"Classic" American Films is a fast-motion, chronological survey of some of the most interesting and important films produced in the United States. Most of the major genres will be covered, including the silent film, film noir, musical comedy, western, combat film, suspense thriller, gangster film, science fiction, and horror. We will also get to know a number of major directors, including Charles Chaplin, Michael Curtiz, Orson Welles, John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Francis Ford Coppola, Spike Lee, and Martin Scorsese. And we'll become familiar with many of the most celebrated film actors: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Gene Kelly, James Dean, Natalie Wood, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Martin Sheen, Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Marlon Brando, Robert DiNiro, Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ossie Davis, Lawrence Fishburne, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Spacey, and Annette Bening, among many others.

Every Tuesday night (usually 7-9, two other exceptions are noted in the schedule), we will view another "classic" on the big screen (or on the small one if your schedule has conflicts). Along the way, we'll try to define what is a "classic" film while considering how every film is a reflection of the time and culture in which it was produced. In particular, we'll learn about such topics as the history of the Hollywood studios, the "star system," film schools, independent film-making, African-American films, and other major themes that have made movies America's foremost cultural export.

In addition to the actual films, participants will view several documentaries, participate in many focused class lecture-discussions, study the techniques of film criticism, and write actual film reviews for the on-line discussion board (DISCUS), which will be available to readers around the world. The "take away" from this course should be the ability to transcend "the hype," to enjoy films more deeply, and to write and speak about them with a higher level of sophistication and excitement. You will know why you like what you like, and you will become a "critic."

Instructor: Dr. Pannapacker

Office Hours: Fall semester, Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00, and by appointment at other times (e-mail a request).

Class Meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-12:50; Most Tuesday nights, 7-9 (see schedule for exceptions).

Location: Lubbers 101.

Every Tuesday night (with a few exceptions noted in the schedule), there will be a film screening in the Granberg Room of Van Wylen Library.  The films will usually begin at 7:00 PM and continue for about 2-3 hours (note the two exceptions in the schedule).   Some films, which are asterisked below, may contain language, nudity, violence and mature situations that may offend some viewers; alternative assignments will be provided gladly for those who request them. 

Library Tour and Tutorial (5%)

Library Tour: Sign up at the Van Wylen Library Reference Desk for a tour of the library.  The tours last about 15 minutes and will continue from August 26 to August 30.  At the end of the tour they will give you a certificate; give the certificate to me in class to receive credit. 

Class Participation (25%)

A-level: comes to class prepared; contributes readily to the conversation but doesn't dominate it; makes thoughtful contributions that advance the conversation; shows interest in and respect for others' views; participates actively in small groups.

B-level: comes to class prepared and makes thoughtful comments when called upon; contributes occasionally without prompting; shows interest in and respect for others' views; participates actively in small groups.

C-level: comes to class prepared but does not voluntarily contribute to discussions and gives only minimal answers when called upon. Nevertheless, these students show interest in the discussion, listen attentively, and take notes.

D-level: participates in discussion, but in a problematic way. Such students may talk too much, make rambling or tangential contributions, continually interrupt the instructor with digressive questions, bluff their way when unprepared, or otherwise dominate discussions, not acknowledging cues of annoyance from the class.

F-level: on the margins of the class, possibly having a negative effect on the participation of others. Students in this range often don't participate because they haven't read the material or done the homework. They may actually be disruptive, radiating negative energy via hostile or bored body language, or be overtly rude.

Discussion Board (40%)

The “Discussion Board” or DISCUS is an on-line venue hosted by the Hope College Web site (see the tab on the homepage at www.hope.edu). We will use it for presenting your film reviews and comments to the entire class (and, in fact, the entire world).

Over the semester submit ten substantial reviews (300-500 words) to receive full credit.  You will find examples of film reviews under “Resources” on the course Web site.  I will periodically give you group and individual feedback on your reviews (expectations increase as the semester advances).  Short responses to other participants’ reviews or other brief comments apart from your own reviews contribute to your grade for class participation (very worthwhile if you are shy in class discussions).

Your “username” for DISCUS is your last name; your “password” is your ID number.  Call CIT (395-7670) if you have trouble.  If you ever are not able to post to DISCUS, simply e-mail the text to me at <pannapacker@hope.edu>, and I will post it for you until you can solve the problem.

Quizzes (30%)

There will be a brief quiz once a week as indicated in the syllabus.  They function as part of the writing requirement for the course and as a means (in addition to the reviews) of encouraging participants to master the readings in film criticism (Corrigan), class discussion handouts, the in-class documentaries, and, of course, the films themselves.  Quizzes will be graded on a 3-point scale.  30 points total is a perfect score; any points over 30 will count as extra credit towards the final grade.

AUGUST

24 (Saturday), 4-5, Meeting with students and their families: “Previews.”

26 (Monday), 9-12, Individual advising meetings.   Photo taken.  Sign up at Van Wylen Library Reference Desk for Library Tour (tour takes 15 minutes).  Tours end on August 30. 

27 (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening, Granberg Room, Van Wylen Library, 2^nd Floor: American Beauty (122 minutes).

28 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, First Class: introduction to film criticism, how to write a basic film review.   Read for class: Corrigan, A Short Guide to Writing About Film, Chapter 1.   (Last day for Library Tour is Friday, August 30).

31 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read everyone’s reviews on Sunday for Monday’s class discussion.

