INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIAN CINEMA

EAS140  (8044)

Spring 2005 Fourth Quarter

 

Class Time and Location: MW 5:45–8:35 in CH 151

Instructor: Mark Blum

Office: HU 254E

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 1:00–2:00

Phone: 442-4183

e-mail: mblum@albany.edu

 

 

            This course is a general introduction to East Asian – in this case focusing mostly on post-War Japanese-speaking cinema. The course presumes no prior knowledge of East Asia or cinema and its artistic tradition. The goal of the course is to view and discuss, as a class, six films, emphasizing an understanding of their cultural background and an appreciation of their aesthetic merits as films and cultural settings in Japan.

 

            Please note this is a quarter course, beginning on March 14. The midterm is April 6; the final is May 9. Normally one class will be devoted to viewing a film, and the subsequent class will be devoted to discussing it, but sometimes there will be two films shown before discussion takes place. The films are generally not available in the library or from the instructor, and there can be no provisions for missed classes or missed exams. It is therefore essential that you plan to attend all meetings of this class. Do not come to class late. Wandering in and out of class is extremely distracting to the instructor and to other students in a class of this nature.

 

            Grading will be determined as follows: 20% -- class attendance, preparation, and contribution; 25% mid-term exam; 25% final exam; 30% (three reaction papers at 10% each). Attendance will be taken at each class, beginning on March 21. There will be only one opportunity to sign the sign-up sheet: at the beginning of each class. No unexcused absences are allowed. Two points (2%) will be deducted for each such absence. Numerical scores will be converted to course grades according to the following scale: A=94–100; A-=91–93; B+=88–90; B=84–87; B–=81–83; C+=78-80; C=74-77; C-=71–73; D+=68ญญ–70; D=64-67; D-=61–63; E=60 and below.

 

            Two one-page reaction papers will be due at the beginning of class on the dates assigned. Guidelines for these papers are attached If the paper is not submitted on-time, for each day you be will marked down one full grade (e.g. B –> C).

 

            There is no talking, eating, or drinking during the viewing or discussing of the films. This is an academic exercise and you must give the film your full attention. All cell phones and pagers must be turned off.

 

            The discovery of any cheating (including plagiarism or shared work of any kind) on an exam or written assignment) will result in 1) expulsion from this class with a failing grade, 2) a referral of the matter to appropriate university officials. Note that copying of any material from the Internet without citation is plagiarism. There is material concerning these films on many Internet sites, but if you take this material without citation, it's cheating, and you fail. 

 

 

Schedule

 

March 14                     Overview of the course. Film: Rashomon (Kurosawa Akira, 1950)

 

March 16                     Discussion of Rashomon – VHS IN DEPT.

 

March 21                     No Class (Spring Break)

 

March 23                     No Class (Spring Break)

 

March 28                     Film: Yojimbo (Kurosawa, 1961) – VHS in Dept.

 

March 30                     Film: Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter (Kim Ki-duk, 2004) DVD CHARLES

 

April 4                          Discussion of Yojimbo and Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter.

 

April 6                          First Reaction Paper due. Midterm Exam

 

April 11                        Film: Ran (Kurosawa, 1985) DVD Springfield

 

April 13                        Discussion of Ran

 

April 18                        Film: Tampopo (1985)

 

April 20                        Discussion of Tanpopo.

 

April 25                        Holiday

 

April 27                        A Taxing Woman (Itami Jūzō, 1987)

 

May 2                          Second Reaction Paper due. Discussion of A Taxing Woman.

           

May 9                          FINAL EXAM: 5:45 – 7:00

 

NOTE: Titles of films are subject to change without notice (depending on availability)

 

 

"Reaction Paper"

 

Guidelines

 

 

            The purpose of these short papers is NOT to summarize the plot of the film, but rather for you to articulate your own intellectual and aesthetic reactions to the film. The paper is NOT to be a simple catalogue of your impressions but rather a coherent series of observations supported by specific examples drawn from the film.

 

            * papers are limited to one double-spaced typed page (12 point type face)

            * use standard 8.5 x 11 inch white paper

            * handwritten papers will not be accepted        

            * no cover sheet is necessary

            * place your name at the top of the page

            * check carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes (run a spell-check program)

            * if English is not your native language, go to the Writing Center for assistance

            * plan the paper before your write

            * write short clear sentences

            * organize paragraphs logically

            * plan transitions between paragraphs

 

 

 

            * watch the film carefully and take detailed notes on plot, etc.

            * try to determine the main "point," "argument," or "theme" of the film

            * avoid meaningless clich้s and jargon. Example:

 

                        I feel...

                        I think...

                        At this point in time...