HUM 3321: Syllabus

Multicultural Film and Twentieth Century Culture
HUM3321

Syllabus

Designed by:
Dr. Caroline (“Kay”) Picart

With the Assistance of:
Jason McKahan
Greg Thompson
Michaela Densmore

And Contributions Done by:
David Simmons
Mark Hamilton
Carl Curtis
Kyle Frank
Aaron Simmons

Course Objectives
Required Text
Required Screenings
Conditions Specific to the Virtual Course
Gordon Rule Requirement
Academic Honor Code
ADA Statement
Criteria for Grading
Policies on Electronic Communication and Access to Information
Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act of 2001
Regarding Spam/Jokes/Chain Letters
Miscellaneous Technology Resources

Course Objectives [top]

This course aims to accomplish the following things:

to examine how film language creates an interaction between filmmaker and spectator;
to analyze how categories of race, class, gender, sexuality, and other factors have been ideologically constructed through avenues such as commercial film;
to develop a vocabulary for how film creates a “politics of the gaze”—that is, focusing on the issues of whose view or story is authorized or not, and on what grounds;
to examine how all of the aforementioned factors work together in narrative and popular film;
to introduce the student to several theoretical approaches in film criticism.

Required Text [top]

Jason Grant McKahan, Caroline Joan (Kay) Picart, Gregory J. Thompson and Kathryn Field, Multicultural Dimensions of Film: A Reader. 7th Ed. NY: McGraw-Hill, 2001. ISBN: 0-07-251446-9

The web site, http://www.carolinekaypicart.com/humfilm/, is a purely virtual version of HUM3321, a companion to the text, and provides a backbone of lectures that will enhance the understanding of how the materials flow together. The web site is required for the virtual courses and supplementary for the conventional courses. You also should sign up for a garnet or mailer account by going to: http://register.acns.fsu.edu/CARS/studentreg.html.

Two possible supplementary texts for Part III of the course will be available at the Strozier Library Reserve section by September-October, 2001. These books are:

Caroline Joan (Kay) S. Picart, The Cinematic Rebirths of Frankenstein. Praeger Publishers, 2001. ISBN: 0-275-97363-8

Caroline Joan (Kay) S. Picart, Frank Smoot and Jayne Blodgett, The Frankenstein Film Sourcebook. Greenwood Press, 2001. ISBN: 0-313-31350-4

Required Screenings: [top]
Students must view each film by the day of the scheduled screening. They will be shown at the Student Life Theatre on Mondays at 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted on the Blackboard shell for this course. To go there, click on http://campus.fsu.edu (note: a new browser window will open) and log into HUM3321 sections 1 or 2, using your mailer or garnet accounts and passwords.

For the film viewing times, go to the Screenings section of this site.

Alternatively, you may also view the movies in video format through the Student Government Movie Channel (channel 16). Films will be shown everyday, except Monday, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

In addition, streamed online clips illustrating film form or technique versions of the videos are available on the clips page of this site. To view these, you must download RealPlayer, and it is highly recommended that you use on campus computer facilities, especially those at the Oglesby Union and the basement (not the first floor) of Strozier Library. A password to access the clips will be given to you by your instructor. Under all circumstances, do not pass on this password to anyone. The penalties for passing this on to anyone unauthorized to have access are of the most severe type, ranging from litigation to expulsion.

Lastly, Leon Public Library and Strozier Library are extra possible sources for borrowing videos. For the Leon Public Library, obtain library cards early and place reserves on any titles that you think you will want to borrow. In order to get a library card, the applicant must show some form of identification with their current Leon County address. If the students have any questions about what form of ID is acceptable, they should call the library at 487-2665 and ask to speak to the Circulation Department for clarification of that issue. For Strozier, proceed to the library on campus and inquire about the newly established video library.

Conditions Specific to the Virtual Course [top]

This is a web based course. Please be advised on the following issues:

Commitment to the course [top]
As this is a strictly Internet based course, please be advised that it requires your attention in exactly the same way a classroom course would. You must watch the designated films at the time they are offered as your weekly assignments will be directly relating to the films. Additionally, you should put as much commitment into this course as you would for an in-class course, if not more. You will be required to be a self-motivator and have enough discipline to do the weekly assignments without the face-to-face prodding of your instructor(s).

Attendance Policy [top]

Attendance is determined by the submission of requirements by the specified deadlines.

