Unit Handbook

2016/2017

Unit Title: Film Critique

Unit Code: MCOM 205

This document is a handbook that is intended to provide students with an outline of

how the unit works as well as some informative guidelines to keep you on track.
Please spend sometime reading this document, get back to the unit Lecturer for any
further explanation about the nature of the unit, advising, scheduling and deadlines.

This document is subject for slight amendments and additions if found beneficiary to the
overall learning process.
Lecturer: Dr. Hala El Zahed Unit Code: MCOM 205
Teaching Assistant: Title: Film Critique
Lecturers e-mail: Holholdad@hotmail.com Level: (3)
Lecturers office hours: Credit Hours: 3
Sundays from 9:30-12:30 pm
Mondays from 8:009:30 am & from 12:302:00 pm
Wednesdays from 8:009:30 am & from 11:0012:30 pm

Aims:
This unit is designed to educate students the art of watching films and all that it entails. The unit will focus
on film analysis and will explain to students the standard fictional and dramatic elements for creating a
good story. The objective of this unit is to teach students how to possess a critical eye for a good story from
all aspects: plot, structure, characters, conflict, catalysts, and most importantly the message it conveys.
Throughout the semester students will be expected to analyze and express what they learn in their writing
assignments.

The primary aim is to provide students with a descriptive vocabulary and

analytical tools which can facilitate future work in film criticism or film/historical
research.
The secondary aim is to develop students awareness of critical, historical and
theoretical issues addressed in the field of film studies.
Learn the difference between film review (allowing for informal address) and film
critique as an academic analysis targeting film critics.

Syllabus:

The elements of a good story:

Unification of plot or storyline.

Credibility of story
Capturing audience interest through suspense & action
Simplicity and complexity in a good story
Usage of restraint in the handling of emotional material

Dramatic Structure:
Expository or chronological beginning
In medias res beginning (method of beginning a story)

Symbolism Universal & Natural

Creating symbolic meanings:

Repetition
Value placed on an object
Context in which an object appears
Special visual, aural, or musical emphasis

Characterization

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 By appearance
Through dialogue
Through external or internal action
By reactions of other characters
By contrast: dramatic foils
By exaggeration or repetition
Through choice of name

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of the art of film analysis.
Theories of Film Analysis, different approaches & ideologies
Mobilize the filmmakers experience.
Develop a critical eye for the art and the message it conveys.
Skills
Analyze story plots, themes, characters and conflicts.
Identify strong and weak elements in film scripts.
Recognize relationship between movie and society.
Apply what students have learned to todays world paying special attention to the Egyptian
environment and the international arena as a whole.
Communicate clearly in written English, demonstrating comprehensive analysis and
critical integration of a variety of film scripts.

Learning, Teaching, and Assessment Strategy:

Assignments: Students will view six movies during the semester (3 English & 3 Arabic movies). After
watching the movie, students will be required to write about 3 movies from the ones shown in class in terms
of how they perceived the plot, theme, characters, etc. to find out how well they absorb the material and
message being presented. A session will be dedicated after watching a number of movies to critically
analyse plot, theme, characters and techniques in the movie making.

Project (Film Review): After the midterm exam, students are required to write about any Arabic movie of
their choice from all aspects covered by the instructor. Write about 2000 to 3000 words analysing the film
making use of all material discussed in classes.

Setup, genre, main idea, catalysts, characters, conflicts, master scenes.

What makes the film worth watching? Is it interesting enough?
How does the conflict relate to the story?
Did the filmmaker make use of symbolism? How?
What is your own impression about the movie? Discuss points of strengths and those of
weaknesses.

Exam: Students will sit for a final exam of 3 hours covering the materials taken.

Assessment Pattern:

Contribution to content 5%
Critical Review Projects 15%
Final Project 20%
Midterm Exam 20%

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 Final exam 40%

Specific Guidelines and Requirements:

The Universitys attendance policy will be strictly followed. The professor will not
allow excuses and any absences from lectures or tutorials will be deducted from
the total number of allowed by the university (9) regardless of a justified or
unjustified excuses.
Arriving to class on time is mandatory as tardiness is disruptive and in some
cases students will not be allowed in after the first 15mins of class.
If you miss a lecture it is your responsibility to seek assistance for missed
material from course assistant during tutorials. However, the assistant will not
use tutorials as a one-on-one session for students who fail to attend lectures. It
is the students responsibility to catch up on reading and analysis on his own
and seek minimal assistance for certain unclear areas.
Students must come to each lecture prepared with their textbooks having read
assigned material and ready to take comprehensive notes that will help them
better understand theories and concepts.
Students are prohibited from any disruptive behavior during class such as using
mobiles or side talks. After an oral warning by the professor, the student may be
asked to leave the lecture if behavior is not modified.
Late assignments will not be accepted. Even if you are unable to physically
attend class and submit your assignment, you can submit it electronically by the
assigned deadline.
You will received a separate detailed sheet for your final project assignment,
however, the paper should follow the following outline:
Cases of Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a particular act of cheating. Plagiarism means copying more than three
consecutive words from another sources work without attributing such deed and
making it look as if it is ones own work. This is considered offensive and unethical.
Students who do not cite their work and practice plagiarism and break rules of ethics
will be penalized and may be subject to expulsion from the university. Students should
present and keep a careful record of all the sources they use, including all internet
materials.

As academic honesty is non-negotiable as a concept, plagiarism will result in

immediate F grade for the plagiarized project/assignment.

