NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course and Instructor Information
Course Title: Film Appreciation
Course Prefix, Number, and Section Number: DRAM 2366 0600
Semester/Year of Course: 16-Week Spring Semester 2024
Semester Start and End Dates: January 16 - May 11
Modality: Face to Face
Class Meeting, Location, and Times: NCTC Denton Campus, Rm 112; Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm
Semester credit hours: 3
Course description: An introductory course in motion pictures which surveys the film industry as a business, a means of communication, but mostly as an art form. The course places an emphasis on the analysis of the visual and aural of selected motion pictures, the dramatic aspects of narrative films, and the historical growth and sociological effect of film as an art.
Course prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required course materials:
*The textbook, “Looking At Movies” by Barsam and Monahan, 7th Edition is optional.
* A smart device (smartphone, laptop, or notepad) that is capable of accessing the internet
on campus (and at home) is necessary to complete the Reading Checkpoint assignments, Film Projects, Quizzes, Discussion Forums, and Tests.
*Students will need access to rent/buy/stream, or checkout specific films (7) as noted
throughout the semester.
Name of instructor: Arturo Garcia
E-mail address: agarcia@nctc.edu; please utilize your NCTC address for correspondence; I will reply within 24 hours
Office hours for students: Before and after class; by appointment
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
List of graded assignments: Four Tests (110 pts each) 440 pts
Fifteen Film Quizzes (20 pts each) 300 pts
Five Reading Checkpoints (20 pts each) 100 pts
Seven Forum Discussions (20 pts each) 140 pts
Syllabus Quiz 20 pts
1,000 pts total
Final grade scale: The grading scale is point based, with a total possible point accumulation of 1,000 points in the semester. (A) 900-1000 points; (B) 800-899 points; (C) 700-799 points; (D) 600-699 points; (F) under 600 points
Late work policy: While late work is not accepted as a general rule, there are always exceptions. The instructor may allow a late Reading Checkpoint up to one week past the due date, without point deduction, if the absence is excused. Please communicate with the instructor when class is missed, as there will be opportunities to make-up for missed Film Quizzes. A film essay be assigned in lieu of a missed Film Quiz. A Syllabus Quiz will need to be completed before any other assignment may be attempted.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy: Students are responsible for adhering to the NCTC policy on scholastic dishonesty as stated in the online student handbook (page 46) at http://nctc.site/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf
Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgment by the faculty member.
Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
Please note that this class meets once a week for three hours. If a student misses, it will be that student’s responsibility to obtain the lecture notes from a fellow student.
Some of the assignments may be done remotely (Discussions Forums), while most of the other graded components (Film Quizzes, Tests 1-4, and Reading Checkpoints) are done while the student is physically present in class. Each will be accessible in Canvas with a unique code, which will be presented in class on the day that the assignment is administered. Unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor, students must be present in class to access the code. Students that miss class on a day when an assignment is given will not receive credit for the assignment, even if the student was able to complete it by obtaining the access code, either by correctly guessing it, or having been given the code by another student, which would be considered cheating.
Written assignments will be submitted with an originality checking and plagiarism service. Please make sure that your work is original. Written submissions that are found to be copied (from fellow students or online) or created using A.I. will be given zero points for the assignment, and the incident will be reported to the Director of Student Conduct.
Withdrawal Policy: A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: April 01, 2024.
Student Learning Outcomes: At the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze film through written response;
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of film history, form, and genre;
- Describe the collaborative nature of cinema and the many jobs required to develop a motion picture;
- Discuss/Describe the relationship of cinema to society as it relates to his/her/their perspective.
Core Objectives: Course goals and learning outcomes support the Foundational Component Areas defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Course goals are linked to respective Core Curriculum Competencies: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Social Responsibilities. Specific competencies are identified in designated course goals and learning outcomes.
COLLEGE POLICIES