EXPLODING
May
Term 2009
Mark Rubinfeld
Foster 308
Office phone:
832-2430; Home phone: 364-1228
E-mail: mrubinfeld@westminstercollege.edu
Office Hours: Thursdays
Course
Description:
This course analyzes the cultural influences and social implications of
Required
Articles:
Arroyo, Jose. “
Butazzo, Giorgio.
“Can a Machine Ever Become Self-Aware?”
De Garis, Hugo. “The
Artilect War.”
Dyer, Richard.
“Action.”
Fingeroth, Danny.
“Amazon Grace.”
Gross, Larry. “Big
and Loud”
Hicks, Neill and
Amund Lie. “The Fundamental Action-Adventure Film.”
Kramer, Peter. “It’s
Aimed at Kids.”
Marrelli, Alison.
“The Star Trek Phenomenon.”
O’Day, Marc. “Beauty
in Motion.”
Rubinfeld, Mark.
“Why Americans Love
Rubinfeld, Mark.
“Why Lara Croft Should Kick Spider-Man’s Ass.”
Course
Objectives:
Utilizing a variety
of learning tools including readings, lectures, class discussions, DVD’s, and
field trips, this class’s examination of
·
To
appreciate the cultural, ideological, and social implications of
·
To
understand the American values that
· To evaluate the gender and racial dimensions of Hollywood action films.
·
To
develop proficiency in film theory and social theory.
·
To
improve critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills.
Assignments and Grading:
Final grades will be
based on the following: a ten-to-twelve page (double spaced) journal that, in
an on-going fashion, critically reflects on the class readings, lectures,
and/or film viewings in terms of the central issues outlined in the Course
Objectives. Active participation in classroom discussions and exercises will
serve as a positive factor in borderline grading situations. As needed, I
reserve the option of modifying this syllabus including adding or deleting
assignments.
Class Participation and
Attendance:
Classroom
discussions are important; they help to clarify various issues that arise from
the readings and add diversity to the learning experience. I expect that all
students will participate in classroom discussions and exercises. This is
especially critical in a May Term course where the classes are long (three
hours) and the term is short (eight meetings). As such, in addition to active
participation, students are expected to attend all eight classes and are required
to make it to seven of these classes to get full credit for the course. Any
student who misses two classes will have his or her final grade reduced by “two
grades” (e.g., an A will end up as a B+, an A- will end up as a B, a B+ will
end up as a B-). Any student who misses more than two classes will not pass the
class.
Students should be
aware that some of the action films we’ll be viewing/analyzing in this class
are R-rated. If any student has a problem with watching R-rated films, they
should consider taking another class.
Student-Student and
Student-Faculty Relationship:
All students must be
respectful of other students. This means no talking while other students are
talking or trying to listen. It also means showing up to class on time so as
not to disrupt the class with late arrivals. Once class begins, no chatting, no
reading outside materials, and no sleeping in class. If you must eat, make sure
it is a “quiet” food. Also, turn off your cell phones. In other words, act
appropriately for a college class—if your actions create a distraction, you
will be asked to leave. In accordance with college policies, any acts of
cheating or plagiarism will be penalized to the severest extent. My office
hours are listed at the beginning of this syllabus. At any time, feel free to
meet with me to discuss any matters relevant to this course. It is especially
important to see me early in the semester if you are having difficulties. Do
not wait till the end of the semester when there is little, if anything, I can
do to help. Finally, feel free to meet with me if you would like to learn more
about sociology, including pursuing it as a major or minor, or incorporating
its application into papers and assignments from your other classes.
|
Week |
Topic |
Assignments |
|
1 |
Introduction to the
Course – and – Key Definitions and
Concepts – and – Auteur, Genre, and
Cultural Analysis – and – Narrative
vs. Spectacle – and – Antecedents
to the Action Film: The Western and Film Noir – and – The Question of Violence
(American, European, and Asian Perspectives) – and – High Concept/Popcorn Flicks |
Tuesday
May 5 Film
Clips: “Stewie
Beats Brian” and “Peter Fights Chicken” Once Upon a Time in the West Sin City Thursday May 7 Film
Clips: Hero Galaxy Quest Due: Thursday May 7 “The Fundamental
Action-Adventure Film,” Neill D. Hicks and Amund Lie (and) “Big
and Loud,” Larry Gross. (and) “ |
|
2 |
Distinctions between
Producers and Audiences – and – Functions
of Popular Culture as Entertainment – and
– Sci-fi and Fantasy – and –
Gender, Gender Roles, and Action Films |
Tuesday May 12 ***Field
Trip*** Star Trek Due: Tuesday May 12 “It’s
Aimed at Kids,” Peter Kramer (and) “Why
Americans Love Action Films,” Mark Rubinfeld (and) “The
Star Trek Phenomenon,” Alison Marrelli Thursday May 14 Film
Clips: Bond Girls are Forever Spider-Man Thelma and Louise The Long Kiss Goodnight Lara Croft Tomb Raider Kill Bill: Vol. 2 Due: Thursday May 14 “Why
Lara Croft Should Kick Spider Man’s Ass,” Mark Rubinfeld (and) “Action,”
Richard Dyer (and) “Amazon
Grace,” Danny Fingeroth |
|
3 |
Gender, Gender Roles,
and Action Films – and – Race and
Action Films – and – The Question
of Villains: Who Are the Bad Guys? – and – Narrative/
Structural Analysis – and – Generic and Cultural
Alternatives and Resistances – and
– Getting Ready for Terminator:
More Sci-Fi and Fantasy (Or Is It?) |
Tuesday May 19 ***In-Class
Film Screening*** Aliens Due: Tuesday May 19 “Beauty
in Motion,” Marc O’Day Thursday Mary 21 Film
Clips: Lethal Weapon Déjŕ Vu Billy Jack Deep Impact Point Break Dirty Harry Rambo: First Blood Part II Terminator 2 Due: Thursday May 21 “Can
a Machine Ever Become Self-Aware,” Giorgio Butazzo “The
Artilect War,” Hugo de Garis |
|
4 |
The Question of
Villains: Who Are the Bad Guys? – and –
Narrative/ Structural Analysis – and –
Generic and Cultural Alternatives and Resistances – and – Summing Up – and
– Presentation and Analysis of Students’ Favorite Action Film Clips |
Tuesday May 26 ***FIELD
TRIP*** Terminator: Salvation Thursday May 28 (Last Class) Film Clips: Students’ Choice Due: Thursday May 28 (Last Class) Student Journals (and) Presentation and Analysis
of Students’ Favorite Action Film Clips |