30% of grade
Mid-term exam           30% of grade
Final exam              30% of grade
Daily grade/ quizzes    10% of grade

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.