COURSE INTRODUCTION AND SYLLABUS

EAS 140L     Introduction to East Asian Cinema

Fall 2000

Meeting Time/Place:

Tuesdays, HUM-039, 7:15-10:05 P.M.Thursdays, HUM-124, 7:15-9:00 P.M.

Instructor: Prof. James M. Hargett; HUM 246, 442-4233

E-mail: Jim_Harget@yahoo.com

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 09:00-10:00 A.M. (or by appointment)

Course Description and Introduction

This is an introductory film course on East Asian cinema. This semester we will examine several films by the well-known Chinese film director (Mr.)Zhang Yimou (1950- ). The goals of the class are (1) to identify the main themes and issues in Zhang Yimou's most representative films;(2) to explore how these themes and issues relate to China's past; and (3) to identify how these themes and issues relate to contemporary China. We will use three methods to realize these goals: first, we will view the films closely (I will provide background on the films as needed); second, we will discuss and analyze the films at length in our Thursday classes; and third, you will write a series of one-page "think papers" on various issues related to the films.

What Will You Learn in This Course?

In many ways, cinematic texts are mirrors. That is to say, in addition to providing entertainment, they also reflect many social, political, historical, cultural, and economic issues. In this course you will be taught how to identify, decode, and understand these issues as they appear in cinematic texts, specifically, representative films of Zhang Yimou.

Class Organization

The class will meet twice weekly. Typically, during the first session (Tuesday, in HUM-039) you will view the week's film. The second class (Thursday, in HUM-124) will be devoted to discussing and decoding the film, with particular attention paid to major (and recurrent) themes and images. Background details (historical, cultural, and so on) will be provided by the instructor as needed. Copies of the films viewed in the course will not be available on reserve in the library or from the instructor, so attendance is essential. Please note: no drink or food consumption during class!Also, no cell phones or beepers!

Prerequisites: None. This is a survey course open to anyone. No previous knowledge of East Asia is required. All the films viewed in this course are in English.

Grading: Your final grade will be determined by (1) your attendance, preparation, and contributions to class discussions (25%); (2)your grade on the mid-term exam (25%); (3) your average grade on the three think papers (25%); and (4) your grade on the final exam (25%). Warning: if you tend to miss classes and hand in assignments late, this is probably not the clas for you.

Attendance and Makeups: Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken. (If you fail to answer the roll call or arrice late to class and fail to sign the attendance sheet, you will be marked absent; if you forget to sign the attendance sheet, you will be marked absent.) One absence is allowed. An additional class cut beyond the allotted one absence will result in a "plus"/"minus" reduction in the final grade. In other words, if you cut two classes over the course of the semester and earn a "B" in the course, your final grade will be B-; three class cuts would get you a C+, and so on. No one will be excused from class for any reason (except perhaps, a medical emergency, for which you must produce a letter from a physician saying youwere physically unable to attend class). No makeups will be given for any reason. Late think papers will not be accepted for any reason.

Academic Integrity: The discovery of any cheating (including plagiarism or shared work of any kind) on an exam or written assignment will result in (1) immediate expulsion from the course with a failing grade; and (2) a report to appropriate SUNY officials. Appeals may be made through appropriate channels. Note: copying anything from a site on the WEB without citatio is plagiarism!

How to do well in this course: (1) complete all assignments on time; (2) view the films carefully (take notes!); (3) attend class regularly (take detailed notes!); (4) don't come to class late (the teacher really, really dislikes late arrivals because they disrupt the class); (5) actively participate in classroom discussions (this means raise your hand and participate!). Additional tip: you may want to bring a small flashlight to class on Tuesdays, because it's hard to write notes in the dark.

Thursday, 26 Oct.: Introduction to the course.

Tuesday, 31 Oct.: Film:Judou (1989)

Thursday, 2 Nov.: Think paper #1 due. discussion ofJudou.

Tuesday, 7 Nov.: Film: Raise the Red Lantern (1991).

Thursday, 9 Nov.: Discussion of Raise the Red Lantern.

Tuesday, 14 Nov.: Film: The Story of Qiu Ju (1992)

Thursday, 16 Nov.: Discussion of The Story of Qiu Ju.

Tuesday, 21 Nov. Midterm Examination

Thursday, 23 Nov.: No class. (Thanksgiving)
Tuesday, 28 Nov.: Film: To Live! (1997)

Thursday, 30 Nov.: Discussion: To Live.Think paper #2 due.

Tuesday, 5 Dec.: Film: The Road Home.

Thursday, 7 Dec.: Discussion: The Road Home.

Tuesday, 12 Dec.: Last class. Review? Think paper #3 due.

Final Exam:  Tuesday, 19 December, 8:00-10:00 P.M., HUM 039 (please do not ask to take the final exam early; no early exams will be given; everyone must take the final exam on 19 December). Remember that the final exam will be given in Hum. 039 (not in Hum. 124).