Department of Romance Languages and Literatures

Spring 2016, French 341, French Film / Cinéma Français  ("A New Take on Sentimental Journeys"), 

Jean-Jacques Thomas Tuesday  and  Thursday  12:30 - 1:50

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.

Department of Romance Languages and Literatures : Common Language/Undergraduate Program Mission Statement :

In the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures students find forums in which to exercise critical thinking, develop proficiency in linguistic and intellectual communication, and cultivate a heightened sense of cultural awareness.  Our courses guide students in the readings of languages and cultural codes across a number of historical and geographical divides.  They engage students in articulating their own relationship to a variety of texts and to the cultures of which they speak, which can and should become a lifelong endeavor. Our programs reflect the interdisciplinary scholarship of the department’s faculty. Here, students and faculty share a model of inquiry and problem solving, and a common urge to explore the world. A workshop for all, the Department of Romance Languages is an expression of interconnectivity, engaged as it is in a dialogue with the arts and humanities, science and technology, and language itself.

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 "A New Take on Sentimental Journeys":

There is the girl or the boy next door and there is the love  that has to be found somewhere in the world and demands a long sentimental quest. In addition, it will only endure after a long education in a new culture, new modes of affection, the understanding of a new common ethic and ethnic mythology. A long passion as well as a solid patience will be necessary to establish a lasting sentimental journey. This semester these cinematic images of a successful or unsuccessful sentimental quest will be the theme of our film choices. We will watch and study eleven movies ( 1936 - 2014). As usual, we will start with a few classics mostly taken from the repertoire of the French New Wave,  then move on to 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.

Learning outcomes:  As such, the work in this course will enable the student to:

• read complex films critically and with understanding;
• recognize and appreciate a variety of cinematographic genres;
• frame questions that show a clear understanding of the cinematographic contexts and techniques;
• be aware of the cultural questions raised by the love themes and their symbolic presentation in context.
• frame coherent written arguments about complex aspects of the creative and cultural aspect of French culture as presented through its cinema. 

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  Participation            10%                                                                        A+ 100-97A  97-94  A-  93-90

Mid semester project          45%                                                                        B+ 89-87   B  86-83  B- 82-80

Final research 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 two take-home papers. The first paper (7-9 pages) is due for the mid-semester grade, the second paper (8-10 pages) is due at the end of the semester.  Graduate students papers are expected to be no less than 12 pages each. The papers, 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 marked papers in a folder for reference. 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.  If you select to offer an exposé, it should be limited to 15 minutes and well organized (preferably with PowerPoint). 10 minutes will be left at the end for questions and any type of special supplementary comments.

·  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.

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