Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Film (Online)

THEA 1023-300

Course: THEA 1023-300
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 33090

Course Description

A look at the Art of Film–how it influences lives and how lives influence the art. Students will view films from many different genres, offer analysis, and gain an appreciation for the many collaborative crafts involved in the filmmaking process. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Fine Arts

Required Texts

Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film (8th edition)
A digital-only copy of the text is included with class. This is cheaper than a hard copy.

Everyone is required to use the digital content for the textbook. This will be included with the online version of the text. This book is available via Inclusive Access. There will be an ebook link to view the textbook in the Modules area on canvas.

You will also be required to watch several films. The films will sometimes be accessible here in Canvas. For others you will need access to them via streaming services or by renting the movie digitally.


Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Identify how film as an art form entertains, educates, and reflects society. (ELO Critical Thinking)
  2. Identify, describe, and compare the structural features of film using accurate critical language that is medium-specific. (ELO Creative Thinking/Communication)
  3. Offer examples of film as historically significant works of art. (ELO Communication)
  4. Analyze cinematic texts through a practiced ability to discriminate thematic elements of film and articulately deconstruct ideas as presented in film. (ELO Critical/Creative Thinking)
  5. Articulate how film can help people recognize and value different human perspectives and experiences. (ELO Communication)

Course Requirements

At this time there will be instructor lecture, discussion and film clips shown in class. There will be regular assignments and quizzes due throughout the semester. These will allow reflection on concepts and films studied. The assignments and quizzes can be found in the modules area.  Due dates will be posted in the modules area as well.


Course Outline

Assignment Outline

InQuizitives 10 pts each

You will have interactive inquizatives (inquizatives are connected to textbook reading) in this class. Each one will require a minimum of 20 questions, but there could be more as you will be able to adjust the assigned value of each question based on your confidence in your ability to answer that question. The inquizitive will continue to adjust and give you questions until you have reached full credit and demonstrated mastery of the topic.

Viewing Quizzes/ Quizzes 3-20 pts each

Viewing Quizzes: You will have Viewing Quizzes that will be short quizzes mixing multiple choice and true/false, usually with mini clips from the films. 

Other quizzes: You will have quizzes that are not viewing quizzes or inquizatives. One quiz will be a short one on the syllabus. The other quizzes are 20-point quizzes on required readings and videos.

Assignments 10 pts each

You will have assignments each week that connect the material covered in a module to the film used in that module. These assignments will take various forms including writing, critical analysis, creativity, and one game. When researching on the internet you should never copy and paste material from the internet.

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

All assignments and readings will have due dates. The work should be completed and turned in before the due date. That being said, life happens, so I will continue to accept assignments for 1 week after the due date for partial credit. After the 1 week the grade becomes a 0.

Attendance Policy

It is your responsibility to read all instructions and look at all modules and assignments in a timely manner. If you wait until the day something is due to look at the assignment you will not have time to complete it. 

Course Disclaimer

Representative films have been carefully chosen based on their quality and/or relevance to a discussion topic and availability through the above mentioned means. Every film in this class was picked for a specific reason and each helps further class content. Some films or in-class clips may contain mature content or deal with a subject that has personal significance to you (ex. bullying, prejudice, war, suicide, illness, etc.). Each film is a product of its time and social context and may present ideas that reflect bias of those circumstances. The films are not intended to shock, offend, or challenge any belief system; they are simply excellent films for studying the art form. You will be required to view ALL assigned films and be ready to discuss them. I will do my best to give a broad overview of each film prior to viewing but because sensitivities vary from person to person I cannot guarantee a proactive advisory for everything that might be deemed sensitive.

Grade Scheme

Everything assigned in class will have a point value. At the end of the semester all accumulated points will be weighed against the total number of possible points. The resulting percentage will determine your grade. The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range:
A | 100 % to 94.0%
A- | < 94.0 % to 90.0%
B+ | < 90.0 % to 87.0%
B | < 87.0 % to 84.0%
B- | < 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+ | < 80.0 % to 77.0%
C | < 77.0 % to 74.0%
C- | < 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+ | < 70.0 % to 67.0%
D | < 67.0 % to 64.0%
D- | < 64.0 % to 61.0%
F | < 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Calendar

Class begins: Wednesday, August 27

Getting Started: Assignments due by Friday, August 29

Module 1: Formal Analysis & Cinematic Language - Due by August 31

Module 2: Film Form and Content - Due by September 7

Module 3: Mise-en-Scène - Design & Composition – Due by September 14

Module 4: Cinematography - Due by September 21

Module 5: Sound - Due by September 28

Module 6: Pulling it all together: Design, Cinematography, and Sound – Due by October 5

Module 7: Acting – Due by October 12

Module #8: Editing – Due by October 19

Module 9: Sound Part 2 – Due by October 26

Module 10: Film History – Due by November 2

Module 11: How the Movie Are Made – Due by November 9

Module 12: Types of Movies – Due by November 16

Module 13: Elements of Narrative – Due by November 23

Thanksgiving Week – no assignments due

 Module 14: Watch final film - Due by December 7

 Final Project: Due by Tuesday, December 9

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.