Course Syllabus

AMERICAN WESTERN IN FILM

Course Syllabus

Second Semester 2010/2011

BLOCK B1, TUES AND THURS 12:15-1:45

Instructor: Kurt Maier

www.kurtattrillium.blogspot.com

kurt@trilliumcharterschool.org

Cell: 503-502-5173

Overview:

This is a High School Language Arts class focusing on developing and improving analytical writing and discussion skills. Writing and classroom discussion are a REQUIRED part of this course. We will use a genre study of American Western films and TV as the basis for nearly all of our writing. At the same time we will allow for classroom discussion to guide Emergent curriculum, study and film choices. Modifications will be made for grade level, writing ability, and IEP status as required.

Possible Films:

Stagecoach

High Noon

Pale Rider

The Magnificent Seven

The Outlaw Josey Wales

The Unforgiven

Sliverado

True Grit (original)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Selected TV episodes of:

The Rifleman

The Lone Ranger

Attendance: You are expected to attend every single class, be on time and be prepared (having done any assigned readings, homework, have the necessary materials). Obviously, “Life Happens” and everyone will end up missing a day or two. If you miss a day, it is up to YOU to talk to your classmates and get notes, assignments, etc. IT WILL ALSO BE UP TO YOU TO VIEW ANY FILMS OR SECTIONS OF FILMS YOU HAVE MISSED ,ON YOUR OWN TIME AND WITH YOUR OWN RESOURCES. You can also check Kurtattrillium.blogspot.com for major assignments and syllabus updates.

You are considered to be absent if you are more than Ten (10) minutes late.

Absence issues will be dealt with on a case by case basis and may involve different consequences for different students.

Grading Policy:

The grading is based on a point system with a possible 100 points being the maximum. Completion of the course awards .5 Language Arts credit.

Participation = discussion and attendance 20pts

Paper 1 10pts

Paper 2 10pts

Paper 3 10pts

Project 25 pts

“Emergent” assignments/ Film reviews 25 pts

Breakdown:

100 A+

99 - 92 A

91 - 90 A-

89 - 88 B+

87 - 82 B

81 – 80 B-

79 – 78 C+

77 – 72 C

71 – 70 C-

69 – 60 D

59 – 0 F

NOTE: While it is officially “passing”, Oregon colleges (as well as some others) do not accept credit for classes that receive a D grade or lower.

Participation: 20%

Attending, being on time to class (and yes, I am aware that the class meets right after lunch), upholding the constitution of the school at ALL times, coming to class prepared to work and organized; these are required components of class. Points will be deducted as students are often tardy, reticent with their input, disrespectful of the class, of myself or of others, and if they miss 3 or more classes. Trillium standards and social maturity standards apply. IF THERE IS TEACHER-DETERMINED SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION TO THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE CLASS OR SCHOOL. IT WILL BE THE STUDENT AND THEIR FAMILY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE UP THE WORK and view any missed films or parts of films.

Film Reviews: 25%

Once a film has been finished in class THE NEXT DAY THE CLASS MEETS each student is responsible for turning in a brief film review that answers the following questions IN COMPLETE SENTENCES with proper spelling and grammar.

These must be legibly and neatly hand-written or typed. You must include your name and the film's title on the heading of your paper.

Reviews without a name, the film's title, and/or not using complete sentences will score a zero (no points) and will not be able to re-written for credit.

1. What was your overall opinion of the film and why?

2. What part of the film made the biggest impression on you and why?

3. What did you least like about the film and why?

4. What, besides the basic plot, was the film about? (include any themes and symbolism, etc)

Papers: 30%

Three papers will be assigned. All are required. All papers must be typed, using standard margins and fonts and meet MLA formatting and style guidelines. Students will be able to select from a set of provided essay topics or present their own (based on instructor pre-approval!). Always print up two copies: one for me and one for you to have just in case. Always make sure to save a copy of your paper to a disc, back up hard drive or even something like Google Docs. All papers turned in after the due date will be penalized with 5% off the final grade for each class day they are late. All papers are due at the START of the class on the day they are due. The instructor reserves the right to suggest or REQUIRE A RE-WRITE. If a re-write is assigned the student and instructor will agree upon a new due date with the same late penalties as before. Suggested or required re-writes will earn new (usually better!) grades if the work improves. Details TBA.

Project: 25%

One major project will be assigned. The student must create a piece of art (painting, poem, collage, interpretive dance, etc.) that exemplifies, questions, or restates issues, themes, and topics that have been discussed in class.. All Art Projects must include a short essay that interprets and explains how the work of art fulfills the given criteria. Details TBA.

Course Calendar:The class will begin by viewing Stage Coach and select TV episodes of The Lone Ranger and The Rifleman. After that the teacher will use class discussion, overall maturity level, age and interest to determine the direction of further film selection.