Class Review 8/26/09

In our first day of class, we went over the syllabus in detail and discussed the general philosophy of the class. If you need a copy of the syllabus, please ask me or Kathy Vogt (administrative assistant in the Film and Media Department). In class, we also went over how to use the blog as well as the expectations for each posting. If you would like more help using the blog, please schedule a time with me or stop by my office hours (M/W 2-3PM). In addition, students completed surveys about films that they have seen &/ would like to see. This information will help shape the schedule of the class. Last off, we agreed to going on at least one field trip to the Ragtag Cinema for the Passport Film Series (which presents contemporary films from around the globe with screenings every Wednesday and Thursday @ 7pm).

Homework for Monday's class:
1. Read the syllabus and come prepared to ask questions, make suggestions, and finalize the syllabus. After Monday's class, we will stick to the syllabus and I will treat it as a contractual document.
2. Get the course textbook: The Oxford history of world cinema (ed. G. Nowell-Smith) and read the General Introduction (pp. xix) and Introduction (pp. 3).
The book is available at the Stephens bookstore (please ask if you don't see it on the shelves). You can also check out the book at the Stephens Library (it is on 4-hr course reserve). The call # is PN1994.R36. The book is also available for purchase online, new and used. Please make sure to take shipping time into account if you buy online.
3. Read the article (hand-out), "What is a nation?"
4. Respond to the reading in a blog post.
5. Choose one word or concept in your reading that you are unfamiliar with or confused by. Research the word/concept and post your findings on the blog as well. This is part of the weekly writing assignment.
6. Look over your schedules for the next 2 months and research the films in the Passport Series. On Monday, we will decide which films we want to see and schedule our field trip/s.
7. Get excited about international cinema, global politics, and foreign cultures!

See you Monday!