MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE
Behavioral & Social Science
Social Sciences 154 – Movies With A Message
Instructor: Al Smith Founder’s Hall 120E Office Hours: MTWTH 11-12:30 and by appointment (occasionally, I am out of town).
Ph.#, 575-6153
Texts: Screening American, By Lorence
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Social Science 154 Movies With A Message is a three (3) unit thematic film course aimed at using the medium of film to broaden the awareness of current societal and global issues, focusing on different topics semester to semester. Selected sequences of feature films, documentaries, unusual foreign and domestic releases will explore how film makers depict aspects of history, culture, religion, race, gender, class, ideology and other issues in a global perspective. Course will cover related elements of film style and theory, such as the relationship of subject to style, form and function. Modern variations on film media (animation, Youtube, reality TV and device media) will be investigated with an eye on 21st century culture. Field trips may be required. Lecture. Transfer: CSU, UC General Education: (MJC-GE: C)(CSU-GE:C1) English 101 is recommended for success, but not required.
Social Science 154 Course Learning Objectives (CLOs)
COURSE WORK
ALL WORK MUST BE TYPED. All papers that you want back must be picked-up at my office - in person – within two weeks of when they are announced to be ready. Following that time, I will discard those papers. Keep copies of all your work. Online students will receive periodic feedback on their work.
Writing………………..…………..…….……………………………….….200 pts
There will be written work due weekly for at least ten of the 15 weeks of the semester. This will be based on your readings and viewings. The total points available are 200 points for the semester. Check the syllabus for specific details and an example of completed work. These assignments are (approximately) 10 short 1-2 page papers worth 20 points each.
Although the instructions are the same, the readings you are required to critique are different each week. These assignments will be comprehensive comparative Critiques of the readings and documents. While there is no magic word count that equals an “A” there is a rule of thumb: quality of thought is better than quantity of BS.
A NOTE ON READING: Your performance relating to weekly reading is directly linked to your success with course assignments. If you do not read the course material you will not succeed on the writing, testing, or discussion/participation levels.
Discussion……………………………………………………………….300 pts
History is a discussion in print. Each week’s readings and assignments are discussed. ALL readings are required to be integrated into your Discussion.
This means discussion – interaction; written and verbal, etc. - is 30% of your grade. When you ask questions, when you discuss issues, when you talk among yourselves in class during a group project, or when you use any out of class tutorial it all counts. I have individual and group tutorial sessions sometimes available.
Mid-Term……….…………………………………………………………..200 pts
We will read the books and some articles. Portions will be discussed in class. Your mid term will be in the form of essay questions supplied to you on the syllabus (see syllabus), and activated during midterm week. The essay will be in standard five-paragraph (5) form. The essay will have a five-source (5) bibliography.
Final………………..………..………………………………………………...300 pts
We will have a take home final. Your final will be an annotated bibliography. It will involve ALL of the Course Learning Objectives (above). This will involve three (3) sources that should include books, documents, articles, and possibly interviews. No encyclopedia-style sources are acceptable, and no web sources are acceptable. Check your syllabus for details – although the link will NOT be active until we are approaching Finals.
GRADING SCALE
Points possible
Writings (Reading Responses) = 200
Class Discussions = 300
Mid Term Exam = 200
CLO Final Exam ( take home) = 300
possible points 1000
Point scale 900 - 1000+ = A Percentage 90%+ = A
800 - 899 = B 80-89% = B
700 - 799 = C 70-79% = C
600 - 699 = D 60-69% = D
599 & below.....F
A NOTE ON ATTENDANCE:
As it is necessary to include aspects of class discussion for the most desirable grade. I recommend full attendance. More than two (2) consecutive absences will result in impaired understanding of course specifics, but I will not drop you. If you are having any kind of problems, let me know and we can work around them if possible. Remember: IT IS THE STUDENTS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY WITHDRAWN FROM CLASS should this become necessary.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR GRADE, KEEP TRACK OF IT YOURSELF.
Behavioral & Social Science
Social Sciences 154 – Movies With A Message
Instructor: Al Smith Founder’s Hall 120E Office Hours: MTWTH 11-12:30 and by appointment (occasionally, I am out of town).
