Syllabus

Syllabus ASIA/COMM/ENGL-335 Spring 2016 TOPICS IN ASIAN FILM

TEXTS:

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UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT:

Lee University is a Christian institution which offers liberal arts and professional education on both the baccalaureate and graduate levels through residential and distance programs. It seeks to provide education that integrates biblical truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with truth discovered through the study of arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions. A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior is the controlling perspective from which the educational enterprise is carried out. The foundational purpose of all educational programs is to develop within the students knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability and skills which will prepare them for responsible Christian living in a complex world.

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a critical analysis of films from South and East Asia. Emphasis is on contemporary and classic films from China, Japan and India. The course begins with the art of film appreciation and analysis and moves on to the genres, themes and impact of Asian films within the context of their native cultures.

Note: Korea and North Korea are substituted for India.

Prerequisites: None

Credit Hours: 3

Computer-Assisted Instruction (Y/N): N

Additional Fees:None

I. PURPOSE

This course is intended to expand cultural appreciation through the medium of cinema produced in key Asian countries. It is also designed to equip students with the critical tools to understand the multiple roles that the cinematic arts play in other nations.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

A. General Learning Objectives; this course seeks to

1.Enhance the students’ awareness of Asian cultures

2.Familiarize students with basic Western and Asian film theories

3.Equip students with a methodology of film criticism

4.Teach students to apply analysis to cinematic cultural artifacts

5.Demonstrate how Asian films convey cultural value and meaning

6.Engage students in faith integration questions surrounding film writing

B.Specific Behavioral Objectives; as a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to

1.Establish familiarity with basic film theories

2.Demonstrate understanding of film analysis and critique

3.Produce examples of film criticism

4.Relate the history of Asian film production

5.Compare and contrast various styles and approaches to film in Asia

6.Identify cultural values and world-views in Asian film productions

III.TOPICS TO BE COVERED

A.Western film theory and its relevance to East Asian film

B.Style and structure in film criticism

C.General history of East Asian film

D.East Asian film: Cinematic art forms

E.Reconstructing cultural ideals

G.East Asian film and the Western audiences

IV.INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

A.Selected and individualized readings

B.Lectures

C.Written assignments

D.Discussion of movie clips

E.Film screenings

F.Online films

V.RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

A.Regular attendance.

B.Prompt reading of assigned material.

C.Participation in class discussions and activities.

D.Contribution to workshop groups

E.Viewing assigned films and film clips

F.Successful completion of written assignments.

VI.EVALUATION

A.Evaluation Activities

1.Ten response papers 50%

2.One original essay on a film 25%

3.Quizzes and class participation 10%

4.Final examination 15%

B.Grading Scale

100-90% A          72-70% C-

89-87% B+          69-67% D+

86-83%  B           66-60% D

82-80% B-                59-% F

79-77% C+

76-73% C

C.Absences

Each student is entitled to two absences. Any absences beyond two will result in a three-percent penalty on the final grade up to a total of ten points.

VII.STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Lee University is committed to the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who think they may qualify for these accommodations should notify their instructor immediately. Special services are provided through the Academic Support Program.

VIII. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

As a Christian community of scholarship, we at Lee University are committed to the principles of truth and honesty in the academic endeavor. As faculty and students in this Christian community, we are called to present our academic work as an honest reflection of our abilities; we do not need to defraud members of the community by presenting others’ work as our own. Therefore, academic dishonesty is handled with serious consequences for two fundamental reasons: it is stealing  taking something that is not ours; it is also lying pretending to be something it is not. In a Christian community, such pretense is not only unnecessary, it is also harmful to the individual and community as a whole. Cheating should have no place at a campus where Christ is King because God desires us to be truthful with each other concerning our academic abilities. Only with a truthful presentation of our knowledge can there be an honest evaluation of our abilities. To such integrity, we as a Christian academic community are called.