Assessment Criteria:

Assignments/film critiques (15%)

After studying film theories and their usefulness in addition to the art of reviewing
movies analytically, students are required to write critical reviews for three movies
they have watched throughout the semester. They are graded according to how each
student manages to integrate his/her connection between their experience and their
learning based on the following criteria:

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Part One: Offer your overall impression of the film while mentioning the movie's title,
genre, approach, director and plot. (2%)

Part Two: Analyze characters and their development (if any), their quality of acting,
costumes, conflict (internal and external), symbolism (person, place and/or object)
and music.
(3%)
Part Three: Discuss in details the positive and the negative aspects in line youre
your personal opinion with respect to items mentioned in paragraph one and two.
(3%)
Part Four: Ending paragraph--your last opportunity to guide the reader. Summarize
and strongly restate your opinions and critical evaluation of the film pin-pointing its
relation to society and the message or learned lessons. You may pick certain master
scenes and elaborate on their significance. You may also suggest, if needed, what
would have made the film better.
(2%)

Contribution to content (5%)

Final project (20%)

Students are to select a certain movie and submit their critical analysis and reflection
on it in terms of the above criteria.

Midterm Exam (20%)

Final Exam (40%)

Evidence of Critical Reflections:

First few lectures will allow students to develop an enhanced understanding of the
art of film analysis, question knowledge and learn about theories of film analysis.
Power-point and handouts will be displayed to clearly illustrate what students
should look for when analyzing a movie. While beginning with the end in mind, and
stating learning outcomes in concrete, measurable terms, students will be clear
about what they should expect to gain. (A clear-cut distinction will be made between a
film review and film critique with regards the target audience and depth of analysis).

After viewing a test movie, the instructor will pin-point what students should consider,
they will be able to ascertain meaning and reflect on implications of what they are
experiencing while watching films.

Understanding film theories will give students depth in mobilizing and reflecting on
the filmmakers experience. They will also be able to develop a critical eye for the
art, its meaning and the message it conveys. They will learn how to write in clear,
concise and organized language their reflections in content and form.

They will be able to critically analyze story plots, themes, characters, conflicts,
relationship between movie & societyetc. Identify strong and weak elements in film

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scripts. Reflect on today's world paying special attention to the Egyptian environment
& the international arena as a whole.

Students will be able to reflect on questions like: What did I learn? How did I
learn it? So what does it mean for me? And finally, What am I going to do about or
what have I learned or experienced? And, what is a better way than showing them a
movie to critically engage students in a reflection process.

Moreover, students will be able to pinpoint the elements that make for a good film in
terms of setting, genre, photography, sound and positioning. They will also be able to
consider when, where and how reflection will occur.
Students are required to write their own assessed critical reflections after reading the below-
mentioned extra readings and write their own analysis as part of their assignments.

Textbook:
Giannetti, Louis. (2008) Understanding Movies (11th ed.) New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Corrigan, Timothy. (2012). The Film Experience: An Introduction. (3rd ed.) Bedford/St. Martin.

List of Extra Readings:

Philips, William H. (2009). Film: An Introduction. (4th ed.) Bedford/St. Martin.

Corrigan, Timothy. (2010). A Short Guide to Writing About Film. (7th ed.) New York: Longman.

Film Critique Guidelines. Depicted from http://ohsfilmanalysis.blogspot.com

Writing a Film Analysis by Lisa Cornwell.

Hand-outs provided by instructor.

Useful Media Tools:

www.google.com
www.rottentomatoes.com

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Weekly Plan:
Week 1:
Lecture students on history of the development of and advances in film. Exploring the art of cinema; how
movies reflect societies and represent a mirror to societal ills and cultural inclinations.

Week 2:
Examine different theories and approaches of film criticism. Watching a movie as an experiment to apply
and evaluate in terms of the discussed criteria while paying special attention to editing and symbolism.

Extra Readings: Distribute hand-outs on various theories on film criticism.

Week 3:
Watch a movie that represents a current event or occurrence while putting the movie in context with some
historical, political or social setting. Explore the films genre, approaches and ideology.
Assignment: Write a critical analysis on this film in terms of its theory and its relation to society.

Extra Readings: Circulate material titled; Writing a Film Analysis by Lisa Cornwell.
Hand out sheets on characterizations, symbolism & plots (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action,
and resolution)

Week 4:
Submit assignment and conduct class discussion on the first film; paying special attention to certain points
that were stressed by its director and how successful or unsuccessful he/she was in presenting his
viewpoint. Elaborate on movies characters and quality of acting.
Assignment: Read hand-outs to deepen students analysis.

Week 5:
Watch another movie and conduct class discussion on the film paying special attention to movies conflict,
master scenes and symbolism.
Assignment: Write a critical analysis on this film according to its place in history and relationship to society
exploring elements of film criticism.

Week 6:
Conduct class discussion on the film that deals with a specific issue of relevance to the society while
concentrating on messages or learned lessons. Suggest what would have made the film better, if needed.

Week 7:
Mid-term exams.
Week 8:
Mid-term exams.

Week 9:
Hand out criteria on further narrative structure to deepen students analysis and elaborate on questions to
ask as the role of director and whether the movie left off unanswered questions while watching another
movie.
Assignment: Read the following and provide your critical reflection.

Extra Readings: Distribute hand outs to aid students for further critical analysis.

Week 10:
Watch a movie and take notes of its theme, plot, characters and costumes as well as its genre.

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Assignment: Write another movie critique.

Week 11:
Submit assignment and conduct further class discussion. Watch another movie.
Assignment: Critically analyse the said movie.

Week 12:
Conduct class discussion.
Assignment: As their final project, students are required to select a movie and critically analyse it while
presenting their personal reflections.

Week 13:
Revision session.
Final Project Submission.

Week 14:
Revision Session.
Final Project Submission.

Week 15:
Final Exams begin.

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