Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

History of Experimental Film and Video Art (Face-to-Face)

ARTH 2910-01

Course: ARTH 2910-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 32444

Course Description

This course explores the history, politics, and aesthetics of American and European avant-garde film practices. We will examine the development, major trends, and techniques of experimental and non-narrative filmmaking in relation to key art movements and theoretical debates of the 20th century. Topics include formalism, surrealism, political modernism, the culture industry, pop art, and feminism.

Warning: Be advised that this course includes careful analysis of concepts connected to art and film history, some of which may be controversial or offensive to some. Some course materials (including written, photographic, audio, and video content) may contain nudity and/or coarse language. We will discuss sensitive and difficult topics such as (but not limited to) domestic and interpersonal violence, racism, sexism, harassment, and sexuality. As with any serious scholarly endeavor, the point of our inquiry is critical understanding—not advocacy of positions. No one will be expected to reveal or discuss their own personal opinions or experiences or to change their personal beliefs or opinions. I do expect, however, that you will engage with the materials in a thoughtful manner, offering insights, questions, and critiques on these materials. If you do not feel that you are up to this task or do not want to engage with such materials, please reconsider your decision to take this course.

Required Texts

  • Students will need access to Canvas and film viewing platforms including the internet.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome | Activity/Assignment | Assessment Method
EXPRESSION OF CONCEPTS: Foundational knowledge of concepts developed by experimental filmmakers, video artists, and theorists | Viewing and discussion of films | Graded using rubrics
ORGANIZATION: Expresses thought in a coherent and organized method | Discussion Board Posts | Graded using rubrics
CRITICAL THINKING: Gleans and extracts new ideas based on the information presented | Class Discussion | Graded using rubrics

Course Requirements

Grading Criteria
THE FOLLOWING GRADING STANDARDS WILL BE USED IN THIS CLASS:
Grade Distribution
Component | Percent of Grade
LECTURE PARTICIPATION  15 %
IN-CLASS PRESENTATION  15 %
FILM/READING QUIZZES  20 %
MIDTERM  25 %
FINAL EXAM  25 %
Grade Range
A  100% TO 93%
A- < 93% TO 90%
B+ < 90% TO 87%
B  < 87% TO 83%
B- < 83% TO 80%
C+ < 80% TO 77%
C  < 77% TO 73%
C- < 73% TO 70%
D+ < 70% TO 67%
D  < 67% TO 63%
D- < 63% TO 60%
F  < 60% TO 0%
Assessment
STUDENTS WILL BE ASSESSED BASED ON THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPTS COVERED IN CLASS & HOW THAT UNDERSTANDING IS REFLECTED IN THEIR HOMEWORK. 

Course Outline

Unit 1
  • Week 1: Introduction: First Films, First Experiments
  • Week 2: Dada
  • Week 3: Soviet Constructivism
  • Week 4: Surrealism
  • Week 5: Psychodrama and Trance Film
  • Week 6: Visual Music and Absolute Animation
  • Week 7: Midterm
  • Week 8: Break
Unit 2
  • Week 9: Abstract Expressionism
  • Week 10: Camp, Pop Art, and Underground
  • Week 11: Minimalism and Structural Film
  • Week 12: Political Modernism
  • Week 13: Feminism
  • Week 14: Essay and Diary Film
  • Week 15: Postmodernism: After the Avant-Garde?
  • Week 16: Finals

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  • Unexcused late work will not be accepted.
  • An incomplete will not be given in this class except for extreme, verifiable emergencies as approved by the instructor.

Policy for Missed Tests: Students must contact the instructor prior to the due date for missed test. If a student can provide documentation of an excused absence the exam can be taken late with points deducted for each day until taken.

Policy for Assignments: Students may not make up missed in class quizzes unless for an excused absence with advanced notice.

Policy on Responding to Students:

  • Email responses typically within 24 to 48 hours Monday - Friday.
  • Graded assignments are typically returned within 2 weeks after the due date.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in lectures is required. More than two unexcused absences in the class will result in one full letter grade decrease.
You are allowed to miss TWO LECTURES with no penalties. If you are going to have an unexcused absence, do not notify the instructor. 
Do not email about your sick absence, bring a doctor's note
If you are missing a large amount of time (several weeks or more), please notify the instructor and explain the situation.

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $27 Fee

Prerequisites

Registration Restriction(s): Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing required

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.