DMS 213 IMMIGRATION AND FILM
State University of New York at BuffaloDepartment of Media StudyFall 2010T/R 11-12:50 CFA 232/112Instructor: Alba JaramilloOffice: CFA 287Office Hours: 1:20-2:20 Talbajara@buffalo.eduBy looking at representative examples of American and foreign films, this course willcritically examine the role of cinema in the construction and exploration of the racial, ethnic,cultural and social aspects of immigration. Initially, we will look at the history of immigration in relation to film industry as well as early portrayals of immigrants. We willcome across a wide range of film genres and take a closer look at stylistic and narrativechoices and how they visually construct immigrant identity in relation to family, society,race, and gender. Throughout the course we will consider the position of cinema in thedebate between assimilation and multiculturalism as well as recent visual narratives thatdelve on the issues of globalization and its close relationship to immigration.
Course Objectives
Students will become versed in an overview history of immigration in United States and howthe patterns, behavior and treatment of immigrants are portrayed in film. Students will learnconcrete skills of film analysis regarding how images are constructed to create meaning andhow this information permeates history, culture and art within the immigration purview.Students will learn how to support their work with visual and theoretical evidence of criticalinquiry relating to immigration. The aim of the course is to provide the student with anopportunity to develop your critical thinking and writing skills through class discussions,close readings of films and critical literature, as well as writing assignments.
Course Texts
Texts will be available online in PDF format at the course’s blog.
DMS 213 Immigration and Film is a theory-oriented course for which accuracy and masteryare essential. In general grades will be calculated as follows:
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Attendance and Participation
o
Attendance is mandatory - both physical and mental. This means that whilein class you will work in a diligent and professional manner showing respectto your instructor and your peers. You are allowed three unexcused absencesonly. Any more than three unexcused absences will lower your grade by oneletter. You will be responsible for making up all assignments and being briefed on any presentation of material. Excused absences must bedocumented in writing and brought to my attention before class.Chronic tardiness is entirely unacceptable and will be punishable at mydiscretion
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Participation will be evaluated in several ways. There will be weekly in-classinformal discussions where you will be divided into groups of 5 or 6 todiscuss a particular aspect of the visual and textual material. You must be anactive contributor to these discussions. Come prepared to class by having readthe material and have thoughtful input.
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There will also be weekly assignments posted on the course’s blog
http://dmsimmigrationandfilm.blogspot.com
/where you will respond to a specific question I post or you will ask a questionabout the assigned texts. Please check the blog often for any updates, news,links and information about the class. Keep in mind that in many instances, inclass discussions will be related to your posts, so make sure your postsdemonstrate critical observation of the texts and films. You are allowed tomiss only 2 of the assigned posts during the whole semester without havingyour grade suffer.
Troubleshooting: If you are unable to access the website or cannotopen a document, please email me with enough anticipation so I cantake into account your comments and/or forward you the material.
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Midterm: An in-class midterm will evaluate the student on concepts covered duringthe first half of the semester.
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Oral Presentation: You will be divided in groups of 3 or 4 and present for 30-40minutes (10 minutes each) on the film assigned for that week. You must send me withanticipation (2 hours before class at the latest) an outline of your presentation. Allgroup members must participate equally in the making of the presentation. Althoughit will be up to you to meet outside of class, I may designate in some cases some classtime to coordinate work distribution among the group.
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Final Paper: You will complete a 6-8 page final paper on material covered during thesecond half of the semester (you may also do for example, a comparative analysis ona film screened during the first half of the semester and one screened during thesecond). I encourage you to look over the material in anticipation and meet with meduring office hours to discuss the topic of the paper or email me any questions youmight have. You must submit the paper topic by November 30
th
at the latest and must
have a draft by December 7
th
, in which you will pair up in class and review eachother’s papers. Final paper is due December 14
th
before 12 pm in my office.Attendance and Participation: 25%Midterm 25%Oral Presentation 25%Final Paper 25%Grading Scale in percentages94.100A80-82 B-69-65 D90.93A-77-79 C+64-0 F87.89B+73-76 C83-86 B70-72 C-
Course Policies
NOTE: If you begin to experience inordinate difficulties with the course, or haveissues regarding the class that you want to discuss, please see the instructor as soon as possible. If notifying the instructor does not seem appropriate, seek assistance fromthe Academic Advisor for the Department of Media Study. If you wait until the endof the semester, the possibilities of being helped are less promising.General:
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Students who require special accommodations because of a diagnoseddisability should bring relevant documentation to the instructor and/or to theChair, who will oversee arrangements with assistance from the Office of Disabilities.
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Student athletes must provide an official letter with the dates of their meetsand travel days during the first weeks of classes. Make up quizzes and examsthat fall during those days must be rescheduled with the instructor at least 3days before departure. As a rule of thumb, we will administer make-ups andmove work deadlines to the day before the student leaves town.
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Students are expected to turn off and put away cell phones, pagers, iPods, CD players and computers before entering class.
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Students are not permitted to enter the classroom with any type of food.Please eat before or after class.
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Students are expected to follow the guidelines for appropriate behavior outlined in the University Catalog. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
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