English 160 - Fall, 2011

Film as Narrative

Class Information

Instructor: Watkins, Evan
CRN: 62456
Time: MW 3:10-6:00
Location: 1309 Surge III

Description

I Want a Good Story

Films like fiction tell stories, but not usually in the same way. I’ll try to screen at least one film a week, and sometimes two, to use as examples of different kinds of film narrative. During the term we’ll explore several perspectives on narrative, including the processes of constructing a narrative in relation to the soundtrack and visual elements of a film. Among other issues the readings for class will also address genre differences among film narratives, the way in which specific genre structures require different kinds of narrative; questions of “realism,” with its tensions between character driven and plot driven construction; and how narratives structure representations of social relations within the film as well as spectator positions among viewers. Since one of the primary goals for the class is to develop the conceptual skills necessary for reading and understanding theoretical analysis and for writing critically about film, grading for the course will be based primarily on papers. The writing you do will be central to the course, a crucial part of learning to think conceptually about the larger cultural functions of film.

Grading

20% short paper
30% 5 pg paper
30% in class exercises
20% take home essay final

Texts

Course Reader
Narration in the Fiction Film, David Bordwell