Tuesday/Thursday, 1:15-3:20 p.m., Rm. UW1-010
Click here
<http://depts.washington.edu/ctlt/catalyst/umail/mail.cgi?user=davidgs&form=5>
to contact instructor with or without identifying yourself. (My e-mail address is provided in class. No telephone calls, please.)Office: UW1-135
Office hours: Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
and Thursdays 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and by appointment
You will need a UW Net ID and a working UW e-mail account for this course. For instructions, click here: <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/library/newstudent.html>. If you wish to use a different e-mail account, please have your UW e-mail forwarded to the other account, which you can do at My UW, located at <http://myuw.washington.edu>.
Nonfiction films have been enlightening, entertaining, teaching, and challenging us for nearly a century. In this course, we will explore the history of this expressive form of culture, noting its most important technological and cinematic innovations. More significantly, we will discuss the cultural contexts for the films (why they were made and what they tell us about the social concerns of the period) and the theoretical questions they raise, including the blurry line between fiction and nonfiction and the problematic assumption of unbiased presentation.By the end of the course, you can expect to be able to define documentary films and identify their major components, speak and write critically about a few of the most important American documentaries ever made, understand the historical development of documentary films in terms of their technology and content, develop skills in the critical evaluation of documentaries, and understand the historical and social forces out of which filmmakers have created documentaries and upon which the films comment.
Please note that students in this course will be required to view Journey into Amazing Caves, on their own time and at their own expense, at the Eames IMAX theater at Seattle Center's Pacific Science Center, no later than Feb. 19. For showtimes, visit <http://www.pacsci.org/public/imax/quickimax.html>. For directions to the Pacific Science Center and other information, visit: <http://www.pacsci.org/sm_default.html>.
Some documentary films deal with mature subject matter that might make some students uncomfortable. Students who are not easily offended or who feel able to deal with emotional discomfort for the purpose of learning are encouraged to enroll in this course.
Students interested in pursuing other courses in cinema studies at UWB can visit the Cinema Studies Pathways page at <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/pathways/cinema_studies.html>.
Texts (available in the UWB Bookstore [save your receipts for a patronage refund] and in library reserve). Note: Click here <http://www.bookstore.washington.edu/public/bookstore.acgi$/textsrv.taf?_function=textbooksrv> to order books online (free shipping). Click on "Winter Quarter 2002," then enter 8313 for "UW SLN Code" (leave other spaces blank) and hit 'enter.' All items have been ordered; contact the bookstore if some materials are not listed.
- Required: Barsam, Richard M. Nonfiction Film: A Critical History, rev. and exp. ed. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1992. (ISBN 0253311241)
- Optional*: Beaver, Frank. Dictionary of Film Terms: The Aesthetic Companion to Film Analysis. New York: Twayne-McMillan, 1994. (ISBN 0805793348)
- Optional*: Monaco, James. How to Read a Film: Movies, Media, Multimedia, 3rd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2000. (ISBN 019503869X)
*I will not assign reading from the "optional" texts, but students who are especially interested in film might want to invest in one or both of these titles.
Grading: Your grade will be based on these assignments, which are described on separate pages online (links will be activated when ready):
Reading quizzes (best two of three counted; 10 pts. each)
20 pts.
Documentary film proposal (due Feb. 26; optional revision due March 14)
45 pts.
Scene analysis (250 words; due March 7)
25 pts.
Self-evaluation (online, to be completed no sooner than March 11 and no later than 1:15 p.m. on March 14)
5 pts.
Final examination (in class, March 19)
50 pts.
55 pts.
TOTAL
200 pts.
A note about grades: I know that students often need to juggle school, work, family, and other obligations. I never second-guess students' priorities, and I never think less of students who choose to devote more time and effort to one of these other obligations rather than to an assignment or the course as a whole. I respect the maturity of students who establish their priorities, make difficult choices, and accept the consequences of those decisions. Also, remember that your grade is based solely on my professional assessment of the quantity and quality of your work, not on your effort or on my opinion of you as an individual.