Missed or late assignments due to [top]

Legitimate reasons such as accidents, deaths in the family, and other possible reasons to be determined by the instructor. Official documentation includes doctor’s notes, funeral notices, court documents, or traffic related documents. Other possible forms of documentation are to be left to the discretion of the main instructors, not the mentorees. For uniformity, consistency and fairness, in the virtual course, appeals regarding late assignments or “excused” absences should be referred to Jason McKahan at jgm8530@mailer.fsu.edu . No one else is authorized to make decisions regarding this matter.
Computer failure/power outages/network failure: Unlike an in-class instruction, you have 24 hour access to this course. That means, it is advisable not to wait until the very last minute to get your assignments done and turned into your instructor(s). Computer/power/network failures or other such problems are generally not sufficient to warrant an excuse for late work. You can always work ahead! If you are out of town, you will be able to turn in your homework early, but not late! Should you run into problems with the course material or Blackboard software, please inform the instructor(s) of this course as soon as possible so that such issues can be remedied quickly. In cases of emergency or system failure, email the required material to the instructor or mentoree assigned to work with you.

Gordon Rule Requirement [top]
Also, since this course is considered a Gordon Rule class, students must obtain a C- or better in order to pass the Gordon Rule requirement. Students who do not meet the Gordon Rule writing requirement will not receive a grade higher than a D+ for the course, regardless of the average on all other required course work. For further information on these university policies, refer to the handbook at http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook.

Academic Honor Code [top]
The Florida State University General Bulletin contains an Honor Code that is repeated verbatim in the Student Handbook. You are responsible for knowing and conforming to it; in addition to the information listed in the Handbook, you are also cautioned that:

If you take material that is not yours, from any source (inclusive of web sites), and copy it into anything you submit, you are obligated to provide a footnote, endnote or parenthetical reference and works cited list at the end of the paper.
Material that is lifted verbatim from other texts must be placed in quotation marks or, in the case of anything longer than three sentences, blocked quotes, indicating its source, as in item # 1 above.
Material that is paraphrased must also be documented as in item # 1.
Persons who violate the Honor Code and any of the items above in any requirement, whether minor or major, will receive an “F” for the course.

Thus, contrary to students' beliefs, plagiarism isn't just a little thing. Any time you take someone else's words, ideas or concepts, you must cite your source and give credit to the actual author. This is especially true for anything you pick from the web. Knowing the appropriate citation for your material is your responsibility.

Failure to cite your sources and give credit to the original author will be punishable to the extent your FSU Student Handbook provides for Plagiarism. This can lead all the way up to expulsion from Florida State University. When in doubt, cite your source! For further information on plagiarism and the honor code, see: http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook/codes/honor.html.

ADA Statement [top]
Students with documented disabilities needing academic accommodations should, in the first week of class: 1.) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and 2.) bring an authorized letter from SDRC to the professor, indicating the need for academic accommodations, if necessary. This and all other class materials are available in alternative format, upon request. We will do everything we can to ensure fairness to everyone in class.

For further information, refer to: http://www.fsu.edu/~staffair/dean/StudentDisability/index.html.

Criteria for Grading [top]

Threaded Journals 50%
Draft Essay 15%
Final Essay 35%

Threaded Conversations Grading Criteria [top]
Your threaded conversations grade will be based on the following criteria. In order to receive any grade higher than 04 (40 points on a 100 point scale), the student must meet the word limits set by the instructor(s). If you are not certain how many words your assignment should be, please contact your instructor(s). To check your word count, in MSWord use "Tools" -> "Word Count" and look at the number after 'words.'

10 points (can be of course scaled to 100 points): The student shows detailed comprehension of the question and the material and provides a very clear argumentation. Proper English grammar and spelling are essential for this grade.

09 points (up to 90 points): The student shows detailed comprehension of the question and the material and provides for the most part a very clear argumentation. Proper English grammar and spelling are essential.

08 points (up to 80 points): The student shows detailed comprehension of the question and the material and provides a good argumentation. Very few spelling or grammar errors may occur.

07 points (up to 70 points): The student shows average comprehension of the question and the material. There are either minor argumentation or spelling or grammar errors in the writing.

06 points (up to 60 points): The student shows either problems with the comprehension of the question and/or the material and at times lacks adequate argumentation. Spelling/grammar errors may also be frequently present.

05 points (up to 50 points): The student shows problems with the comprehension of the question and the material and lacks proper argumentation. Spelling and grammar errors are frequently present. There may also be a large amount of wordiness.

