HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIN-1502.21.2023 rev
Bergen Community College
Division of Humanities
Department of Communication
Cinema Studies
Syllabus
CIN-150 Special Topics in Cinema I
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: 2005
Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester__x__ Other_________________
Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________
(Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________
by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: _X___ Date:2005_________
Semester and Year:
Course and Section Number: CIN-150-001
Meeting Times and Locations: TBD
Instructor:
Office Location: West Hall 313
Phone: 201-493-3533
Departmental/Division Secretary: Shailly Majahan
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
CIN-150 permits specialized topics in cinema to be studied in depth. Topics offered have included, but are
not limited to: Hollywood in the 1970's, film genres, horror film, science fiction film, and Latin American
cinema.
Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 4 (2 Lecture/2 Lab)
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None
General Education Course: No
Diversity Course: No
2.21.2023 rev
Student Learning Objectives & Means of Assessment
Objectives: Upon successful completion, the
student will be able to:
Means of Assessment: This outcome will be
measured by one or more of the following:
1) Investigate and analyze various cinematic
works
Tests/quizzes, written responses to essay prompts,
class discussions
2) Demonstrate knowledge of the major
figures, trends, and theories associated
with the subject matter of the specific
course topic
Tests/quizzes, written responses to essay prompts,
class discussions
3) Apply critical viewing, thinking, and writing
skills to specific cinematic works
Written responses to essay prompts, class
discussions
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
Textbook:
Texts related to each special topic will be chosen by the instructor of the course
Examples from the Special Topic Hollywood in the 1970's:
Kirshner, Jonathan, Hollywood's Last Golden Age: Politics, Society and Seventies Film in
America, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 2012
Berliner, Todd, Hollywood Incoherent: Narration in Seventies Cinema, University of Texas Press,
Austin, 2010
Supplemental materials including but not limited to readings, films, print or online sources to be determined
at the discretion of the instructor.
2.21.2023 rev
Course Content
The following is an example of course content of a special topic:
*Taken from “Prof. Gregg Biermann's Hollywood in the 1970's Course Guide”
Changes to the industry after the collapse of “old Hollywood”
Counterculture and American Cinema
Poetics of auteurism in 1970's Hollywood
Genre film revisionism in “new Hollywood”
Paranoia and Conspiracy: Nixon and Watergate
The shadow of the war in Vietnam
Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s)
Writing Activity:
Students in this course will be assigned a variety of writing assignments that include but are not limited to
reading and learning reflections, short- and long-format essays and analyses, essay examinations, and
oral histories. Writing assignments will draw from assigned course material, lecture, and, where applicable,
outside research.
Student Evaluation:
Student grades will be based on a variety of different assessment measures such as writing assignments,
tests and quizzes, and larger research papers.
Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each
section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance
will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
2.21.2023 rev
Attendance policies are to be determined by the instructor.
Student and Faculty Support Services
Students: Portal Access & Moodle https://bergen.edu/portalhelp/access-moodle/
or email citl@bergen.edu or helpdesk@bergen.edu
IT Help Desk 201-879-7109
Cerullo Learning Assistance Center
Writing Center
Tutoring Center
Room L-125
201-447-7489
https://bergen.edu/tutoring/tutoring-center/
https://bergen.edu/tutoring/writing-center/
The Sidney Silverman Library Room L-226
201-447-7436 (Reference Desk)
201-879-7970 (Service Desk)
https://bergen.edu/library/
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements
Accommodations for Disabilities:
Bergen Community College aims to create inclusive learning environments where all students have maximum
opportunities for success. Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the
impact of a disability should contact the Office of Specialized Services at 201-612-5269 or via email at
ossinfo@bergen.edu for assistance.
Statement on Mental Health and Wellbeing:
Mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a
student's ability to participate in daily activities. Bergen Community College has licensed Personal Counselors
available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing.
You can learn more about the confidential mental health services available on campus via the Health and
Wellness Center at www.bergen.edu/personalcounseling
Sample Course Outline
and Calendar (example
taken from the topic
Hollywood in the 1970's
Week Topics & Readings Assignments
1
Course Introduction
Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper (1969)
Read Prologue,
Chapter 1 & 2 in
Kirshner
2 Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Paul Mazursky (1969) Read Ch4 Kirshner
3 Midnight Cowboy, John Schlesinger (1969) Read Ch 5 Berliner
2.21.2023 rev
(up to pp 126)
4
Five Easy Pieces, Bob Rafelson (1970)
Read Ch 1 & 2 in
Berliner Ch 3
Kirshner
5 The French Connection, William Friedkin (1971) Read Ch 4 Berliner
Ch 5 Kirshner
6
The Exorcist, William Friedkin, (1973) Read Ch 5 Berliner
(from pp 126) Essay
1 Due
7 The Godfather, Part 2, Francis Ford Coppola (1974) Read Ch 3, Berliner,
QUIZ
8 The Conversation, Francis Ford Coppola (1974) Read Ch 6 in
Kirshner (to pp 150)
Week Topics & Readings Assignments
9 Chinatown, Roman Polanski (1974) Ch 7 in Kirshner
10
Three Days of the Condor, Sydney Pollack (1975) Read Ch 6 Kirshner
(from pp 150) QUIZ
2
11 All The President's Men, Alan Pakula (1976) Essay 2 Due
12 Taxi Driver, Martin Scorsese (1976) Ch 6 Berliner
13
Coming Home, Hal Ashby (1978) Read Conclusion in
Berliner, Essay 3
Due
14 The Deer Hunter, Michael Cimino (1978) QUIZ 3
15 Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola (1979) Final Essay Due
2.21.2023 rev
Sample Course Requirements & Assignment Descriptions:
3 Quizzes on lectures, discussions and readings: 30% (10% each)
The quizzes will include questions on major topics and themes in the reading and in class
lectures/discussion.
Film analysis essay assignments: 50% (10% each for 1-3 and 20% for Final)
One (2 page) film responses and one (4 page) final essay will be required. Essays will only be
accepted on turnitin.com.
Post film screening discussions 20%
Participation and citizenship will be graded on the basis of my subjective evaluation of the enthusiasm
and sensitivity of your comments as well as your respect for the films, readings, other students and
instructor.