TA 331U-001 Understanding Movies Spring 2017 Elisa Saturno Paasche

Office Hours: Mo 16.00-17.00 pm and by appointment, 247 Neuberger Hall Best contact: elisa2@pdx.edu

Course Description and Objectives This is an introductory course in film appreciation with special emphasis on cinema as a
dramatic art. Elements to be considered will include cinematography, performance, edited image, and sound.

Required Text Richard, Barsam and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies, 5th Edition, 2015

Assignments Assignments include films, film segments, and additional screenings; readings are to be prepared for the week
during which they are listed. The exams will cover readings, screenings, class discussion and lectures, and other assigned material.

Grading --Participation will improve your final course grade if you are at a grade “threshold”
--Exams 1 and 2; 331 formats vary and include true-false, multiple choice, short answer (50%)
--Final exam; 331 formats vary and include true-false, multiple choice, short answer (50%)

Scale: A=4 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B=3 B- = 2.7 C+ = 2.3

C=2 C- = 1.7 D+ = 1.3 D=1 D- = 0.7 F = .5

University and Course Policies If you are a student with a documented disability and registered with the Disability Resource
Center (DRC), please contact me immediately to facilitate arranging academic accommodations. If you are not registered with the
DRC, please contact that office to inquire about service eligibility. Any student who, because of religious beliefs, is unable to attend
classes on a particular day shall be excused from attendance requirements and from any examination or other assignment on that day.
The student shall make up the examination or other assignment missed because of the absence. Students should make arrangements
with their instructors prior to the holy day.

Plagiarism and cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students in accordance with Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility,
Procedures for Complaints of Academic Dishonesty. See http://www.pdx.edu/dos/conductcode.html. No late assignments and no class
disruptions (e.g., cell phones, text messaging, etc.). No email or phone discussions of grades or of attendance as per FERPA privacy
rights; please see me during office hours.

Requirements of this class may include class meetings, assignments and active in-class participation. E-mails will be used for class
announcements and online assignments. It is crucial that you check your email regularly. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to
get in touch with other colleagues per e-mail for assignments and info about what has been covered. For individual email
correspondence with me, please use elisa2@pdx.edu.

Week 1 M Course introduction Week 6 M Chs. 5-6 to p. 252

W The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, US, W The Rear Window (Alfred
1939, 101) Hitchcock, US, 1954, 112)

Week 2 M Chs. 1-2 to p. 57 Week 7 M Chs. 6-7 to p. 318

W Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, US, 1982, W Taxi Driver (Martin Scorsese, US,
119) 1976, 113)

Week 3 M Chs. 2-3 to p. 90 Week 8 M Exam 2 11/16

W Carlito’s Way (Brian De Palma, W Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, US,
US, 1993, 138) 1942, 102) Chs. 7-8 to p. 358

Week 4 M Exam 1 10/19 Week 9 M Chs. 8-9 to p. 410

W The Purple Rose of Cairo, (Woody W Play it again Sam (Herbert Ross,
Allen, US, 1985, 82) Chs. 3-4 to p. 145 US, 1972, 85)

Week 5 M Chs. 4-5 to p. 194 Week 10 M Chs. 9-10

W American Beauty (Sam W Citizen Kane (Welles. US, 1941,
Mendes,US, 1999, 122) 120)

Week 11 W Final 06/14, 12:30-14:20