CINE 102: Introduction to Contemporary Cinema

Instructor Katharine Mahalic (feel free to call me Katie)

Email [email protected] / [email protected]

Office hours Monday, 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM and by appointment

see Zoom link on ilearn
any and all passwords needed for class will be: cinefilm

Course Time: Asynchronous - Weekly Lectures will upload every Monday at NOON
along with all lectures, quizzes and exams for each week

___________________________________________________________________________

Course Description

This survey course provides an introduction to the study of contemporary cinema. For the purposes of this
course “contemporary” is regarded as cinema from the 1970’s onward. As a survey course, we will be
reviewing a small sample of films from some of the major film-producing countries. The films selected
are some of the most celebrated of this century but also illustrate trends in contemporary cinema. These
films demonstrate innovations in cinematic practices and/or are representative of major sociopolitical
concerns. They are each in their own way singular achievements.

Course Objectives
Students will gain familiarity with some of the most celebrated and influential films of the past century as
they become increasingly fluent in the language of Cinema. The “how” of cinema and the ways in which
specific techniques contribute not only to a film’s narrative (its story) but to its meaning as well. Students
will learn various ways to contextualize and analyze films: historically, economically, socially,
philosophically, and technologically. Further, students will learn about the various film genres and how
those genres differ across time and cultures. Finally, students will be encouraged to reflect on their own
viewing practices.

Course-specific student learning outcomes (SLOs) or competencies for the course

When a student has completed this course, they will be able to discuss cinema and its various constructs
in an academic and scholarly manner Student will have obtained a new vernacular permitting them to
explore, understand and deconstruct cinematic theories and paradigms in a scholastic fashion. There new
found vocabulary will allows students to have an in-depth understanding of editing techniques, cinematic
shots, lighting and mine en scene. Students will have acquired knowledge of a diverse and inclusive body
of artist and also learn to apply the films they see to the constructs of society while also thinking about
how cinema relates to social justice.
Description of the teaching methods to be employed:
- Online lecture / video given by instructor, links to various learning sites, videos and readings via
articles, newspapers, trade magazines, and podcasts.

- Forums help generate thoughtful discussion between classmates, G.A.’s and instructors.
- Quizzes provide low-stake formative evaluation (quizzes can be taken up to three times and in many
cases, until the student is happy with the score.) Quizzes keep students accountable for the reading, film
screenings and other material.
- Screenings: Film screenings provide our base content in which we will expand our learning from after
watching.
Readings and Materials:
Texts and materials to be used throughout the course. All learning materials - readings, podcasts and
videos are supplied via ilearn.
Program Learning Outcomes - http://bulletin.sfsu.edu/colleges/liberal-creative-arts/cinema/ba-cinema/

The B.A. in Cinema’s learning objectives strive to enable students to:

1. Acquire basic skills in the critical analysis of films, focused by the analysis of representative film
texts from a range of periods and cultures.

2. Relate cinema to the production, distribution, and exhibition industries, the other arts, and to
society.

3. Identify contemporary technological, artistic, and industrial trends in the cinematic arts.

4. Acquire the basic technical skills necessary for cinematic expression (animation, filmmaking, and
screenwriting).

5. Locate personal voice in the creation of the cinematic arts.

6. Produce competent and sustained research papers evidencing knowledge of major topics,
theories, and methods.

Student Learning Outcomes - https://cinema.sfsu.edu/content/undergraduate-program

The B.A. in Cinema’s learning objectives strive to enable students to:

• Acquire basic skills in the critical analysis of films, focused by the analysis of representative film
texts from a range of periods and cultures.
• Relate cinema to the production, distribution and exhibition industries, the other arts and to
society.
• Identify contemporary technological, artistic and industrial trends in the cinematic arts.
• Acquire the basic technical skills necessary for cinematic expression (animation, filmmaking and
screenwriting).
• Locate personal voice in the creation of the cinematic arts.
• Produce competent and sustained research papers evidencing knowledge of major topics, theories
and methods.

2
**Courses within the University-wide requirements (i.e., General Education and overlay
requirements) In support of the university baccalaureate degree requirements policy and undergraduate
baccalaureate goals, additional information will be required on all undergraduate course syllabi proposed
for inclusion in the GE program, including:

• the student learning outcomes [SLOs] for the GE area (and/or overlay{s}) for which the course is
seeking certification;
• course-specific student learning outcomes; and;
• linkage of all SLOs (GE area, overlay, and course-specific) to the activities and/or assignments
students will complete to demonstrate they have met those SLOs.