04 - 00 points (40 - 00 points): The student meets any of the following criteria:

Word count too low (compare the required word count set by your instructor[s]).
Not answering the question provided (i.e. writing about everything else, but the question asked).
Student has no grasp of the material.
Excessive spelling and grammar errors, including--but not limited to--frequent incomplete sentences. You have access to a free writing center on campus if you need help in improving your English.
Student is caught plagiarizing: automatic 00 for that assignment. Further consequences may follow!
00 points for not turning in an assignment on time.

Draft and Final Essay Grading Criteria [top]
Your essay grade will be based on the following criteria. Each category will be compiled of whole points, no partial points will be given. All of these criteria are equally weighted.

Spelling Mechanics Structural Detail: These essays are to consist of 4-5 pages, typewritten in a standard format (MLA, APA, Chicago or any other standard format so long as the usage is consistent), double-spaced, with 11 point font and 1 inch margins. Your essay must be argumentative in which you have a clear thesis concerning a course film, which is to be followed by a series of arguments that support your thesis, using specific facts and examples from the film and readings. You must spell the characters' and actors' names correctly. In addition, cite the essential credits of the film when you first mention it in your essay, which are usually the director and the year in which the film came out: "Titanic (James Cameron, 1997)". If you are referring to a specific character in a film, the convention is to write as follows: "The Monster (Boris Karloff) stumbles out of the laboratory . . ." (i.e., cite the character, and then the actor in parentheses beside it) This is where The Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) is invaluable in providing information. When you log on to The Internet Movie Database site and type in a movie title--e.g., Titanic or any other film, it will provide a lot of very useful information on it, ranging from production history to film credits, etc.
Examples of Cultural Theory (quality and quantity): The essay must make reference to and apply ideas found in at least two Multicultural Dimensions of Film articles and two articles in the Select Bibliography, which can be accessed on the Resources page (http://www.carolinekaypicart.com/humfilm/resources.html). You must illustrate the interrelations of class, race, gender and sexuality. An example of this approach may be found in the Weber article, "A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality." One practical approach to the paper might be to read the articles and sum up their main points. Once you have command of the ideas presented in the articles, watch the film. In this way, you will have a theoretical basis/perspective before viewing the film and will be more aware of certain interpretations and questions that can be raised while you watch the film.
Examples of Film Form (quality and quantity): Explain fully and in detail how film content (story and plot) and film form (mode of narration) inform your thesis. You should ask, for example, what is the thematic material or ideology of class, race, gender or sexuality in the selected film and how does the form of the film interact with, construct or enunciate, this theme or ideology? How does the filmmaker attempt to express ideas and elicit emotional responses from spectators? In what ways does the film you have chosen to write about "address" an implied spectator by reference to codes of class, race, gender or sexuality through film form (subjectivity, point of view editing, close-up, angle, lighting, reaction shots). Be sure to take abbreviated notes while watching the films for later reference. You might also visit the Strozier media center to review content and form in detail.
Synthesis of Cultural Theory and Film Form: Evaluates the overall synthesis of ideas derived from the theories presented in the course readings and their relationship to the formal structuring of the selected film.
Quality and Creativity of Thesis and Arguments: Be specific in your arguments and try to avoid obvious or far-reaching statements. Creativity is assessed by your ability put often unrelated ideas into a single conceptual framework and back these up with adequate and compelling proof.

Extra Credit Assignments [top]
Each week, you will be given a new film to watch and new reading material. For extra credit, you will have the following options for all or nothing credit:

Find a web site pertaining to the film that has NOT yet been posted on the HUM3321 or the class web site yet. In 300 or less words, explain why you feel this web site is important to the film and how it will help to further greater understanding of the material. This may be a web site that deals directly with the film, or perhaps with information that inspired the making of the film (Psycho is a good example for this). It could also be background information on the director, script writer or the lead actor(s)/actress(es). Or you might find something that delves further into issues that were discussed within the frame of the film. On the latter, you must relate those directly to the film. Web sites that deal solely with race, class, gender, sexuality but without a clear context to the film will not be acceptable.
Find a web site that helps your fellow students to understand the reading material in more detail. For example, a detailed background on the Althusser reading might clarify what is meant by many of the terms Althusser uses. Once more, in 300 or less words, explain why the site is useful for others students to look at. Your material should not consists only of primary reading (e.g. Mulvey's article or book), but provide a better understanding of the primary material.
Find articles in the Select bibliography cited in the Resources section of http://www.carolinekaypicart.com/humfilm at the FSU library (or in outside film magazines) that pertain to the current film. Write a synopsis of the article and post it to Blackboard, in keeping with posted instructions. If there is an electronic copy available through any of the FSU Online services, you may send the link. On the copy you turn in, please note the name of the journal, the year and issue, the page number of the article. Your findings should be posted to the main posting area in Blackboard so that all students are able to access the information.

