FILM 4800 Travel Learn: French Cinema syllabus

Spring 2007
Professor Larry Ling-hsuan Tung
Dept. of Media & Film
CAS 421, Telephone: (908) 737-0457
E-mail: ltung@kean.edu

The class will present an overview of French Cinema, which will prepare students for sampling and appreciating French films. Students will read about the history of French cinema and sample notable French films. Class is expected to meet three times before travel and twice after, subject to need/desire for additional contact.

Meeting dates as follows:

Kean University
Thursday, January 25, 2007 first meeting, 12:30 CAS 408
Wednesday, January 31, 3:30pm, meet with entire travel group, CAS 456
Monday, February 26, 3:30pm, meet with entire group group, CAS 456
Three film diaries due

PARIS: March 8-15, 2007 Travel Learn Tour

Kean University
April 5, 2007 Progress Report on assignments, CAS 408
April 19, 2007 All work due, 3:30pm, CAS 408
All tour and post-trip assignments due
April 23, 2007 Student Showcase, room TBA

Assignments:

I. Pre-Trip Preparation:
• Finish the reading packet.
• Write a one-page essay on your anticipated trip to Paris. It should include what you know about Paris and French cinema. What are you expecting to do on the trip, visit museums, tourist attractions, history, cultural activities, shop, eat, etc.?
• Film: Choose three out of the 10 films to watch and write a 3-page paper on each film. Include a summary in your own words and reaction. You will need to subscribe to Netflix or Blockbuster.

Betty Blue (1986)
The Big Blue (1988)
Camille Claudel (1989)
Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
La Femme Nikita (1991)
Indochina (1992)
Delicatessen (1992)
Blue (1993)
Amelie (2001)
The Piano Teacher (2002)


II. On-Tour Assignment:
• Visit the Cinema Museum of Paris
• Go to a movie in a theater in Paris

III. Post Trip Assignment:
• Two more film diaries from the list above.
• Design a poster board on one of the selected films
• Create a scrapbook about your experience in Paris.

EVALUATION: Course grade is based on the successful participation in the Travel Learn experience. Students are required to participate in ALL included activities as part of the normal itinerary. In addition, students are expected to be on time and their general behavior is expected to reflect favorably on the program, the university and the United States abroad. This Travel Learn trip is an educational experience, not a vacation.