About the Course

COMM 319 Systematically studies the elements used in cinema to create meaning. On the basis of a selection of movies and movie sequences and scenes, students learn, first of all, the narrative function of time, space, mise-en-scène, dialogue, or sound. We explore the semiotic units and combinations that constitute the filmic grammar. Fictional characters are deconstructed in order to understand how they are created and how they fulfill their narrative function. Finally, we analyze recurrent narrative motives, themes and genres. Goal of the course is to create awareness of these narrative elements, so that student can both better understand the filmic narrative and actively use them to create meaning through filmic story telling. The course should further help students identify ideological contents behind and beyond the audiovisual discourse.

Literature

We will work with a series or articles and books chapters (as opposed to an official textbook). All the information you need will be available in the learning units.

Four movies that will be mandatory in this course.

Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941) – one of the essay questions in the Midterm Exam will be about this movie.

Taxi Driver (Martin Scorsese, 1976) – the first written assignment will be based on this movie.

Nosferatu (Friedrich W. Murnau, 1929) – necessary for the second written assignment.

Apocalyse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979) – the third written assignment will be about this film.

Of those films, only Nosferatu can be watched online for free.

The other three movies are easily accessible. You can find them in most of the public libraries in our geographic area. You can also rent them in any of the popular video platforms (iTunes or Amazon Video) for a moderate price (around $3).

Grading Elements

Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	25%
1st Film Analysis Assignment	15%
2nd Film Analysis Assignment	15%
3rd Film Analysis Assignment	15%
Participation	10%

Exams

There will be a midterm and a final exam, which includes the contents of the whole course. Exams will cover the material you can find in the learning units of this Web-site. There will be no make-up exams (except for well documented medical emergencies).

The exams are a combination of true/false and multiple choice items and short essay questions.

Written assignments

In each paper, you will have to analyze an aspect of filmic narrative in one particular movie. Every individual paper cannot exceed 800 words. The written assignments must be delivered through the corresponding page in Blackboard Learn.

Participation:

The grade for participation will be based on an active and positive participation in the discussion forums posted in Blackboard Learn.

Late Assignments:

Late assignments will be graded so you receive feedback, but will be worth only half credit (100 pt. paper receives 50 points). This is a severe penalty; it is not fair to others who met the deadlines if we accept yours late.  The instructor will not accept any papers more than one week late. In the 21^st century, printer troubles or computer problems are no longer reasonable excuses for late papers. The instructor suggests knowing the equipment well enough and allowing ample time in case of problems.

Course Policies

The instructor reserves the ultimate right to modify the schedule of activities, assignments and tests for the class as it deems necessary. In addition, the professor reserves his right to assess the overall ability of the students to meet the expectations of the course and will exercise his right to pass or fail the student accordingly.

Incompletes

The University’s policy on the awarding of incompletes is discussed in the catalog and will be followed in this class.

Academic dishonesty

CCSU has a zero tolerance policy on academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on homework or exams, and also plagiarism. Demonstrated cases of academic dishonesty can result in severe penalties including receiving an “F” in the class.

To learn more about this subject, please read CCSU’s policy of academic misconduct at http://web.ccsu.edu/academicintegrity/

Special Needs

Please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs if you believe you need course accommodations based on the impact of a disability, medical condition, or if you have emergency medical information to share. I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations. Contact Student Disability Services, room 241, Copernicus Hall if you are not already registered with them. Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.

Tentative Course Outline:

Week	Course Contents
Week 0 8/27 to 8/30	Introduction to the Course
Week 1 9/2 to 9/6	Narrative Defined
Week 2 9/9 to 9/13	Narrative Communication Model
Week 3 9/16 to 9/20	Film Syntax / The Story First Written Assignment due 9/20
Week 4 9/23 to 9/27	Mise-en-Scène I
Week 5 9/30 to 10/4	Mise-en-Scène II
Week 6 10/7 to 10/11	Midterm Exam – Friday 10/11
Week 7 10/14 to 10/18	Events and Characters
Week 8 10/21 to 10/25	Narrative Space Second Written Assignment due 10/25
Week 9 10/28 to 11/1	Narrative Time
Week 10 11/4 to 11/8	Editing 1
Week 11 11/11 to 11/15	Editing 2 Third Written Assignment due 11/15
Week 12 11/18 to 11/22	Genres I and II
11/27 to 12/01	Thanksgiving Recess – No Classes
Week 13 12/2 to 12/6	Narrative Communication Theory
12/9 to 12/15	Final Exams

Important Dates

Date
8/26	Last day for full-time students to withdraw with 100% refund
8/27 to 9/3	Add/Drop period
9/3	Last day to change from part-time to full-time status. Last day for full-time students to withdraw from the university with 90% refund.
9/4 to 16	Full-time students may drop courses but cannot drop below full-time status.
9/9	Last day for part-time students to drop full semester course with 60% refund. Last day for full-time students to withdraw from the university with 60% refund.
9/16	Last day for part-time students to drop full semester course with 40% refund. Last day to drop full semester course without “W”. Last day to change from full-time to part-time status. Last day to declare pass/fail and audit options for full semester courses.
9/17 to 11/18	Withdrawal (no permission required) period for full semester course runs through November 17.
9/23	Last day for part-time students to withdraw from full semester course with 40% refund. Last day for full-time students to withdraw from the university with 40% refund.
10/21 to 11/1	Spring 2025 Advisement period
10/23	Winter Intersession 2024-2025, registration begins.
11/1 to 11/15	Spring 2025 Registration period for matriculated students.
11/18	Last day to withdraw from the University or from a course without permission.
11/19	Late course withdrawal form required to withdraw from full semester course (written permission of instructor and chairperson required).
12/2	Suggested priority deadline for undergraduates to apply for December 2025 graduation (Office of the Registrar).