Final Course Grade Scale:
190-200: 4.0
176-177: 3.3
162-163: 2.6
148-149: 1.9
134-135: 1.2
188-189: 3.9
174-175: 3.2
160-161: 2.5
146-147: 1.8
132-133: 1.1
186-187: 3.8
172-173: 3.1
158-159: 2.4
144-145: 1.7
130-131: 1.0
184-185: 3.7
170-171: 3.0
156-157: 2.3
142-143: 1.6
128-129: 0.9
182-183: 3.6
168-169: 2.9
154-155: 2.2
140-141: 1.5
126-127: 0.8
180-181: 3.5
166-167: 2.8
152-153: 2.1
138-139: 1.4
124-125: 0.7
178-179: 3.4
164-165: 2.7
150-151: 2.0
136-137: 1.3
0-123: 0.0
DATE READING/ASSIGNMENTS DUE IN-CLASS WORK Tu 01/08
Introduction: The Documentary Film; How to Read a Film
Th 01/10
Associated Students*; Goldberg*
Reality Perceived and Recorded: View and discuss 4 Little Girls
Tu 01/15
Barsam ch. 1
The First Films: View Nanook of the North
Th 01/17
Barsam ch. 2 (except "The Nonfiction Film and War: 1898-1918")
The First Films: Discuss Nanook of the North
Tu 01/22
Barsam ch. 3 (except "The Soviet Naturalist Tradition" and "The Western Avante-Garde")
"Reality" and Its Distortion: View and discuss Shaping Reality (71 min., EMC)
Th 01/24
Barsam ch. 7
Government Films: View and discuss The Plow that Broke the Plains
Tu 01/29
Barsam ch. 10
Government Films: View and discuss War Comes to America
Th 01/31
Barsam ch. 13
Urban and Rural Social Issues: View and discuss Harvest of Shame
Tu 02/05
Barsam ch. 14 (except "Canadian Film")
Concert Film: View and discuss Gimme Shelter
Th 02/07
Barsam ch. 15 (only sections on the Maysles Brothers, Wiseman, and De Antonio)
Exposé: View and discuss The Titicut Follies
Tu 02/12
Kopple*
Labor: View Harlan County U.S.A.
Th 02/14
Barsam ch. 16 (except "Nonfiction Film in Third World and Non-Western Countries")
Labor: Discuss Harlan County, U.S.A.
Tu 02/19
Deadline for viewing Journey into Amazing Caves at Pacific Science Center
Biography: View and discuss Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien
Th 02/21
Work on documentary film proposal
Oppression and Resistance: View and discuss Streetwise
Tu 02/26
Cinéma Verité: View and discuss Dont Look Back
Th 02/28
View Roger and Me
"Documemoir": View and discuss Coolies, Sailors, Settlers
Tu 03/05
Work on scene analysis
Personal Statement: View and discuss Tongues Untied
Th 03/07
Personal Statement: Discuss Roger and Me
Tu 03/12
View The Thin Blue Line
Justice: Discuss The Thin Blue Line
Th 03/14
View This Is Spinal Tap; online self-evaluation due by 1:15 p.m.; film proposal revision due (optional)
"Rockumentary"; Review: Discuss This Is Spinal Tap; review for final
Tu 03/19
*Additional readings list:
- Associated Students of U of Washington, Bothell. "Avoiding Academic Misconduct." Online <http://faculty.washington.edu/davidgs/Integrity.html>. NOT AVAILABLE IN LIBRARY RESERVES.
- Goldberg, Michael. "How to Read a Film." 14 Sept. 2000. Online <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/faculty/mgoldberg/students/readafilm.htm>. NOT AVAILABLE IN LIBRARY RESERVES.
- Kopple, Barbara. Interview. 2000. Online <http://inview.kqed.org/interviews/36/interview.html>. (Click on "view the full transcript" link.) NOT AVAILABLE IN LIBRARY RESERVES.
**Media List (only UWB-owned films will be on reserve at the Media Center <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/media/>):
- Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien. Dir. Jessica Yu. 1996. 35 min. Educational Media Center. View in class on Feb. 19.
- Coolies, Sailors, Settlers. Dir. Loni Ding. 1999. 65 min. Educational Media Center. View in class on Feb. 28.
- Dont Look Back. Dir. D. A. Pennebaker. 1967. 96 min. BORES BOTVIDEO 02. View in class on Feb. 26.
