Sample Syllabus

This sample syllbus follows a full year, a fall and a spring 18-week semester. It is organized by to genre, and within genre, chronologically. Not all of the films listed here are reviewed.  Some films clearly fit in more than one genre, and the order of genres could be re-arranged to suit the needs of the instructor.

This selection, compiled in 1992-1994, was originally developed upon what was available to me in the video library of Yantai University (People's Republic of China). Were I to teach this class now, the general availability of DVDs, and their ease of transport, would doubtless suggest important changes to the selection.

I found that preparation for this course was time-intensive. Watching the film several times over -- identifying key scenes, dialogue, and directing styles -- took at least 6-8 hours. It required a further 2-3 hours to prepare vocabulary lists and writing topics for each week. An instructor should plan accordingly.

Classes:
In each 21/2 hour class we will view the films and review new vocabulary terms. Vocabulary terms will include those used to describe films and those used by the characters in key dialogue.  At the close of the film, time permitting, we will review key scenes. (Note: the instructor should generate the vocabulary terms list for each film, but a general list is available here.)

Semester Writing Assignments:
Write a 1-2 page essay on 8 of the 13 movies that we will see. Choose your own topic, or write on the one that I suggest in class. In your essay, offer a brief synopsis of the film (no more than one paragraph). Then discuss at least four of the following elements; lighting, editing, symbolism, music, acting, dialogue. Each essay is due the week following the showing of the film. (Note: the instructor should choose the topic(s) for each film. I typically focused on the aspect or aspects of American culture that I thought would be most interesting to Chinese students).

Exams:
The midterm and the final will have two sections:
1) about 10-15 vocabulary terms
2) 5-6 short answers essays on each film.