Understanding Movies | 영화의이해

English Language and Literature Department | 영어영문학과

Spring 2024

Realism in World Cinema:

South Korea, India, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States
Course Information
Class Time:
화/Tuesday: 2:00PM-3:50PM
목/Thursday:4:00PM-4:50 PM
Classroom: 인문대학 1 호관
401
Instructor: Dr. Matthew
Herzog
Email: matthew@jbnu.ac.kr
Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description
This course will examine the genre of realism in world cinema by looking at different
instances of realist film from around the world. Students will be introduced to the basics of
film analysis. Films will include, Shin Sang Ok’s A Flower in Hell (지옥화) (South Korea),
Mrinal Sen’s Wedding Day (বাইশে শ্রাবণ) (Bangladesh), Mark Semyonovich Donskoi’s The
Village Teacher (Сельская учительница) (Russia), François Truffaut”s The 400 Blows (Les
Quatre Cents Coups) (France), Ken Loach’s Family Life (United Kingdom), Herbert
Biberman’s The Salt of the Earth (United States), and Park Kwang-Su’s A Single Spark (
아름다운 청년 전태일) (South Korea). All films will be presented in the original language with
English subtitles. The course itself will be project based. Students will keep a film notebook
throughout the course and reflect on their notes and the films at the end of the semester.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:
 Gain knowledge of world cinema and realist filmmaking
 Comprehend basic elements of film: shots, camera movement, etc.
 Understand film production roles: producer, director, writer, etc.
 Develop basic film analysis skills through podcasting and video reviews
 Cultivate digital literacy and engage in reflective learning

Required Course Materials

Readings will be available online on LMS. All readings should either be printed off or
downloaded on a tablet device or laptop and brought to class. Phones are not replacement
devices for having our reading on hand. Students will need to refer to readings in class and
either need a hard copy or a tablet/laptop version.

Students should always come prepared to class with pens and/or pencils, a folder and a
notebook, or tablet device. Phones are not substitute note taking devices. If students are not
coming to class properly prepared or constantly relying on their phones, then phones may be
banned in class or I will institute checks on whether students are bringing the appropriate
materials to class.
*The Film Notes assignment requires that students bring a paper notebook with
them to all film screenings.

Grade Break-down
 In-Class Exercises and Film Notes: 30%
 Midterm Project: 35%
 Final Project: 35%

Course Policies
 Attendance: Students are allowed SIX absences without penalty. One Absence =
One Hour of Class. If you miss both hours of our Tuesday class, you will receive two
absences. Seven absences will result in a failing grade for the course. It is up to
students to manage their absences and properly use them by planning ahead for
sickness, extra-curricular activities, doctor’s appointments, course work and studying
for other classes etc. No excused absences will be allowed, except in the most extreme
situations (death in the family, confirmed COVID diagnoses, extreme injury, military
service, etc.).
 Late Policy: arriving to class more than 10 minutes late for any hour will count as
an absence. If you are not in class when I do attendance, it is your job to make sure
you have not been marked absent.
 Group Work Policy: In class we will engage in group work activities. It is up to
students to find group members and begin working. These are not optional activities.
Students who choose to not participate in group work activities will be marked absent.
 Break Policy: Longer class periods will have a 10-minute break. Students should
return by the end of the 10-minute period. All other breaks (bathroom, etc.) should
also be about 10 minutes. If students abuse the break policy, they may be marked
absent.

Assignments
 Exercises: These assignments will often be done in groups. If there are problems with
students forming their own groups, then groups will be assigned.
 Film Notes: Students will be asked to keep a handwritten “Film Notes” notebook.
After each film viewing, students will digitize their notes (scan or take a picture of
them) and post them on LMS.
 Midterm Project: For the mid-term project students will get into groups of 2-3 and
create a film review podcast where they discuss and compare at least two of the films
that we have engaged with up this point in the class.
 Final Project: For the final project students will do a video review of one of the films
that we have watched this semester. We will discuss proper video techniques and
possible methods for recording your video review.

Plagiarism and Cheating

 Writing is the composition of your own ideas in your own words.

Cheating - is the copying and use of others’ work as your own on an individual quiz,
homework, or test.

Plagiarism - is the copying and use of others’ work as your own on a written paper or take-
home exam.

IF YOU ARE FOUND TO BE CHEATING OR PLAGARIZING, YOU WILL RECEIVE

AN AUTOMATIC ZERO ON THE ASSIGNMENT. NO SECOND CHANCES WILL BE
GIVEN TO REDO THE ASSIGNMENT.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT CHEATING OR PLAGIARIZING TWO TIMES, YOU WILL

RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC FAILING GRADE IN THE COURSE.

We will discuss what counts as plagiarism before you begin writing papers. In turn, there will
be no excuses if you are caught cheating or plagiarizing.

