CURRICULUM MAP: 10005.map

English Senior Elective: Film Study (ACP/SCP/GEN) 175, 176, 198
Overview

TIME FRAME: 1 quarter (9 weeks)
GRADE: 12
CONTACT:

         MAP LEVEL: 4

23.1 LANGUAGE ARTS - READING AND RESPONDING --- 23.1.1.9.5 --- 23.1.2.9.2 --- 23.1.2.9.4 --- 23.1.2.9.5 --- 23.1.2.9.6 --- 23.1.3.9.4
23.1 LANGUAGE ARTS - READING AND RESPONDING --- 23.1.3.9.5 --- 23.1.4.9.1 --- 23.1.4.9.2
23.2 LANGUAGE ARTS - EXPLORE AND RESPOND TO LITER --- 23.2.1.9.1 --- 23.2.1.9.3 --- 23.2.1.9.4 --- 23.2.2.9.2 --- 23.2.3.9.2 --- 23.2.3.9.3
23.2 LANGUAGE ARTS - EXPLORE AND RESPOND TO LITER --- 23.2.4.9.3 --- 23.2.4.9.5 --- 23.2.4.9.6
23.3 LANGUAGE ARTS - COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS --- 23.3.1.9.1 --- 23.3.1.9.3 --- 23.3.2.9.1 --- 23.3.2.9.2 --- 23.3.2.9.3




What is "cineliteracy"?

How has technology affected the storytelling abilities and techniques of film?

What directorial decisions and cinematic techniques are effectively utilized in the aesthetics of classic and contemporary films?






This course is an introduction to film study. Students learn to respond critically to films during second and subsequent viewings, as they are introduced to a vocabulary of cinematography. They begin to examine the aesthetic, as well as the entertainment aspects of film. Students will also learn to express their views in film analysis papers.




Students will develop and display:
-- "Cineliteracy" by learning and practicing basic critical viewing theory, and identifying cinematic terms and techniques,
-- The ability to view and analyze films and discuss critical responses to each film,
-- The ability to compose, on a weekly basis, critical analysis papers,
-- An appreciation for the art of cinema,
-- The ability to define, identify, and explain the function of a variety of film terms.




All students will watch a film a week, and view again selected scenes during which time they will be given the opportunity to discuss directional choices and cinematic techniques.

All students will be provided with a model of a critical film paper.

All students will write a 1-2 page paper which analyzes an aspect of a viewed film.

Students taking the course for ACP credit will write an additional paper which compares and contrasts a film watched in class with another film of their choice.






Assessment will be based on the following:
-- Weekly journal responses to films viewed in class,
-- Formal writing: a 300-500 word critical paper analyzing a specific shot or sequence or cinematic technique for films viewed,
-- Student- and teacher-generated questioning and discussion, quizzes and homework assignments,
-- Class participation and presentation.

ACP only:
-- Formal writing: a 3-5 page paper comparing and contrasting an independently viewed film with one from the curriculum.







As time allows, students may also study screenplays, storyboarding, the history of film, and/or technology in films.




An assortment of classical and contemporary films will be selected by each instructor of the class. The many include some of the following:
Nosfartu
All Quiet on the Western Front
King Kong (1933)
Casablanca
Psycho
The Rear Window
Cool Hand Luke
The Sixth Sense
The Others
Jaws
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Wizard of Oz
King Kong (2005)
The Skycap of the World





This course is offered at the ACP, SCP and General level.

This class does not satisfy the literature quarter-course requirement for seniors.