Course Resources and Policies

Academic Support: Tutoring is available free of charge at the Learning Assistance Center (LAC). LAC
tutoring is provided by SF State graduate and undergraduate students who are supervised by SF State
faculty members. For further information, see the LAC website, lac.sfsu.edu

Syllabus addenda relating COVID-19:

Your health and safety is our paramount concern at SF State. During the COVD-19 pandemic, every
member of our Gator community is expected to do their part in keeping fellow students, faculty, and staff
safe and well. Feeling well and safe will support you in focusing on your academic success.
For the limited number of classes meeting face-to-face, In-person class attendance is an option, but not a
requirement. Students who do not wish to or are unable to comply with these requirements will be
allowed to take the class virtually or provided with other remote options for course completion
Please consult the campus plan website (https://news.sfsu.edu/campus-plan) for up-to-date information
and explanation of requirements. For all students attending in-person, the following are required:
1. Wear a face covering when around other people outside of those in your household.
2. Stay at least 6 feet physically distant from people outside the members of your household.
3. Stay home if you have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 (Please check in with the SF DPH
website for the most up-to-date symptoms & testing: https://www.sfcdcp.org/wp-content/uploads/
2020/04/GetTestedSF-Eng-052920.pdf)
4. If you would like to discuss reasonable accommodations based on disability related to COVID-19,
please contact the Disability Programs & Resource Center: [email protected]
Information is changing rapidly, as our health professionals, scholars, and researchers are learning more
about COVID-19, and as such, we encourage you to frequently check your San Francisco State University
email account and https://news.sfsu.edu/campus-plan/students-families for the most current information.
· You are encouraged to keep your emergency information updated on Campus Solutions in order to
receive campus emergency alerts: https://upd.sfsu.edu/ENSFAQ
· You are also encouraged to provide your contact information to receive city of SF emergency alerts,
including COVID-19 updates and instructions for public safety: https://sfdem.org/get-city-
alerts
· If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 or your own health during this time, please reach out
to Student Health Services: https://health.sfsu.edu
· If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are encouraged to connect with our on-campus health
professionals in Counseling & Psychological Services: https://caps.sfsu.edu
· If you are looking for education on how to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy, then reach out
to our Health Promotion & Wellness Team: https://wellness.sfsu.edu

University Accessibility Statement

Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor.
The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable
accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the Student Service Building and can be reached by
telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email ([email protected]).
3
Student Disclosures of Sexual Violence
SF State fosters a campus free of sexual violence including sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating
violence, stalking, and/or any form of sex or gender discrimination. If you disclose a personal experience
as an SF State student, the course instructor is required to notify the Title IX Coordinator by completing
the report form available at http://titleix.sfsu.edu, emailing [email protected] or calling 338-2032.
To disclose any such violence confidentially, contact:
• The SAFE Place - (415) 338-2208;
• Counseling and Psychological Services Center - (415) 338-2208; http://psyservs.sfsu.edu/
• For more information on your rights and available resources: [http://titleix.sfsu.edu]

For more information on your rights and available resources: [http://titleix.sfsu.edu]

This policy replaces Academic Senate Policy #S10-257 (Policy on Course Syllabi) and
Academic Senate Policy #F07-244 (Syllabus Disability Statement.

Policy on Observance of Religious Holidays:

The faculty of San Francisco State University shall accommodate students wishing to observe religious
and cultural holidays when such observances require students to be absent from class activities. It is the
responsibility of the student to inform the instructor, in writing, about such holidays during the first two
weeks of the class each semester. If such holidays occur during the first two weeks of the semester, the
student must notify the instructor, in writing, at least three days before the date that they will be absent. It
is the responsibility of the instructor to make every reasonable effort to honor the student request without
penalty, and of the student to make up the work missed.

Academic Honesty:
Any form of cheating—including plagiarism (the act of copying, stealing, or passing off someone
else’s ideas or words as one’s own without crediting the original source)—is against university policy
and strictly prohibited. Plagiarism or cheating of any kind is punishable by a zero grade.

Departmental Policies: https://webapps.sfsu.edu/public/webcalendar/acad/cal/today/week/20223

Late Work Policy - Please read - as it is meant to assist you during these trying times:
• All work is due one week from when it is assigned

• All readings, screenings, quizzes, homework, and assignments are assigned on Monday at noon of every
week - meaning ALL readings, screenings, quizzes, homework, and assignments are due the following
Monday after it is assigned unless stated otherwise within the assignment.
• HOWEVER - there is a caveat... the due dates are actually simply a recommended due to help you stay
on task. You may hand in all assignments with no late penalty up until May 16th at NOON before you take
your final exam.