Ph.#, 575-6153
Texts: Screening American, By Lorence
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Social Science 154 Movies With A Message is a three (3) unit thematic film course aimed at using the medium of film to broaden the awareness of current societal and global issues, focusing on different topics semester to semester. Selected sequences of feature films, documentaries, unusual foreign and domestic releases will explore how film makers depict aspects of history, culture, religion, race, gender, class, ideology and other issues in a global perspective. Course will cover related elements of film style and theory, such as the relationship of subject to style, form and function. Modern variations on film media (animation, Youtube, reality TV and device media) will be investigated with an eye on 21st century culture. Field trips may be required. Lecture. Transfer: CSU, UC General Education: (MJC-GE: C)(CSU-GE:C1) English 101 is recommended for success, but not required.
Social Science 154 Course Learning Objectives (CLOs)
- Students will be able to demonstrate factual knowledge of key political, economic, social and cultural events and issues in film.
- Students will be able to apply critical thinking (including causal analysis and skeptical inquiry) to historical concepts and developments in film.
- Students will be able to evaluate, analyze and interpret primary and secondary historical sources and make historical arguments based on these sources about Movies With a Message
COURSE WORK
ALL WORK MUST BE TYPED. All papers that you want back must be picked-up at my office - in person – within two weeks of when they are announced to be ready. Following that time, I will discard those papers. Keep copies of all your work. Online students will receive periodic feedback on their work.
Writing………………..…………..…….……………………………….….200 pts
There will be written work due weekly for at least ten of the 15 weeks of the semester. This will be based on your readings and viewings. The total points available are 200 points for the semester. Check the syllabus for specific details and an example of completed work. These assignments are (approximately) 10 short 1-2 page papers worth 20 points each.
Although the instructions are the same, the readings you are required to critique are different each week. These assignments will be comprehensive comparative Critiques of the readings and documents. While there is no magic word count that equals an “A” there is a rule of thumb: quality of thought is better than quantity of BS.
A NOTE ON READING: Your performance relating to weekly reading is directly linked to your success with course assignments. If you do not read the course material you will not succeed on the writing, testing, or discussion/participation levels.
Discussion……………………………………………………………….300 pts
History is a discussion in print. Each week’s readings and assignments are discussed. ALL readings are required to be integrated into your Discussion.
This means discussion – interaction; written and verbal, etc. - is 30% of your grade. When you ask questions, when you discuss issues, when you talk among yourselves in class during a group project, or when you use any out of class tutorial it all counts. I have individual and group tutorial sessions sometimes available.
Mid-Term……….…………………………………………………………..200 pts
We will read the books and some articles. Portions will be discussed in class. Your mid term will be in the form of essay questions supplied to you on the syllabus (see syllabus), and activated during midterm week. The essay will be in standard five-paragraph (5) form. The essay will have a five-source (5) bibliography.
Final………………..………..………………………………………………...300 pts
We will have a take home final. Your final will be an annotated bibliography. It will involve ALL of the Course Learning Objectives (above). This will involve three (3) sources that should include books, documents, articles, and possibly interviews. No encyclopedia-style sources are acceptable, and no web sources are acceptable. Check your syllabus for details – although the link will NOT be active until we are approaching Finals.
GRADING SCALE
Points possible
Writings (Reading Responses) = 200
Class Discussions = 300
Mid Term Exam = 200
CLO Final Exam ( take home) = 300
possible points 1000
Point scale 900 - 1000+ = A Percentage 90%+ = A
800 - 899 = B 80-89% = B
700 - 799 = C 70-79% = C
600 - 699 = D 60-69% = D
599 & below.....F
A NOTE ON ATTENDANCE:
As it is necessary to include aspects of class discussion for the most desirable grade. I recommend full attendance. More than two (2) consecutive absences will result in impaired understanding of course specifics, but I will not drop you. If you are having any kind of problems, let me know and we can work around them if possible. Remember: IT IS THE STUDENTS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY WITHDRAWN FROM CLASS should this become necessary.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR GRADE, KEEP TRACK OF IT YOURSELF.