SEPTEMBER

2  (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz (covers film, reading, and discussion material).  Discussion of American Beauty (be sure to read everyone’s reviews on the “Discussion Board” before class).   Turn in library tour certificate (tour must be completed by August 30).  Sign-up for film screening food assignments. 

3  (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening, Granberg Room, Van Wylen Library, 2^nd Floor: Modern Times (103 minutes).

4  (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class.  Read for class: Corrigan, Chapter 2.

7  (Saturday):  Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

9  (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, Library Tour Certificate due, discussion of Modern Times.

10 (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening, Granberg Room, Van Wylen Library, 2^nd Floor: Citizen Kane (119 minutes).

11 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class: Read for class: Corrigan, pages 41-55.

14 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

16 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of Citizen Kane; 7-9:30, FILM SCREENING: Granberg Room, Casablanca (145 minutes).  NOTE THE SCHEDULE CHANGE.

18 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class; Documentary: The Hollywood Style (50 minutes), in class.

21 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

23 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz (covers film, documentary, and discussion).  Discussion of Casablanca.

24 (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening: Granberg Room, Singin’ in the Rain (102 minutes).

25 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class; Documentary, The Star (50 minutes), in class.

28 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

30 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of Singin’ in the Rain; Library Quiz Score Certificate due in class (last day to take FYS Library Tutorial Quiz is September 28).

OCTOBER

1  (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening: Granberg Room, Rebel Without a Cause (111 minutes).

2  (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Documentary, Film in the TV Age (50 minutes), in class.

5 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

7  (Monday): 12-12:50 Class: quiz, discussion of Rebel Without a Cause.

8  (Tuesday): 7-9:30, Film Screening (rent if you are not in town): Granberg Room, The Searchers (144 minutes).

9  (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class: Documentary, The Western (50 minutes), in class.

12 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

14 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of The Searchers.

15 (Tuesday): 7-9:30, Film Screening: Granberg Room, North By Northwest (136 minutes).

16 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Read for class: Corrigan, 55-66.

19 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

21 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion  of North by Northwest.

22 (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening: Granberg Room, The Graduate (106 minutes).

23 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Read for class: Corrigan, 66-83.

26 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

28 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of The Graduate.

29 (Tuesday): 7-10:30, Film Screening: Granberg Room, Apocalypse Now (202 minutes).

30 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Documentary, The Combat Film (50 minutes), in class.

NOVEMBER

2 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

4  (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of Apocalypse Now, sign-up for advising meetings for spring registration.

5  (Tuesday): 7-9, Film Screening: Granberg Room, Do the Right Thing (120 minutes).

6   (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Documentary, Black Film (50 minutes), in class.

9 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

11 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of Do the Right Thing. 

12 (Tuesday): 7-9:30, Film Screening: Granberg Room, Goodfellas (148 minutes).

13 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Documentary, The Film School Generation, 50 minutes.

16 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

18 (Monday):12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of Goodfellas.

19 (Tuesday): 5:30-7:45 NOTE THE TIME, Film Screening: Granberg Room, Silence of the Lambs (118 minutes).

20 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, Documentary, The Edge of Hollywood (50 minutes), in class.

23 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

25 (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of Silence of the Lambs.

26 (Tuesday): 7-9:30, Film Screening: Granberg Room, The Matrix (136 minutes).

27 (Wednesday): 12-12:50, Class, read for class: Corrigan, 83-88.

30 (Saturday): Film Reviews due on “Discussion Board” by 5 PM; read the other reviews on Sunday.

DECEMBER

2  (Monday): 12-12:50, Class: quiz, discussion of The Matrix. 

4  (Wednesday): Last Class; SIR teacher evaluation administered (counts as quiz bonus.)  Food will be served. 

Academic Honesty: As defined in The New St. Martin's Handbook, plagiarism is "the use of someone else's words or ideas as your own without crediting the other person" (494). Any submission that is demonstrably plagiarized will result in a permanent failure for the assignment and, in some cases, disciplinary action by the college. For more information on using sources, see The New St. Martin's Handbook, pages 476-498.

Attendance: If you need to miss a class for a good reason (I realize this can happen), please let me know in advance by e-mail.  Irresponsible absences and lateness will lower your grade for participation. 

Deadlines: Assignments must be completed on schedule in order for this course to run properly for everyone.  It’s better to be late than not to submit an assignment, but late submissions are marked down fairly in proportion to the inconvenience they cause everyone.

Mutual Respect: Participants must be free to speak their minds within the bounds of appropriate behavior. Everyone should treat each other with respect, regardless of differences of opinion or background. Everyone is free to disagree. Of course, I do not expect this will be a problem, but disorderly behavior, discriminatory language, personal attacks, and other forms of verbal abuse are not permitted.

Individual Conferences Appointments for individual advising meetings will be made the week before spring registration. You are also welcome to confer with me during my office hours (and by appointment) at any point in the semester. You can also catch me before and after class. If you need to contact me, please do so via e-mail because I can access it more easily and frequently than phone messages.

Academic Support Center (ASC): Extra one-on-one and group assistance with writing is available at no cost from private tutors at the ASC in Van Zoeren 261 (395-7830). If interested, you should set up an appointment in advance (Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00). The ASC's services are not just for students having difficulty; many "A"-students benefit from the insights of additional readers.