Buffalo State College

Course Syllabus for Online History of Cinema I

ENG 205 Spring 2017
January 23, 2017 to May 11, 2017

This course is offered through the

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
MISSION STATEMENT
We are committed to teaching, scholarship, and research that advances creativity and critical thinking
among our faculty, students, and staff. Toward this end, we provide a dynamic, collegial, and collaborative
learning environment that inspires us to realize our potential as Artists and Humanists.
Furthermore, in partnership with the neighboring community, we are dedicated to enriching the quality
of life in Buffalo and beyond by advancing cultural literacy, liberal education, and access to the Arts and
Humanities.

1. Instructor Information

Instructor: John T. Reich

Telephone: (716) 692-0906
CollegeE-mail: reichjt@buffalostate.edu (only use if Blackboard Learning System isnt working
- otherwise please use Course Messaging).
Correspondence pertaining to the course must be sent to me from your ENG 205 Blackboard
Course messaging account.
I will be online at some point during the afternoon or evening Monday through Friday and during
the afternoon on the weekends. Expect a 36 hour turnaround for course messages,
Office hours are online but not specific. I am always online in the course during Sunday
afternoon.

2. Catalog Description

This course provides the student with an understanding of cinema history from 1890 to 1960. Students will
examine trends in cinemas aesthetic forms, technical breakthroughs, innovators, cultural antecedents, and
impact. This course satisfies a portion of the Humanities requirement for Intellectual Foundations.

3. Course Overview

The course is divided into seven units; each unit explores different aspects of film development from 1890
to 1960.

4. Required Text and Materials

Textbook: No required textbook.

5. Course Content Goals

Students will:
gain knowledge of film history from 1890 to 1960
understand how movies transformed as the movie industry developed and society changed
be able to understand moments and themes that were important in the development of film
develop their own critical voice by analyzing different aspects about movies and their history

6. Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students should become familiar with the time line of film history from approximately 1890 to
1960.
2. Students should learn about the important discoveries and changes that majorly affected the
 development of the cinema during this time period.
3. Students should become acquainted with the important people involved in the major discoveries,
movements and events that shaped film history.
4. Students should understand the concepts and terms that are a major part of film from its inception
to approximately 1960.

7. Course Requirements

Even though there is no weekly attendance, you have to stay up with the course work on a weekly
basis as the course assignments and exams are only open for specified limited time periods.

Questions: Questions are given throughout the semester. The questions are in Assignments on the
left-hand side of the screen. The description on writing a response to these questions is in
Assignments; they are only unlocked during certain times. You will have to respond to eight questions.
The length of your response to a question should be at least 300 words.

Reading Assignments: There is no required textbook. Reading of content pages and online
information are assigned throughout the semester in the course units.

Journal: Have to write five journal entries discussing the pertinence of cinema history in todays
society.

Exams: Two exams will have to be taken. A mid-term and final exam will be given. They will be
open for at least a week. Each exam will contain at least three essay questions. Each question will
have multiple parts. Each exam question requires a short essay response of at least 500 words. The
exams will be in Assignments on the left-hand side of the screen.

Movies: The movies are embedded into the course and are located in Course Units. These are the only
movies and specific versions of the movies you are to watch.

9. Grading Criteria

Specific weighting of grades:

Exams - 30%
Questions 50%
Journal - 20%

Extra Credit: Extra credit may be allowed if time permits.

In order to receive an A for an assignment the premise and the points have to be sound and
supported with the required number of examples, which are discussions of movie scenes and historical
data, as requested in the question. Be as specific and detailed as possible.
See the Rubrics in the course for a complete explanation on criteria needed to receive an A, B, C, D or
F.

10. Course Policies

Attendance Policy: Since this is an online course, attendance is not mandatory at a specific time.
However, you are required to stay up with the course work and go in sequence because critiques and
quizzes can only be submitted within specific time periods. Organize your time so you do not receive
a zero. Full weeks run from Sunday through Saturday. The first week runs from Monday through
Saturday. Be prepared to spend at least three hours a week on this course. Just logging on to the
course does not meet attendance criteria or get the course work completed.

