Syllabus

There will be NO TEXT...

Instead, you will be required to look up and read materials freely available on the internet. Why is there no text? Because, while some are good, all of the ones I've been able to review are too expensive for the material they do present. Film resources are ample on the internet, many of which are listed at http://filmfun.org/resources.html.

Excused absences from class:

• Children or family
• The death of a grandparent. Maximum: Four grandparents per semester.
• Church
• Illness
• Anytime you decide it's unsafe weather-wise to come

Requirements:

You want to be here. If you don't want to be here but have to be here for some other reason, I suggest you drop the class ASAP and save yourself some time and money.

In-class etiquette: Computers may be used during the lecture but must be closed during all film showings. No texting or use of Blackberries or cell phones will be allowed during class.

Help! My dog ate my syllabus and I have no idea what I should be doing!

All course materials will be available online at http://filmfun.org.

Procedure if you miss a class and want to know what went on:

1. Consult the class website: http://filmfun.org. If this doesn't help:
2. Consult with fellow classmates and get info and notes from them. If this doesn't help:
3. Email me. If this doesn't help:
4. Call me.

Individual meetings with the professor:

I will be available after class to talk to students one-on-one. If you want to meet with me before class or some other time, please call or email me in advance of the class.

Challenging material:

Some materials shown or discussed in this class may include strong language, nudity and "sexual situations," and/or scenes of violence. As adults, you are expected to approach these films with the same seriousness that you would approach any object of study in college. However, if you have genuine objections to watching such material, let me know.

What about grades?

Ah, yes. I thought you might ask this question. My preference is not to have any grades at all, but I'm afraid they're a necessary evil of the academic system in order to provide quality control for giving out degrees, which theoretically qualify you for a higher paying job. Right?

Tests will equal 90% (90 points) of your grade.

I will give three tests plus a final/makeup exam. Each test will consist of multiple choice and true-false questions. The exams will be an attempt to measure how familiar you are with the assigned textbook readings, classroom lectures and films or other types of presentations.

All examinations must be taken on the scheduled dates. You must have a General Purpose Scantron #4521 ANSWER SHEET and a No. 2 pencil for each exam. They can be purchased at the MSU bookstore. PLEASE NOTE: If you don't bring a pencil and computer scoresheet, you won't be able to take the exam.

Only your top three exam scores will count. You may take all four exams but are not required to do so.

Tests 1-3 will cover their respective sections of the class. The final/makeup exam will cover the whole course but will count the same as each of the first three tests.

Other assignments will equal 10% (10 points) of your grade.

Your final grade will be based on a cumulative 100% scale:

90 & up = A

80 - 89.9 = B

70 - 79.9 = C

60 - 69.9 = D

below 60 = F

There will be no +/- grades.

An incomplete is reserved for a student who, because of extenuating circumstances, is unable to complete a specific requirement of the course. In other respects, the student must have done passing work for the term. A student must present to me, the professor, a written request for an incomplete before the last regularly scheduled class meeting. The request must include what I consider to be a legitimate and verifiable reason for applying for incomplete status.

What about extra credit?

Depending on how well you do (or don't do) on the tests, I may assign extra credit. All extra credit will be due NO LATER THAN the last class before finals, but it's always better to turn it in earlier if you can.

A Note on Academic Integrity:

Some of you may think it's cool to cheat. (And given the current political climate, I don't blame you. Ethics are not real strong in our government right now.) At any rate, I would encourage you to consider the following:

1. Cheating is a violation of the MSU Student Conduct Code. Those caught cheating in this class will fail the course and be turned over to the MSU Judicial Board for punitive action that could involve suspension, expulsion, torture or public flogging.
2. If you're caught cheating it may mess up your chances for a good job in the future.
3. If you cheat, why are you going to college in the first place? Why don't you just a get a job at McDonald's or Carlson Craft and save yourself the tuition?

Exam Make-up Policy

There will be NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. However, if you must miss an exam, let me know IN ADVANCE if you can. If I determine your excuse is legitimate, you may make up an exam by submitting a paper according to these guidelines:

1. The paper must be at least 2 pages long double spaced (meaning it must extend to page 3) using a standard font. I look for quality, not quantity, but if you want an "A" I want to see an extra effort.
2. The subject is up to you, but ...
   it must cover material within the same portion of the class as the test it is intended to replace, and
   you must email or talk to me first with a proposal for your topic so that we're both clear on what is expected.
3. The paper may be submitted as an attachment via email or in printed form.
4. The paper must have your name, tech ID, the test number it is intended to replace and a title.
5. The paper shall be written in journalistic style. That is, formal references are not required, but quotes, paraphrases and borrowed material must be attributed properly within the text. For example, "According to author Richard Barsam, 'Movie buffs and film academics tend to agree that 1939 was one of the greatest years—if not the greatest year, period—in the history of cinema.'" Or, "Author Richard Barsam states that 'movie buffs and film academics tend to agree that 1939 was one of the greatest years—if not the greatest year, period—in the history of cinema.'"
6. The paper will be graded on a point-score basis (like the tests). Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and mechanics will be considered in the grade. It is recommended that you find someone to proofread your work before turning it in, as that is how the professional world of writing works. (Remember: As a professional writer and former composition teacher, I am a stickler for the correct use of the English language.)
7. Copying material off the internet or from any other source without giving proper credit is plagiarism and will immediately result in an "F" in the course. With over 200 students in the course I won't have any time to argue about this issue. Your only recourse will be to take it up with the Dean of the College. And just in case you're wondering, I have my ways of finding plagiarism. The University's policy on plagiarism is located here.
8. All submissions will come with the following statement signed by the student (copy and paste at the end of your paper):

   Except for help with proofreading for spelling, grammar, punctuation and mechanics, all of this work is my own and has not been taken from any source with the proper acknowledgement of that source.

(signed) ____________________________________________

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