Longwood University
French 335 
le Cinéma français: 
l'identité, l'autorité et la rébellion
Printemps 2008

Site web: http://www.longwood.edu/staff/edwardswa/courses.htm

Required Text
David Aldstadt et Jean-Luois Hippolyte.  Septième art.  Boston: Thomson/Heinle, 2008. 
(Selected chapters available electronically at www.iChapters.com.)

A 3-ring binder is also required to organize photocopies distributed in class.

Students are required to see at least seven films by the date assigned.  Videos and DVDs are on reserve at the library.   

All students at this level should also own a substantial, hardback French-English dictionary. 

Course Description
A course designed to introduce students to French cinema, its history and its cultural significance.  Students will also develop the skills necessary to analyze and discuss French film in writing and in spoken language.  The course requires students to learn both basic film vocabulary and the language of film criticism.  Students will also learn strategies for viewing and contextualizing French and Francophone cinema.   This is a course conducted entirely in French.  For a list of useful classroom expressions, click here.

Course Theme
Most of the films assigned during the semester deal with the ways an identity is formed through acts of authority and rebellion.  This theme may be played out in the plot of the films we view, but may just as often be revealed in the style, the direction, or the innovation of the films themselves.  Concentrating on this theme will allow us to compare films from different historical periods and films of different genres. 

Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will demonstrate an ability to:

1. speak intelligently in French about current and historical French films.

2. write sophisticated analytical essays that address critical issues in individual films.

3. appreciate the genre of French film and the unique qualities that distinguish it from Hollywood films.

Course Requirements
1. Attendance, preparation, and participation. Attendance and participation are mandatory and will account for 15% of the student’s final grade.  As stated in the student handbook, “Students are expected to attend all classes.  Failure to attend class regularly impairs academic performance.  [Moreover,] absences are disruptive to the educational process for others.  This is especially true when absences cause interruption for clarification of material previously covered, failure to assume assigned responsibilities for class presentations, or failure to adjust to changes in assigned material or due dates.”  If the student misses 10% of the scheduled class meetings for unexcused absences, the instructor reserves the right to lower that student’s course grade by no more than one letter grade.  The instructor also reserves the right to assign a course grade of “F” when a student has missed a total (excused and unexcused) of 25% of the scheduled class meetings.  Absences will be excused only for the following reasons: illness, participation in a university-sponsored activity, religious holiday, or recognizable emergency.  Absences will not be excused for court dates, transportation scheduling, or doctor’s appointments.  For purposes of notation, “participation” is defined as physical attendance, obvious preparation, active contribution to in-class activities, and willingness to speak French.  Students who speak English will be penalized.

2.  Films.  All students must see the required film by the date assigned.  Films will be viewed in French with English subtitles.  It is an honor violation to view the films in English.  All films are on reserve in the library and may be checked out for a three-hour block of time.  Students should arrange to see these films in small groups, to minimize difficulties in availability.  If problems arise, we will view the films together on Monday evenings beginning at 6:15 pm.

3.  Critical reaction essays.  One the date assigned, students will submit a 250-word reaction to each film, highlighting the ways in which "identity,"  "authority" and "rebellion" emerge throughout the production.   Since students must submit this paper before we discuss the film in class, no reaction essay will be accepted late.  All reaction essays should show evidence that the film has been viewed and reflected upon.  Direct examples from each film are encouraged.

4.  Analytical essays.  Students will write 2 sustained essays totaling 10 pages in which they will analyze some particular elements, themes, structures, or styles of the films under consideration.  The first paper will be 4 pages long; the second will be 6 pages long.  These essays may ask students to compare themes across films, or to analyze one specific film or scene.  The longer paper will require some individual research and knowledge of films not assigned in class.  Essays will be graded both for content and French.

5.  Film Festival.  The university will host a French film festival in the month of February.  Students are encouraged to participate in the various screenings.  In contrast to the films studied in class, the festival films are all recent and provide a good snapshot of the the current state of French cinema.

6.  Honor code.  Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Longwood University Honor Code.  All work submitted for the class must be written in French and pledged.

7.  Grading.  The student’s course grade will be determined by the following percentages:

Programme du cours