Jenkins, Nicholas G.

English

University of Montana

University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of MontanaSyllabi Course Syllabi9-2013MAR 304.50: Modern Horror FilmNicholas G. JenkinsUniversity of Montana - Missoula, nicholas1.jenkins@umontana.eduLet us know how access to this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabiThis Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted forinclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contactscholarworks@mso.umt.edu.Recommended CitationJenkins, Nicholas G., "MAR 304.50: Modern Horror Film" (2013). Syllabi. 521.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/521THE MODERN HORROR FILMMAR 304.50 Online CourseInstructor: Nicholas Jenkins E-Mail: profnickienkins@gmail.comOffice Hours: Since this is an "Online Class” I have set aside time throughout the sem ester to answer emails. Typically I can get back to m ost emails within 24 hours. If you are having an emergency with something class related and cannot get a hold of me, please contact the Media Arts Office at 406.243.4540 and ask if they can locate me on campus."Read Marcus Aurelius. Of each particular thing ask: what is it in itself? What is itsnature?"- Hannibal 'The Cannibal” LecterCourse Description:The horror genre is one of the m ost profitable in the history of filmmaking. It is lauded by some, rebuked by others, but enjoyed by millions. But w hat makes this genre of filmmaking so popular and powerful? Why does it endure in all forms of art? W hat is it about horror that draws so many people in and keeps them coming back? These questions as well as others we will attem pt to answer in this 15-week online course. You will explore the changing landscape of the horror film since 1960, studying the movies in filmic terms (Acting, Directing, Cinematography, Music, etc...] and sociological importance. Through online discussions, selected readings, multimedia projects, and online lectures, we will seek to understand the often-controversial genre of horror.COURSE MATERIALS:Required Text:The Horror Film by Peter HutchingsISBN-10: 0582437946 ISBN-13: 978-0582437944This is NOT a suggested  text. It is REQUIRED. I have scanned in the first two chapters and ONLY the first two chapters of the book to give you tim e to get it ordered and shipped. We do weekly  readings from the text that you will be quizzed on and expected to understand for the exams. Movies:It will be your responsibility to acquire copies of all the required films we will be viewing. A list is provided on this syllabus in the "Schedule” section. Also there is a list on Blackboard with links to each movie’s page on www.imdb.com. ALL of these films are available on Netflix (a few as Instant Streaming] as well as most local video stores. Also, Amazon.com has many of them  on their instant streaming rental option.You will also be required to have access to a computer that is capable of viewing Quicktime Movies and YouTube videos. In the Top of the Topics Outline section of this class on Moodle you will find Introductory Videos that will test your computer's ability to play videos. If you can view those movies, you’ll have no problem with any of the media in the class. If you cannot view those movies, contact me immediately so I can help you find a suitable solution to the problem.Course Expectations:Students will develop the abilities to...•Articulate how the Horror Film (and the Genre as a whole] Functions.• Understand the Change that Horror Films Have Undergone Since 1960.•Criticaiiy Analyze the Selected Fiimsfor Common Themes and Iconography.•Critically Analyze the Selected Fiimsfor Sociological Relevance and Importance.•Communicate Film Specific Ideas and Concepts About What Horror Is.Course Requirements:There are 150 points possible in this ciass. These points are divided into four categories.1. Online Discussions2. Weekly Assignments3. Exams and Quizzes4. Final PaperGrading Guidelines:I have sought to make grading as clear as I can. If you have any questions, please contact me.1. Online Forums.The Forum Discussions will be graded as follows:• Participation -  you will be required to make a certain amount of posts for each discussion as well as a certain amount of responses. Each discussion will list the requirem ents for participation at the s ta rt•Vocabulary -  You will be expected to communicate your ideas using terms and ideas we have discussed in readings, assignments, and film lectures.2. Weekly Assignments.You will be expected to complete the assigned Learning Units within the given dates (usually a 7 day period). Each assignment is different but all of them are exercises used to gauge your understanding of the Horror Genre so I will be looking for...• Completion -  The Learning Units will be made available for a certain amount of time on Moodle and you will have until the Units are taken offline to complete them. Everything will be submitted on Moodle OR through Email. It will be clear in each assignment how that assignment should be submitted.