Works
CM150: Introduction to Film
Semesters taught: Spring 2012
Catalogue Description: A broad analytical study of the technology, art, institution, history and social contexts of cinema. Emphasis on cultivation of perceptual, expressive and critical skills as related to film. Relationships between techniques, objectives, styles and historical significance of specific films will be discussed. Introduction to the classics of cinema.
Sample Course Materials:
- Syllabus
- Mise en Scene Essay Assignment
- Midterm Exam (Use password provided in cover letter)
- YouTube Channel
I had the chance to teach CM150 in the Spring of 2012 and immensely enjoyed the experience, even though in some ways it was the most difficult classroom environment since the first semester. Since this course was not required for the major, I have the sense that many students took this as a “fun elective” and were surprised that it was a rigorous course—this accounts for the low effort scores among many (and the corresponding low grades for those students). That, coupled with the lack of a defined time for screenings, caused some friction in the course.
At the same time, I enjoyed the opportunity this course gave me to try out new pedagogical tools—I set up a YouTube channel for students to study film terms and film language, I let them experiment with using Twitter in the classroom, and I was able to expose them to new forms of film comment and criticism online. One of the primary goals of the course was to place films within the context of their industrial production, distribution, and reception, to understand how all the stages of a film’s life cycle shape the way we perceive it. On the whole, I found my students responding to the challenge of the course, and developing sophisticated and nuanced readings of Hollywood film. I look forward to contributing more to the film studies curriculum, as well as the film culture here on campus.
Digest Evaluation Data:
| CM150 | SPRING 2012 | ARCADIA AVERAGE | NATIONAL AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplementary Instruction | 4.68 | N/A | N/A |
| Student Effort | 3.73 | 3.76 | 3.88 |
| Overall Evaluation | 4.55 | 4.12 | 4.08 |
| Organization / Planning | 4.71 | 4.38 | 4.31 |
| Faculty / Student Interaction | 4.49 | 4.49 | 4.37 |
| Course Outcomes | 3.93 | 3.83 | 3.81 |
| Communication | 4.8 | 4.48 | 4.37 |
| Assignments, Exams, Grading | 4.34 | 4.18 | 4.17 |
| Overall | 4.55 | 4.12 | 4.01 |
Qualitative Data from Course Evaluations: CM150
Raw Course Evals: Spring 2012
CM325: Selected Student Comments:
“I learned a lot about film (techniques, theories, etc.) and now watch films differently.”
— Student in CM150, Spring 2012“The strongest aspects of this course was the way the class schedule was formatted and taught, and the blackboard response system. Using Monday and Wednesday as learning days and Friday as an applied day worked well.”
— Student in CM150, Spring 2012“The screenings need to have a lab period assigned to them.”
— Student in CM150, Spring 2012“I think the examples were the strongest aspect [of the course]. Dwyer had an example, whether a clip or verbal, for every concept and that clarifies as well as helps me remember.”
— Student in CM150, Spring 2012