- 4 Little Girls. Dir. Spike Lee. 1997. 102 min. BORES BOTVIDEO 06. View in class on Jan. 10.
- Gimme Shelter. Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Charlotte Zwerin. 1970. 90 min. BOT-83. View in class on Feb. 5.
- Harlan County, U. S. A. Dir. Barbara Kopple. 1967. 103 min. BOT-178. View in class on Feb. 12.
- Harvest of Shame. Prod. Bernard Birnbaum. 1960. 55 min. BOT-1246 vol. 4. View in class on Jan. 31.
- Nanook of the North. Dir. Robert J. Flaherty. 1922. 79 min. DVD BOT-19. View in class on Jan. 15.
- The Plow that Broke the Plains. Dir. Pare Lorenz. 1936. 25 min. BORES BOTVIDEO 01. View in class on Jan. 24.
- Roger and Me. Dir. Michael Moore. 1989. 91 min. Videodisc BOT-33. View on your own no later than Feb. 28.
- Streetwise. Dir. Martin Bell. 1984. 92 min. BOT-26. View in class on Feb. 21.
- The Thin Blue Line. Dir. Errol Morris. 1988. 101 min. BORES BOTVIDEO 03. View on your own no later than March 12.
- This Is Spinal Tap. Dir. Rob Reiner. 1984. 83 min. BORES BOTDVD 02.
- The Titicut Follies. Dir. Frederick Wiseman. 1967. 84 min. Odegaard Media Videorecord ZIPP 007. View in class on Feb. 7.
- Tongues Untied. Dir. Marlon Riggs. 1991. 55 min. BOT-1098. View in class on March 5.
- War Comes to America. Dir. Frank Capra and Anatole Litvak. Why We Fight Series. 1945. 65 min. TAC-246. View in class on Jan. 29.
The final examination will be held 1:15 to 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Mark it on your calendar now; it cannot be made up if missed. This schedule is subject to change. The most current schedule will always be posted here <http://faculty.washington.edu/davidgs/Docfilm347syl.html> for your reference, and changes will be announced in class, by e-mail, or both.
Keep a copy of all submitted work. No extra credit or paper re-writes will be permitted except as noted, but I will gladly assist you with your work. In-class exercises cannot be made up for any reason because the group interaction is irreproducible. (See below for information on participation.) Late assignments will be accepted only in extenuating circumstances that could not have been anticipated, and only as specified; penalties will apply as specified. Keep all graded materials; you will need them for your graduation portfolio.
In accordance with University policy, I give Incompletes only if you are passing the course and attending class to within two weeks of the end of the quarter, and then only in extenuating circumstances that can be proven.
I will do my best to accommodate all documented disabilities. See <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/students/dss/index.html> for information.
I am very strict about deadlines, for two reasons: (1) I have very limited grading time, and late papers make it hard for me to return graded papers in a timely manner; and (2) I want everyone to have exactly the same amount of work time for the sake of fairness. Please do not put me in the position of trying to decide arbitrarily how late is "late." Take responsibility for getting work to me at the beginning of class when it is due, not ten minutes, two hours, or a day later. I want your work, not your reasons for lateness. Rest assured that everyone is being treated equally.
IMPORTANT: I insist on academic integrity. You are responsible for understanding all aspects of University regulations regarding academic integrity. Breaches of academic integrity, including but not limited to cheating (e.g., copying another person's work or obtaining examination answers in a dishonest manner) and plagiarism (i.e., using another person's words or ideas without proper acknowledgment), whether intentional or accidental, will result in a zero for the assignment or examination; additional sanctions may be imposed by the University administration. Note that American rules regarding plagiarism might differ markedly from those in other countries. You can find more information in the University Handbook and in the document, "Avoiding Academic Misconduct" <http://faculty.washington.edu/davidgs/Integrity.html>. I will help you any way I can so you can succeed while maintaining academic integrity. I truly want you to do well. Visit my office hours often!
This course requires the use of e-mail and the World Wide Web, with which we will assist you. You must obtain a UW Net ID (for using various UW services) and a UWB NT account (for using UWB campus computers). Go to <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/library/newstudent.html> for instructions for obtaining a UW Net ID and a UWB NT account. Remember your passwords!
