Syllabus
Fall 2018
Dr. Alexandra Hidalgo, Assistant Professor
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures
Office: 265 Bessey Hall
Office Hours: Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Email: hidalgo5@msu.edu
Dr. Alexandra Hidalgo, Assistant Professor
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures
Office: 265 Bessey Hall
Office Hours: Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Email: hidalgo5@msu.edu
Course Goals And Outcomes
This course is an introduction to the study of documentary film. Through a combination of watching documentary films and reading theoretical writing, you will:
- Develop a sense of the kinds of questions documentaries address and the techniques they use to address them.
- Become familiar with a number of approaches to representing reality through documentary film.
- Develop a basic understanding of the history of documentary film.
- Learn to apply theoretical thinking to analyze documentary films.
Required Texts
You will need to purchase these two texts:
Introduction to Documentary by Bill Nichols
Third Edition
Publisher: Indiana University Press; Third Edition (2017)
We will watch and discuss films in class every Monday. It is mandatory for you to attend those screenings and discussions. If you miss one, you will be responsible for watching the films on your own. I have provided ways to find the films on the calendar in case you miss them.
Introduction to Documentary by Bill Nichols
Third Edition
Publisher: Indiana University Press; Third Edition (2017)
We will watch and discuss films in class every Monday. It is mandatory for you to attend those screenings and discussions. If you miss one, you will be responsible for watching the films on your own. I have provided ways to find the films on the calendar in case you miss them.
Projects
Documentary Presentation (10%)
For this 7-9 minute Powerpoint/Prezi presentation, you will screen the preview or a short scene from a documentary we are not watching in class. By discussing three of its filmmaking elements (cinematography, sound, soundtrack, editing, character development, affect, historical/political/social message), you will make a case for why the film should be part of a class like this one.
Analytical Essay (40%)
In this 5-6 page (1,500-1,800 words) essay, you will choose one film we have watched in class and using two of our readings, as well as two outside sources, you’ll analyze the piece’s arguments or craft.
Podcast (40%)
In groups of 3 students, you will create a 3-5 minute podcast in which you use narration and sound recordings from two of the documentaries we’ve watched this semester in order to make arguments about the ways in which these films portray gender, race, sexuality, class, ability, or nationality. You will need to cite two sources we have read in class, as well as two outside sources. We will learn how to use Audacity in order to record and edit your podcasts.
For this 7-9 minute Powerpoint/Prezi presentation, you will screen the preview or a short scene from a documentary we are not watching in class. By discussing three of its filmmaking elements (cinematography, sound, soundtrack, editing, character development, affect, historical/political/social message), you will make a case for why the film should be part of a class like this one.
Analytical Essay (40%)
In this 5-6 page (1,500-1,800 words) essay, you will choose one film we have watched in class and using two of our readings, as well as two outside sources, you’ll analyze the piece’s arguments or craft.
Podcast (40%)
In groups of 3 students, you will create a 3-5 minute podcast in which you use narration and sound recordings from two of the documentaries we’ve watched this semester in order to make arguments about the ways in which these films portray gender, race, sexuality, class, ability, or nationality. You will need to cite two sources we have read in class, as well as two outside sources. We will learn how to use Audacity in order to record and edit your podcasts.
Reading Assignments
For almost every Wednesday class period I will assign readings. You will not succeed in this course if you don’t keep up with the readings. Watching the films with your peers is just as important.
Reading Quizzes (10%)
Quizzes will take place at the beginning of each class for which readings have been assigned. The questions will be easy to answer if you do the readings and pay attention to the points the authors are making. Quizzes will be worth one point each. You will start the semester with 10 points. If you don’t miss any quizzes, you will have 10 points at the end. If you miss half a quiz, you’ll have 9.5 points, if you miss a whole quiz, you will have 9 points, and so on. The quizzes’ role is to give you an incentive to engage with the texts we discuss in class, since without understanding the assigned texts, you will not profit from this course.
Reading Quizzes (10%)
Quizzes will take place at the beginning of each class for which readings have been assigned. The questions will be easy to answer if you do the readings and pay attention to the points the authors are making. Quizzes will be worth one point each. You will start the semester with 10 points. If you don’t miss any quizzes, you will have 10 points at the end. If you miss half a quiz, you’ll have 9.5 points, if you miss a whole quiz, you will have 9 points, and so on. The quizzes’ role is to give you an incentive to engage with the texts we discuss in class, since without understanding the assigned texts, you will not profit from this course.