• I have taken this late work policy approach during these trying times of the pandemic, to mitigate some
of the anxiety and inequity that many are experiencing at this moment. I want you to learn in my class, but
most importantly ENJOY while you LEARN. This is a level 100 class that should inspire you to see the
world from new perspectives, rather than stress you out on passing or failing.

• That being said - the due dates I am recommending will help you stay on task and not become
overwhelmed with piled-up work. Please try to hand in work by the due date that is recommended - as you
will be better off for it and get the most out of the class in regards to learning and retention.
• After May 16th - do NOT ask if you can hand in late work, take a quiz late or do the midterm late. The
answer will be no (without proper documentation from a doctor or mental health professional.)
4
• The final must also be done during the week it is open / no exceptions for without proper
documentation from a doctor or mental health professional. (Final opens May 16th at NOON)
Point Breakdown:

Homework and Non-Weekly Forums: (5 points per each assignment)

Weekly Forums: (5 points each)

Forums are required activities and will open by Monday @ noon for each week.

Weekly Quizzes (10 points each)

You will see that most weeks will have a weekly quiz. Quizzes are worth ten points. They are open
book. You can also work with your classmates when doing a quiz. Quiz’s are allowed to be retaken up to
three times and the highest grade will be recorded.

Midterm and Final Exam: (50 points each) The midterm and final are accumulative in regard to
information learned up to that point in class. Each exam is worth 50 points. Quizzes and only the
midterm exam can be taken late. The final must be taken on-time.

Course grade breakdown

Intro Points:
(5 points)
Before week 1 you will be asked to go through a list of questions under the WELCOME section. These
questions must be completed before the midterms to get all 5 points.
Assignment 1 (15 total)
Assignment 1 Create Assignment and post in Glossary (5 pts) Due: Week 2 Mon by noon
Assignment 1.2 Who are the directors? Share in Forum (5 pts) Due: Week 3 Mon by noon
Assignment 1.3 Introduce yourself to your forum Group (5 pts) Due: Week 3 Mon by noon
Quizzes (145 total)
syllabus quiz 5 pts (This quiz is the only quiz due by Week 8 midterms)
14 weekly quizzes / 10 points each)
All quizzes are permitted to be attempted 3 times. Highest grade will be recorded.

Forums 135 points (Forum posts are worth 4 points. Replies are worth 1 pt.)
Week 1 forum 05 pts (Stand by Me)
Week 2 forums 10 pts (Jaws)

Begin Group Forums

Week 3 begin Group Forums 2 forums 10 pts (The Godfather Part 1)
Week 4 2 forums 10 pts (It’s All Gone Pete Tong)

Week 5 2 forum 10 pts (Chasing Amy)

Week 6 2 forum 10 pts (The Virgin Suicides)

Week 7 2 forum 10 pts (Stand and Deliver)

Week 8 2 forums 10 points (13th)

Week 9 2 forums 10 points (The Blair Witch Project)

Week 10 2 forums 10 points (Amélie)

Week 11 2 forum 10 pts (Raise the Red Lantern)

Week 12 2 forum 10 pts (Smoke Signals)

Week 13 2 forum 10 pts (Moonlight)

Week 14 2 forum 10 pts (Little Miss Sunshine)
5
Midterm Exam 50 points (no retakes)

Final Exam 50 points (no retakes)

Total Points Possible: 400

Midterm and final exams will consist primarily of multiple-choice identifications and possible fill in the blank questions.
Exams are based on all available material provided on ilearn. Thorough descriptions of each exam will be provided as the
examination date approaches. The midterm and final are open book and each allow for 1 attempt until
the closing date.

Course Requirements / How the Class works:

Screenings:
You are responsible for watching the films on your own time. Films become available each week Monday at Noon.

All films are on ilearn. However, ,ost, if not all films, can also be found on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or Vudu as well as other
streaming platforms.

Note: Feel free to do readings before or after you screen the films. I feel this is personal in regards to how you prefer to
learn and take in information.

Lectures:
All lectures for will post by Monday @ noon for each week.

Readings and Required Listening:

All readings have been posted in advance. There maybe a few instances where additional listening or reading is added at my
discretion. Should this happen, I will also notify the class via email. All course readings will be made available on iLearn as
PDFs or URLs. You do not need a textbook for this class.

Check marks: I do not grade on whether or not you receive a check mark. The check marks are for your use only. (At times
they do not show - they seem to be glitchy. I am sorry for the annoyance of that issue and it is out of my control.

Due Dates:
Homework / Reading:/ Lectures/ Quizzes / Forums: due one week from the Monday it is assigned (Monday at NOON
weekly.)