NOTE: My classes are based on the central value of hard work. If you work hard and
honestly in the class, you will receive a decent grade. If you do not work hard, if you are
absent beyond the allotted amount or do not hand in assignments, if you do not do the
readings, if you cheat or plagiarize, or all of those combined, you will not receive a good
grade.

Translation Software and AI Composition Software Usage

1. Translation software is not a substitute for writing. Translation software may be used to
translate individual words or phrases. It is not to be used to write in one language and
then translate a whole paragraph or essay into another language.
① Student must obtain permission from the instructor for usage of translation software
beyond the sentence level.
2. Any unauthorized use of ChatGPT or other AI writing software is strictly prohibited in
this class. These forms of software are new and untested. Moreover, AI produced content
cannot be copyrighted under law because it is not produced by human intelligence - the
development of which is the point of university education!
① Students should consult with the instructor about any confusion they have in regards
to this software. Usage without consultation puts you in a position to fail the course.

Spoken English Usage and Inclusion

This is a class that will be delivered in English. In order to promote an inclusive learning
environment, I require that students use English at all times, specifically, in both class
discussion and group work situations. Our classroom is an international space with students
from many different parts of the world and we need to make sure everyone can fully
participate.

English Proficiency Statement

This is a film course. English is our language of communication and not a language I am here
to test you on. Thus, I am not concerned with English proficiency. Again, what I ask for is
hard work. What I would like to see is students trying their best to talk and write in English.
 Course Schedule:
**Work listed in the Assignment column is due the next class period. For example, work
listed in the row for 3/5 is meant to be completed for class on 3/7.

Week Date Topic Assignments – Available on LMS

Week 1 3/5 Introduction  Shots – Ultimate Guide to
Camera Shots – Youtube Link
 Camera Movement – Ultimate
Guide to Camera Movement –
Youtube Link – 0:00-12:00
only
3/7 Film Terms and Active Raymond Williams and Realism –
Watching Strategies Infographic - LMS
Week 2 3/12 History of Realism and War,
Revolution, and Everyday
People
3/14 Mark Donskoi and Maria “The Many Health Perks of Good
Smirnova Handwriting” - LMS
Week 3 3/19 The Village Teacher Mrinal Sen Biography - LMS
(Сельская учительница)
3/21 Mrinal Sen
Film Notes #1 Due on LMS
Week 4 3/26 Wedding Day (বাইশে শ্রাবণ) Look over Shin Sang Ok’s Page on
Google Arts and Culture – Click Here
3/27 Shin Sang Ok
Film Notes #2 Due on LMS
Week 5 4/2 A Flower in Hell (지옥화)
4/4 Review of the course Read: “A Brief History of
Film Notes #3 Due on LMS Podcasting” – LINK
Week 6 4/9 Mid-Term Project Read “Podcast Concept and Format”
– LMS
Watch Audacity tutorial – Youtube
LINK
Download Audacity
4/11 Mid-Term Project Work on Mid-Term Project

Week 7 4/16 Mid-Term Project Work on Mid-Term Project

4/18 Mid-Term Project “The Welfare State” - LMS

Week 8 4/23 Family, Education and The “Interview with Tony Garnett and
State Ken Loach” - LMS

4/25 Ken Loach Work on Mid-Term Project

Week 9 4/30 Mid-Term Project Due – Truffaut Documentary – Part 1 –
Post on LMS by Midnight Youtube Link
Family Life
 5/2 François Truffaut
Film Notes #4 Due on LMS
Week 5/7 The 400 Blows (Les Quatre The Hollywood Blacklist – Youtube
10 Cents Coups) Link

5/9 One of the Hollywood Ten Herbert Biberman Bio – LMS

Film Notes #5 Due on LMS
Week 5/14 One of the Hollywood Ten Korea Times – “The History of Anti-
11 And Herbert Biberman Communism in South Korea” –
Article Link
5/16 Dissidence and Censorship in
the US and South Korea
Week 5/21 Salt of the Earth Park Kwang-Su Interview – Youtube
12 Link – 0:00 – 20:00
5/23 Park Kwang-Su “Remembering the life of Jeon Tae-il
Film Notes #6 Due on LMS and his sacrifice 49 years ago” –
Hankyoreh Article - Link
Week 5/28 A Single Spark (아름다운 청년
13 전태일)
5/30 Course Review “6 Tips for filming on your phone” -
Film Notes #7 Due on LMS LMS
Week 6/4 Final Project Work on Final Project
14
6/6 Holiday – No Class Work on Final Project
Week 6/11 Final Project Work on Final Project
15
6/13 No Class – Work on Final Work on Final Project
Project
Week 6/18 Final Project Due – Post on
16 LMS at Midnight