Please also note: The term "why is it useful / important" does not mean "because it pertains to the film." For you to get the full extra credit, you must be more specific and tell in which ways the material at the site is helpful. You may do a review of the site or give a brief synopsis. If there are several pages to the site, you can refer to the pages by their assigned titles (e.g. Blackboard5 - Courses - Main), the page link (i.e. the link name given on the web site) or by the page number if that is provided.

REMEMBER: this is an all or nothing credit! If this particular web site (or the content under a different URL) has already been posted to Blackboard, no credit with be given to a student coming up with the same web site (or identical article). It is thus imperative for you to check the posts before you go and hunt for web sites

If for whatever reason you cannot post to the main site, please email your instructor and include all your information in that email. This ensures that you still will be given credit if you are the first to post.

Extra credit will make up 10 % of your final grade. Like your regular assignments, there are deadlines for the extra credit assignments and no late work will be given credit, though you may still post your information after that (but without credit). However, if your grade is on the cusp, all your extra work (although no credit was assigned) will be taken into consideration.

Policies on Electronic Communication and Access to Information [top]
The FSU internal networks and connections to the National Information Infrastructure provide a wide range of facilities for communication between individuals and for disseminating information and ideas. Electronic communication and information resources will be increasingly important to University faculty, staff, and students. The University supports open access to electronic communication and information, as follows:

Members of the University community may freely communicate and access information on electronic networks.
Material accessible to the FSU community through networks and materials disseminated from FSU should not be restricted on the basis of its content, nor because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to its creation (note: obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment). University administrators, faculty, and staff should challenge any attempts to censor electronic information sources.
The computing and network resources of the University may not be used to impersonate another person or misrepresent authorization to act on behalf of others or the University.
The computing and network resources of the University may not be used to harass another person. Users should not transmit to others or display images, sounds, or messages that might be perceived by a reasonable person as, or have been identified as, harassing. (See the University policies on sexual harassment and the Student Conduct Codes, section 9.c.3.)

Owners of computer accounts are responsible for all use of the accounts. They should follow guidelines to prevent unauthorized use by others, and report intrusions to the system administrators. The University cannot guarantee that, in all instances, copies of critical data will be retained on University systems. It is ultimately the responsibility of computer users to obtain secure, backup copies of essential files for disaster recovery.

VIOLATIONS: Violations of computer and network policy as outlined in this document will be considered on a case-by-case basis according to established policies; determinations may include denial of access privileges. In all instances, measures will be taken to protect the system; however, due-process rights of everyone involved will be observed in all cases. Users are reminded that some uses of the network are governed by the University Honor Code, local, State, or Federal laws. APPROVED BY FACULTY SENATE, APRIL 12, 1995.

Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act of 2001 [top]
(Relevant to the use of streamed material online) (optional) Revises Federal copyright law to extend the exemption from infringement liability for instructional broadcasting to digital distance learning or distance education. Excludes from such exemption (thus subjecting to infringement liability) any work produced or marketed primarily for performance or display that is given by means of a copy of phonorecord that is not lawfully made and acquired and the transmitting government body or accredited nonprofit educational institution knew or had reasons to believe was not lawfully made and acquired. Allows under specified conditions the performance and display of reasonable and limited portions of any copyrighted work in an amount comparable to that which is typically displayed in the course of a live classroom session, by or in the course of transmission.

Regarding Spam/Jokes/Chain Letters [top]
Please note that anything that is inappropriate to say face-to-face in class is generally inappropriate to distribute on the web course. Also the mailing lists should not be used for anything but communicating within the class environment. Inappropriate behavior of this kind will result in severe consequences as outlined in the FSU Student Handbook (email abuse punishment can range from revoking your computer access to expulsion in severe cases). Refer to: http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook/codes/honor.html. For more on Email Abuse, also see: http://www.acns.fsu.edu/docs/policy.html.

If you feel that some course-relevant information should be made available to the entire class, email the instructor(s) with a request to post on the announcement board. The instructor(s) will make the decision of appropriateness.

Miscellaneous Technology Resources [top]

If you run into any technological difficulties, please contact (in addition to your assigned instructors and mentorees):
Double spacing in Blackboard threaded conversation posts:
1. Method One
2. Method Two