Attendance
Students will be expected to show up for every class and pay attention, but I realize that illnesses and other complications do occur. Therefore, you may miss three classes without penalty. After that, two percentage points will be deducted for every unexcused absence. If you miss more than six classes, whether your absences are excused or not, you will receive a failing grade. For extended absences due to medical or family emergencies, you should consult me upon return, if not sooner. A student who attends class but is not participating or paying attention may be counted as absent. Tardiness disrupts the class and everyone’s learning experience, so every tardy equals half an absence. The same applies for anyone who leaves class early. Bonus points will be awarded to students who miss fewer than their allotted three absences and who participate responsibly in class. You will receive an extra credit percentage point per each class you attend beyond your allotted three absences, i.e. if you miss no classes and have no tardies, you will earn three percentage points of extra credit.
Late Work
An assignment received after the due date is considered late (unless prior arrangements have been made). Late work is penalized 20% for each day it is late. After five days, including weekends, late projects receive a 0.
Grading
Your final grade is made up of 100 points. Here is the breakdown:
Quizzes (10 points)
Throughout the semester.
Documentary Presentation (10 points)
You will sign up for a date to present.
Analytical Essay (40 points)
10/16 by class time: Proposal
10/30 by class time: Draft
11/8 by 11:59pm: Final version
Podcast (40 points)
10/23 during class: Select group members:
11/6 by class time: Proposal
Session 1 on 11/20 and Session 2 on 11/25 by class time: Draft 1
Session 1 on 12/2 and Session 2 on 12/4 by class time: Draft 2
12/6 by 11:59pm: Final Draft
I will use the following scale to determine your grades:
94-100 = 4.0
87-93 = 3.5
80-86 = 3.0
75-79 = 2.5
70-74 = 2.0
65-69 = 1.5
60-64 = 1.0
< 59 = 0
Quizzes (10 points)
Throughout the semester.
Documentary Presentation (10 points)
You will sign up for a date to present.
Analytical Essay (40 points)
10/16 by class time: Proposal
10/30 by class time: Draft
11/8 by 11:59pm: Final version
Podcast (40 points)
10/23 during class: Select group members:
11/6 by class time: Proposal
Session 1 on 11/20 and Session 2 on 11/25 by class time: Draft 1
Session 1 on 12/2 and Session 2 on 12/4 by class time: Draft 2
12/6 by 11:59pm: Final Draft
I will use the following scale to determine your grades:
94-100 = 4.0
87-93 = 3.5
80-86 = 3.0
75-79 = 2.5
70-74 = 2.0
65-69 = 1.5
60-64 = 1.0
< 59 = 0
Services and Resources
MSU Writing Center: http://writing.msu.edu. 432-3610. 300 Bessey Hall. The MSU Writing Center is the primary writing resource on campus. You’ll also find satellite centers in several campus locations including the main library.
MSU ESL Lab: http://www.elc.msu.edu. 353-0800. 714 Wells Hall. The ESL Lab assists international students with writing in a second language.
MSU Learning Resource Center: http://lrc.msu.edu/. 202 Bessey Hall. This center offers individualized assistance to help students develop successful learning strategies and study habits.
MSU Libraries: http://www.lib.msu.edu/.
Purdue OWL: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. Purdue’s Online Writing Lab provides information about writing, such as how to use MLA and how to plan and structure your texts.
MSU ESL Lab: http://www.elc.msu.edu. 353-0800. 714 Wells Hall. The ESL Lab assists international students with writing in a second language.
MSU Learning Resource Center: http://lrc.msu.edu/. 202 Bessey Hall. This center offers individualized assistance to help students develop successful learning strategies and study habits.
MSU Libraries: http://www.lib.msu.edu/.
Purdue OWL: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. Purdue’s Online Writing Lab provides information about writing, such as how to use MLA and how to plan and structure your texts.
Americans with Disabilities Act
In order to receive any accommodation for any disability, students must first register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD). The RCPD will request appropriate documentation and make a determination regarding the nature of the accommodation to which a students is entitled. The RCPD will then give the student a “visa” that specifies the kind of accommodation that may be provided. It is then the responsibility of the student seeking accommodation to present the visa to his/her instructor.
Mandatory Reporting
Michigan State University is committed to fostering a culture of caring and respect that is free of relationship violence and sexual misconduct, and to ensuring that all affected individuals have access to services. For information on reporting options, confidential advocacy and support resources, university policies and procedures, or how to make a difference on campus, visit the Title IX website. As the instructor, I must report the following information to other university offices (including the Department of Police and Public Safety) if you share it with me verbally, in writing, in conversation during or outside class, and/or as part of your course assignments:
- Suspected child abuse/neglect, even if this maltreatment happened in the past;
- Allegations of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or sexual harassment; and
- Credible threats of harm to oneself or to others.
Basic Needs Support
Any student in this class who experiences difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, is urged to contact their academic advisor for support. You may also contact the MSU Food Bank for help getting access to healthy foods. Furthermore, if you are experiencing any other challenges with basic needs, you may also notify me, and I will work to connect you with any resources that I may have access to.
