• Silent Film Exhibition Research Project 20%
• Midterm Exam 20%
• Soundtrack Assignment 20%
• Final Exam 25%
• In-Class Film Responses 5%
• Participation 10%

NOTES:

Lecture/Screening/Tutorial

Normally lecture will be divided into two or three parts. Typically the first hour to 90 minutes will be lecture, followed by the screening of that week’s film. Sometimes lectures will follow the film. Tutorials will be devoted to close discussion of the films and readings. If for any reason you miss a screening, you are responsible for seeing the film on your own. Most -- not all -- films will be on reserve or available online.

In-Class Response Writing

To facilitate discussion in tutorial, there will be a short writing response based on the screening and/or reading that you will be required to complete at the beginning of tutorial. You should write these responses on the index card provided (with your name and student number) and submit them to your TA. These responses will be graded pass/fail and will make up 5% of your final grade.

Essay Assignments

You’ll receive a detailed prompt for both of the assignments in class – these prompts will also be posted to Canvas. Essays and other assignments should be submitted on the day they are due. Each student has a total of 5 days’ worth of extensions that can be used throughout the semester on any assignment or the take-home portion of the midterm exam – no extensions can be used on the final exam. You can use one or more of these extension days when you need a little extra time to finish your assignment – as long as you have not used up your five days, there is no need to contact me or your TA to request an extension. Once you have used your five days, late assignments will be graded down each day (i.e. B+ becomes a B, etc). Students must complete all assignments in order to pass the course.

Attendance and Participation

As discussion is a big part of the course, attendance and participation in lecture, screenings, and tutorial will be crucial to your success and the success of the class overall. Come to tutorial having watched the film, completed all the readings and prepared to discuss them thoughtfully with your classmates. All absences will affect your participation grade (10% of your final grade), but any student missing more than four tutorials will receive an F for the course.

Office Hours and Correspondence

Students are encouraged to visit me during my office hours (Tuesdays, 12-2pm
in GCA3845) or by appointment. The best way to reach me is always via email, jec10@sfu.ca.

Exams/lectures/reading

Exams will cover key material from the lectures, required readings, and screenings.

• Lectures will often cover things not included in the readings. If you miss a lecture you should get notes from a classmate, check to see if there is a Powerpoint on Canvas, and come to see me with questions.
• We will not always get the opportunity to discuss the readings in detail in class. If you have questions about readings you should raise these in tutorial or see your TA or me during office hours.

Academic integrity and dishonesty

Students are responsible for understanding and following SFU’s standards of academic integrity. You are REQUIRED to complete the plagiarism tutorial on Canvas. It is not included in your grade, but it is required that you complete it before you will receive a final grade in this class. Please do this in the first week of the semester.

Students are encouraged to consult the following websites for more information and for links to the policies that govern academic integrity at SFU:

http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/academic-integrity/plagiarism

https://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html

Writing assistance

It is difficult to provide all the support necessary for learning to write well in this course. I will provide some tips before the first assignment. Also, feel free to see your TAs or me during office hours. We don't however have time to edit your papers or provide help with serious problems with writing, grammar or usage. All students can benefit from seeking assistance at the Learning Commons in the library. You can make an appointment to discuss your papers there. Visit http://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc for more information.

Additional resources – especially useful for those who speak/write English as a second language – can be found at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

A final note on computer use in class: In this class we will be watching lots of films – during film screenings the use of illuminated screens is very distracting to other students. For this reason, students must put away all electronic devices whenever the lights are lowered for film screenings. Laptops and other devices may be used for note taking or other class related uses during lectures only when the lights are on