Forums / Quizzes and Assignments: You will notice two due dates - a recommended due date and a final due date.
Because this class is asynchronous, you can work at your own pace - however to get the most out of the class and
maximize information retention, please aim to have all assignments handed in by the suggested / recommended due date
given each week. There will be no acceptance of late work past the cut off date of May 16th @ NOON without
proper documentation.

How to hand in work after the suggested due date:… if you are unable to do a forum post or an assignment by the
suggested due date, please notify your forum leader with an email when you have completed the assignment or forum.
(Meaning - AFTER you have completed the assignment.) Copy your instructor on the email.

Title your email: Late work / Forum “Week ___” or Late Work / Assignment Name
In the body of the email, include a direct link to your post if possible

Midterm Exam opens on 03/07 and is expected to be taken by 03/14 @ noon. To provide an
incentive to stay on top of your studies, 2 points will be added to your midterm score if you
choose to take it by 03/14 at noon.

Midterm will close permanently on 05/16 at NOON and can no longer be taken for credit.

Final Exam opens on 05/16 at NOON. Final Exam closes on Friday 05/23 at NOON.

6
Expectations:
• Complete screenings on own time
• Finishing weekly assignments by the following Monday they are assigned (by noon)
• Completion of all assignments on time. College level thought and inquiry. Open receptivity to new
concepts and ideas.
• Take weekly quizzes on time
• Interact and engage authentically and genuinely in forums
• Language and interaction within the forum that is respectful of all. Hate speech will not be tolerated.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 1:
Screening: Stand by Me
Directed by Rob Reiner 1986 ‧ 1h 29m
Adventure/Drama
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 1

Week 2:

Screening: Jaws
Directed by Steven Spielberg 1975 ‧ 2h 10m
Horror/Thriller
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 2

Week 3:
Screening: The Godfather Part 1
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola 1972 ‧ 2h 58m
Crime/Crime
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 3

Week 4:
Screening: It's All Gone Pete Tong
Directed by Michael Dowse 2004 ‧ 1h 30m

Comedy/Indie film
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 4

Week 5:
Screening: Chasing Amy
Directed by Kevin Smith 1997 ‧ 1h 53m
Romance/Comedy ‧ 1h 53m
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 5

7
Week 6:
Screening: The Virgin Suicides
Directed by Sofia Coppola 1999 ‧ 1h 37m
Drama/Romance
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 6

Week 7
MIDTERM EXAM will be POSTED AND LIVE at 12:00 PM on Monday of this Week -"Open
Book" / Working in Assigned Groups is Permitted

Week 8:
Screening: Stand and Deliver
Directed by Ramón Menéndez 1988 ‧ 1h 43m
Drama
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 8

Spring Break - Week 09

Week 10:
Screening: 13th
Directed by Ava DuVernay 2016 ‧ 1h 40m
Documentary
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 10

Week 11:
Screening: The Blair Witch Project
Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánche 1999 ‧ 1h 45m
Horror / Thriller
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 11

Week 12:
Screening: Amélie
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet 2001 ‧ 2h 9m
Romance/ Rom-com
Reading:
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 12

Week 13:
Screening: Ra ise the Red Lantern
Lantern Directed by Zhang Yimou 1991 ‧ 2h 6m
Drama
8
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 13
Week 14:
Screening: Smoke Signals
Directed by Chris Eyre 1998 ‧ 1h 29m
Indie film/Drama
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 14

Week 15:
Screening: Moonlight
Directed by Barry Jenkins 2016 ‧1 h 51m
Drama/LGBTQ
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 15

Week 16:
Screening: Little Miss Sunshine
Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris. 2006 ‧ 1h 42m
Comedy/Drama
Please see readings, listening materials, videos and lectures listed on ilearn in Week 16

**Note: While I intend to stay as faithful to this syllabus as possible, I reserve the right to make
changes at any time to accommodate the evolving needs and interests of the class. Changes will always
be announced in class prior to the date they take effect. Absent students are responsible for changes
announced in class.

Welcome to the Spring Semester of 2022

Please print this last page and sign the below statement. If you cannot print - please sign digitally by
copying and pasting the final page of this syllabus in a document or email body, and type your name
and date accordingly.

A graduate assistant for this class will email you in Week 2 providing directions of where to send a
signed copy.

I, _____________________________-(your name) have read this syllabus, and understand the

information presented as well as due dates for readings, screenings and assignments / forums /
quizzes. I also am aware and understand the SFSU guidelines, academic integrity statement and code
of conduct.

______________________________________ (your signature) ___________________ (date)