Make-up Policy: Since there is a specific period of time available to do an exam, analytical discussion
or analytical comment, there is no make-up policy. You have to complete the assignment within the
 specific block of time. Even with an unscheduled event or emergency, you still should have time to
complete the assignment.

PLAGIARISM/CHEATING:
Cheating is obtaining or intentionally giving unauthorized information to create an unfair advantage in
an examination, assignment, or classroom situation. Plagiarism is the act of presenting and claiming
words, ideas, data, programming code or creations of others as one's own. Plagiarism may be
intentional - as in a false claim of authorship - or unintentional - as in a failure to document
information sources using MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological
Association) or other style sheets or manuals adopted by instructors at the College. Presenting ideas in
the exact or near exact wording as found in source material constitutes plagiarism, as does patching
together paraphrased statements without in-text citation.

Course Plagiarism and Cheating Policy: If you plagiarize the work of someone else, you will receive
a zero. A report will also be completed and sent to the English Department and your advisor. Do not
plagiarize or cheat! Always cite your sources! If you have a question or need an extension on an
assignment, ask me.

Work Completion: Each student is required to work on assignments on an individual basis, not in
groups. Late assignments will be accepted as long as an explanation is provided as to why the
assignment is late. The earlier you complete your assignments, the more opportunity I will have to
provide feedback.

11. Instructional Support Services

If special requirements are needed for some aspect of the class work or course requirements, please see
the instructor.

12. Technical Requirements

To take this course you need access to a working computer that allows you to browse the Internet and
be able to access Buffalo States Blackboard Learn
(https://buffalostate.sln.suny.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp), and computer skills to navigate the
Internet and My Courses.

To become familiar with Blackboard Learn go to Blackboard Student Orientation on the Buffalo State
website.

If you encounter computer problems, contact the Computing Help Desk. You must solve the problem,
repair your computer or gain access to another computer, immediately.

Technical problems are not acceptable excuses for missed work.

13. Schedule

Note: The semester for this course goes from 1/23/2017 to 5/11/2017.
The instructor reserves the right to change schedule, with ample notification, if circumstances dictate. The
dates on the left are indicated to assist you in staying on task in order to complete all the required course
work timely. Do the items in the order that they are listed under Item/Activity.

Date Item/Activity

Week One Read Syllabus & Welcome Letter

Go through Introduction Content Module
Become familiar with the set-up of the course
(1/23-1/28) Under Discussions: General Chit-Chat Statement Acknowledgement
 & Introduce Yourself
Course Units: Unit One Early Years
Watch: None
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: None

Week Two Course Units: Unit One Silent Movies

(1/29-2/04) Watch: Ben Hur (1926)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #1
Journal Entry #1

Week Three Course Units: Unit Two Russian Film

(2/05-2/11) Watch: The Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #2

Week Four Course Units: Unit Three German Expressionism

(2/12-2/18) Watch: The Wolf Man (1941)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #3
Journal Entry #2

02/19-02/25 Presidents Day Recess - No Assignments

Week Five Course Units: Unit Three Sound Arrives

(2/26-3/04) Watch: The Cocoanuts (1929)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #4

Week Six Course Units: Unit Four The Studio System

(3/05-3/11) Watch: My Man Godfrey (1936) & Double Indemnity (1944)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #5
Journal Entry #3

Week Seven Course Units: Unit Four Studios & Directors

(3/12-3/18) Watch: Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #6

03/19-03/25 Spring Recess - No Assignments

Week Eight Assignment: Mid-Term Exam

(3/26-4/01)

Week Nine Course Units: Unit Five British Film

(4/02-4/08) Watch: Great Expectations (1946)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #7

Week Ten Course Units: Unit Six After the Studio System
(4/09-4/15) Watch: None
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
 Assignment: Journal Entry #4

Week Eleven Course Units: Unit Six 1950s Changes

(4/16-4/22) Watch: On the Waterfront (1954)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #8

Week Twelve Course Units: Unit Six Technology-Cinematography-Editing

(4/23-4/29) Watch: None
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #9
Journal Entry #5

Week Thirteen Course Units: Unit Seven Mexican Film

(4/30-5/06) Watch: Los Olvidados (1950)
Read: As Assigned in Course Unit
Assignment: Question #10

Week Fourteen Final Exam

(5/07-5/11)