You also are required to register for BLS 347 area in Blackboard, an online courseware site at <http://bb.bothell.washington.edu>. Instructions have been provided in class.
Starting no later than noon on Thursday, January 10, you are required to check your e-mail account at least once a week (i.e., do not let more than seven days pass without checking) and to read all messages except the ones marked "Opt." in the subject line. Note that you can check University e-mail accounts anywhere you have access to the World Wide Web, including public libraries, by using MyUW <http://myuw.washington.edu>. Important: If you do not usually use your UW e-mail account, immediately have it forwarded to one that you check regularly by following the simple directions at MyUW <http://myuw.washington.edu>. (Click on "UW Net ID Resources" and then on "Change your forwarding.") As noted in your Student Handbook, the University and I have only your official UW e-mail address and will send all mail to it, so you will miss important messages if you do not have them forwarded to an account you check regularly.
Students learn at least as much from one another as from their instructors. I consider class participation to be a critical component of every course, so it also is a critical component of your grade.
When we meet in small groups, I will provide you with a sign-in list. Each time you participate in your small group discussion, you will earn a few participation points. Note that if you are absent, you cannot earn these points, because they are based on contributions in a group setting. Most of the available participation points will be earned in this manner. I also expect occasional contributions to online discussions. I will make it clear when I expect an online response.
In emergent, unforeseeable circumstances (e.g., significant illness) or for religious holidays, I might grant an "excused" absence, in which case a missed group excercise will not count against you. To request an excused absence, contact me by e-mail within a week and explain your absence. Be prepared to provide proof if requested. If I excuse the absence, I will deduct that day's number of available points from the total number of points for which you are responsible at the end of the course. For example, if you miss a three-point exercise, I will divide the total number of points you earn by 197 instead of 200 at the end of the course. I will not excuse absences related to work, other coursework, traffic, computer problems, chronic health problems not registered with Disabled Student Services <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/students/dss/index.html>, minor illnesses, or typical family matters like childcare. I am quite sympathetic to such problems, but I expect students to set their own priorities and to take responsibility for the consequences of choices. If you expect significant conflicts throughout the quarter, you should consider taking this course at another time. If continuing issues arise in the middle of the quarter, you might wish to contact Student Affairs <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/students/> to discuss a hardship withdrawal. I will excuse no more than ten points for any student in a course.
If you miss a class in which an assignment is due, you are responsible for getting the assignment to me by e-mail as an attachment (if your assignment is in Microsoft Word) by the beginning of class time on the due date. It is your responsibility to learn how to send an attachment if you do not already know how to do so; it is fairly easy. (I will make exceptions only for extreme, unpredictable circumstances that prevent you from getting the assignment to me on time.) If you miss a class in which I return graded work, you are responsible for arranging the return of your work. In courses with scheduled or unscheduled ("pop") quizzes, quizzes cannot be made up, but in most courses, I disregard the lowest quiz grade, so a missed quiz would be that disregarded grade. Just be sure you do not miss any others.
Note that I do not grade on attendance, but on participation. However, numerous absences inevitably decrease your level of participation. Moreover, although most of the media used in class are available on reserve at the Media Center <http://www.bothell.washington.edu/media/>, you are much better off watching or listening to them in class and participating in discussing them.
I will give a few "discretionary" participation points at the end of the course based on your own self-evaluation and on my observation of your participation in whole-class discussions. I know that some students are reluctant to speak in a large group. I understand the fear of speaking out, but I also strongly believe that when everyone contributes, everyone learns more; I want you to share your ideas. My courses provide an opportunity to face and overcome your reticence. Your classmates and I will do our best to be friendly and respectful! College is the time to take some calculated risks in order to grow. In this effort and in all others in the course, I expect excellence from you.
Welcome to the course!
If you need to drop: You and I both invest a significant amount of time and effort having you in this course, so it is unfortunate when students do not complete a course that they began, especially a course in which other students were denied entry. Sometimes, however, students need to drop a course for good reasons. If that should become the case, you can drop the course by following University procedures as outlined in the Student Handbook (or ask one of the IAS counselors for assistance). I also ask, as a favor, that you send me an e-mail message notifying me. Of course, I hope everyone who starts the course can complete it, so your work and time and mine are put to good use!
This page last updated March 10, 2002.