•Vocabulary and Coherence -  You will be discussing ideas and concepts relating to the films we have watched. Be clear and concise.3. Exams and Quizzes.You will have Quizzes after every lecture and reading assignment. These are self-explanatory and are simply there to make sure you have a solid understanding of the material before we get into discussions. Quizzes will be "Multiple Choice” or "Fill in the Blank” type tests, while the Exams (a Mid Term and Final) will be Essay4. Final Papers.Papers will be assigned at the Mid Term. You will be doing a Synopsis, a Breakdown of the film based on readings, and an analysis of a Horror Film that we HAVE NOT covered in the class. Similarly to discussions and assignments, you will be expected to use Vocabulary and Concepts introduced in the class and articulate common themes and iconography.Grade Breakdowns Are As Follows:Grade Points P ercen tA 140 -150  points and above 93 % and aboveA- 135 - 139 points 90 - 92 %B+ 130 -134  points 87 - 89 %B 125 - 129 points 83 - 86 %B- 120 -124  points 80 - 82 %C+ 115 -119 points 77 - 79 %C 110 -114  points 73 - 76 %C- 105 -109 points 70 - 72 %D+ 100 -104  points 67 - 69 %D 95 - 99 points 60 - 66 %F 94 points and below 59 % and belowEXTRA CREDIT:There will be a one time Extra Credit assignment at Mid-Term that entails a small paper. It will be the only Extra Credit in the class and I encourage EVERYONE to take advantage of it.HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS1. Visit this Moodle Page several tim es per week. Make sure you check for all recent announcements and DOUBLE CHECK that you have turned in all assigned work before the deadline. If you are unsure of whether or not an assignment or quiz has been turned in (as the gradebook can be difficult to read sometimes) feel free to email me and ask.2. Devote tim e to your work. Not only should you be committing to THINK about w hat you write, but you should also proof your work before you turn it in to me. If I can't understand what you've written, then you w on't get a grade for it. Also, be aware that if you misspell a filmmaker's name, or a vocabulary word, YOU WILL BE DOCKED POINTS.3. Contact the instructor. Never feel as though you are bothering me with emails. It is my responsibility to answer your emails and help you with problems relating to this class, but it is YOUR responsibility to ask the questions. In fact, I recommend you email me at the start of the class just to make sure I am receiving your emails and responding to you.All students m ust practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a discipiinaiy sanction by the University. Ail students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available fo r  review online at http://www.umt.edu/SA/vpsa/index.cfm/paae/1339ScheduleThough fairly thorough, this list doesn’t  include all of the activities you’ll be doing. You will notice that I ask you to watch the upcoming film BEFORE we begin the section on that film. When you finish the sections for one week, watch the film for next week.ALL BLOCKS ARE ASSIGNED ON A MONDAY AND ARE DUE THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY ATMIDNIGHT!August 26th - September 1stIntroduction to the ClassWhere The Horror Film Started: Horror in the Movies to 1960Discussion and Quiz on Early Horror History Understanding the Filmic LingoWatch: PSYCHO (1960)Septem ber 1st  -  8thModern Horror Begins Discussion and Quiz on PSYCHO Watch: THE EXORCIST (1973)September 9th - 15thDiscussion and Quiz on THE EXORCIST Introduction to Psychoanalysis Understanding AbjectionWatch: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) in preparation for next week.September 16th - 22ndDiscussion and Quiz on THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Introduction to Sound In HorrorWatch: THE SHINING (1980)September 23rd - 29thFamily And HorrorDiscussion and Quiz on THE SHINING Understanding Performance in the Horror FilmWatch: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)September 30th - October 6thDiscussion and Quiz on A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET Understanding Sexuality in the Horror FilmWatch: AUDITION (2000) in preparation for next week.October 7th - 13 thDiscussion and Quiz on AUDITIONUnderstanding Sexual Difference and Savage Cinema.FINAL PAPERS Assigned MID-TERM EXAM Goes Live EXTRA-CREDIT PAPER assigned  Watch: THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE (2001)October 14th  -  20thDiscussion and Quiz on THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE Understanding the history of Gothic Horror/RomanceWatch: The Blair Witch Project (1999)October 21st - 27thThe Reality o f HorrorDiscussion and Quiz on THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT Perception of Reality in Cinema Part 1Watch: LAKE MUNGO [2008] in preparation for next week.October 28th - November 3rdDiscussion and Quiz on LAKE MUNGO Perception of Reality in Cinema Part 2Watch: HOSTEL (2005]November 4th - 10th...And BeyondDiscussion and Quiz on HOSTEL Postulating the Future of HorrorWatch: THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2011)November 11th - 17thDiscussion and Quiz on The Cabin in the WoodsDiscussion on the ideas of sacrifice and why w e need Horror.Watch: Evil Dead (2013)November 18th - 24thDiscussion and Quiz on Evil Dead Addiction, Reboots and RemakesStudy for Finals.November 25th - December 1stThanksgiving Break. No units assigned or due.December 2nd - 9thFinal Exam Goes Live Final Papers due

MAR 304.50: Modern Horror Film

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MAR 304.50: Modern Horror Film

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