Department of
Romance Languages and Literatures
Fall 2016, French 341, French Film / Cinéma Français ("Crime does not pay"),
Jean-Jacques Thomas
Office: Clemens 907
Office Hours: T 2:00 – 3:30
and by
appointment.
Phone: 716 645-0862
Email:
jjtparis7@gmail.com
Texts:
Text
book:
Course web site http://www.ieeff.org/ub341s16.html
Suggested: Closely
Watched Films,
Marilyn Fabe, University of
California, 2014.
Course description: The purpose of this course is to analyze contemporary French films . After a brief history of French cinema the goal of the course will be to understand how a foreign culture represents its own attitude, language and cultural dispositions in a given situation. The course will lead to a better understanding of the French film industry and its adaptation to specifically predetermined cultural patterns. Because this course can be repeated, each semester that it is offered its theme and films change.
This semester the topic is "Crime does not pay" and it explores ethics in French cinematic fiction.
It is often said that French cinema does not follow the ususal American Film ethics that demands that in a film narrative whoever is guilty of a crime of any type at the end of the movie should be punished. If it is true that often French film allows a likable character to escape his/her ethical fate, more than often French narratives respect the basic rule of "guilt=punishment"; it is however with a play of hand: the punishment does not always come from the crime itself but in an unexpected narrative twist the guilty party is punished for a basic flaw that let him/her into crime in the first place. All the stories that we will see this semester will visit the traditional French heroes of the crime/mystery genre: Fantomas, Arsene Lupin, Maigret, etc. as well as film by French classic directors: Truffaut, Godard, Melville, Malle, Besson, etc. This semester these narrative images of an ethical and cinematic quest will be the theme of our film choices. This semester these cinematic representations of ethical issues will be the theme of our film choices. We will watch and study10 movies. As usual, we will start with a few classics mostly taken from the repertoire of a French well-known repertoire, then move on to "New Wave" and more contemporary directors and more contemporary social, political and cultural settings. (In English - Mandatory presence in each class.)
Student
outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the French 341class,
the student will:
-
read French with greater ease and better
understand spoken French.
-
demonstrate an improvement in
analytical skills in written essays and oral presentations.
-
write short, coherent papers in
French with few vocabulary and content mistakes.
-
employ relevant critical terminology
in a discussion of different aspects of French culture and cinema.
-
understand more clearly various
cultural aspects of France and French communities.
-
learn to recognize relevant
characteristics of French film.
Class
preparation:
Throughout the semester, in addition to watching the
movies in class and to follow the discussions, you will be given comprehensive
activities or readings relevant to the topic under consideration so that you may
come to class prepared for discussion of the assigned film for the day. As long
as you prepare for class, seriously watch the movies and actively participate in
the class discussions, homework for the course will be light. Your main interest
will be to prepare your materials for a mid-semester essay and the final
research paper.
The mid-semester project will be centered on the films covered during the first
part of the semester and the final research will concentrate on the films that were
studied during the second part of the semester or questions that
have been raised during the whole semester. You are responsible for material
assigned during your absence (to be justified). If necessary please contact
another student so you always come to class prepared and with your class notes
up to date.
Class participation: Active participation is essential to this class. This not only means talking in class but also being prepared to talk in class about the text of the day. I will evaluate your consistent preparation for class (reading of relevant documents: books, web sites, etc.). You are encouraged to participate actively in this class. Organize your questions and comments—possibly in writing—before coming to class so as to be as concise as possible. Express your disagreements without hostility.
Grading for the course:
Grading scale:
Active
class participation
10%
A+ 100-97A
97-94
A-
93-90
Mid
semester research paper
45%
B+ 89-87
B
86-83
B- 82-80
Final exam paper
45%
C+ 79-77
C
76- 73 C- 72 -70
D+ 69-67
D
66-65
(F
64-0)
Papers.
You will be expected to write
tone mid-semester take-home paper. The first paper (7-9 pages) is due for the mid-semester
grade, the second paper (8-10 pages) will be produced as a final exam at the end of the semester.
The
mid term paper, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, must be
emailed to me to my class site:
jjtparis7@gmail.com on the day that it is due; any delay should be the
object of a timely e-mail communication to the same web address explaining, with
justification, why the paper cannot be delivered on time. Issues
covered by the papers will be discussed during the presentations in class and
suggested topics will be handed out two/three weeks prior to the due date.
Should you use any sources other than those assigned, you must acknowledge them
in a bibliography. Late papers will not be accepted -- unless you have a
certified medical excuse. Retain your original paper
in your computer for reference in case I do not receive your e-mail.
Papers will be graded with due regard mostly to content and organization and
general presentation; grammar, spelling, and punctuation are expected to be
carefully proof-read but will not be part of the grade (see also the general CAS
rules about “Academic Integrity”).
Plagiarism:
Cases of plagiarism will result in a grade of F on the
assignment in question, and possibly even for the entire course.
Conduct.
. Class participation is mandatory and an attendance sheet is distributed in each class.
· Regardless of the nature of your absence, you
will be held responsible for all work missed as well as for that which is due
the following class.
· In case of an ongoing problem such as a
personal crisis or chronic illness, which requires being absent for two weeks or
more, the student should resign from the course and retake it.
· If a student needs to depart early, do so
quietly after having cleared it with the instructor at the beginning of the
class session.
· Students who join the class for the first time
after add/drop are responsible for catching up on the missed material.
· Students are expected to follow the guidelines for
appropriate behavior outlined in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
· Students are expected to turn off and put away
all electronics before entering the class (e.g. cellular phones, music players,
computers). Those who are sending emails, checking messages or texting during
class, will be considered absent for the day. Repeat offenders will face grading
penalties.
· Please, ask permission to record a lecture. Video recording of the films is not allowed.
· Any break of these rules, or any other form of disruptive behavior will have an effect on your final grade or might precipitate more serious disciplinary measures.
Attendance
and tardy policy:
Attendance and tardy policy: Students may be justifiably absent due to
religious observances, illness documented by a physician or other appropriate
health care professional, conflicts with University sanctioned activities
documented by an appropriate University administrator, public emergencies, and
documented personal or family emergencies.
The student is responsible for notifying the
instructor in
writing
(e-mail) within 48
hours. Compliance
with this policy means that you should save absences for emergency situations
and come to class at all other times.
If tardiness becomes a problem, the following will
apply: 2 times tardy = one absence. Leaving class early will follow the same
policy.
Your continued presence in the class is the best way to
understand the material and make consistent progress. If you expect to miss a
class, please let me know the reason of your absence in
advance. If you must miss a class, please email me your homework before
class begins or ask a classmate to turn it in for you. Late work will not be
accepted.
Inclement weather policy: UB provides 24 hour telephone information about changes in office hours and class schedules related to inclement weather or for other reasons. The number is (716) 645-NEWS. Please do not call my office.