Hello, dear friend, you can consult us at any time if you have any questions, add WeChat: THEend8_
Course Description
This class explores representations of immigration in global film with particular attention to different modes of knowing engendered by the immigrant experience. Topics for discussion include global flows, border crossing, place and displacement, migration, mobility, and diaspora. Please be aware that some of these topics and the films we watch are controversial and may contain intellectually and emotionally challenging material.
Note on Course Syllabus and Policies (Please Read Closely)
Please read the syllabus closely. Pay particular attention to course policies on grading and communication with the professor, TAs, or graders, as well as the schedule and due dates. You are responsible for meeting the course requirements and will be held to all course policies.
There are no exceptions to these policies and I kindly implore that you do not contact me or your TAs or graders to request exceptions. Please contact me immediately if you are unsure about these policies after reading the syllabus.
Learning Outcomes
Outcome |
Instruction |
Assessment |
Students will be able to identify and recall a variety of cinema traditions from around the world. |
viewings, readings, lectures, and discussions |
discussion forum, midterm paper, and reading/viewing test |
Students will be able to comprehend, explain, and interpret the historical and socio-political context of a variety of cinema from around the world. |
readings, lectures, and discussions |
film terms test and reading/viewing test |
Students will be able to deconstruct, analyze, and compare films as well as critically respond to and write about film. |
viewings, readings, in-class film analysis |
reading/viewing test and discussion forum |
Students will be able to skillfully incorporate knowledge of film and world events to formulate and articulate ideas about immigration. |
viewings, readings, lectures, discussions, and film analysis |
midterm paper and film analysis project |
Students will use technology and demonstrate the highest levels of creativity to compose exceptional theoretical discourse regarding the topic of immigration and film. |
lectures, viewings, and workshops |
film analysis project |
Required Text(s) & Materials
All the readings are available on the UBlearns course page as attachments or links. You will find them in Course Documents and Links>Readings You are required to complete all of the readings in each unit.
Course Requirements
Agenda: For each unit, you are responsible for viewing the film/s and doing the readings listed, as well as reviewing the notes and lectures listed on the course schedule and available in Course Documents and Links on the course homepage. Finally, you will participate in class and your grade will be determined by several discussion forums, two tests, a midterm paper, and a film analysis project, all of which will be submitted to UBlearns. Follow the assignment schedule below. I will not accept any late work.
Late Policy: ***Please read and fully understand the following: you must complete your work before the assignment closes or you will not receive credit for it. Family and medical emergencies are the only exceptions to this rule. This being the case and with the full understanding we all have that technology fails at times, I suggest you plan to submit your assignments early in case of any issues. You are bound to run up against technical issues if you attempt to submit a minute before an assignment is due. If you do have a problem with UBlearns, you are responsible for contacting UBIT to solve that problem. Please do not contact me after the deadline to ask for an extension. Only work submitted on time will be graded.
Viewings: You are responsible for viewing all of the films for each module. Some of the sources are free and widely available online or through the UB libraries webpage, but please be aware that you are responsible for finding and renting a few films not available through UBlearns. Film links will be posted in weekly modules.
Course Assignments and Grading:
• 15% Discussion Forum: for each unit, you will post to a discussion forum, as well as respond to other student’s posts.
• 20% Film Terms Test: you will take a test on film terms and other vocabulary relevant to the class at the end of the first unit.
• 20% Midterm Paper: you will write a 1500-word midterm paper with proper citations and formatting.
• 20% Film Analysis Project : you will complete a guided film analysis using proper film terms on a course film at the end of the second unit.
• 25% Reading/Viewing Test: you will take a test on course readings and viewings at the end of the third unit.
Assignment Due Dates:
Discussion Forum 1: Friday, September 13 at 11:59 pm
Film Terms Test: Friday, September 27 at 11:59 pm
Discussion Forum 2: Friday, October 11 at 11:59 pm
Midterm Paper: Friday, October 18 at 11:59 pm
Film Analysis Project: Friday, November 1 at 11:59 pm
Discussion Forum 3: Friday, November 15 at 11:59 pm Reading/Viewing Test: Friday, December 6 at 11:59 pm
Grading Chart
Letter Grade |
Points |
Letter Grade |
Points |
Letter Grade |
Points |
A |
94-100 points |
B- |
80-82 points |
D+ |
65-69 points |
A-
|
90-93 points
|
C+
|
77-79 points
|
D
|
60-64 points
|
B+
|
87-89 points
|
C
|
73-76 points
|
F
|
< 60 points
|
B
|
83-86 points
|
C-
|
70-72 points
|
|
|
Note on Assignment Submissions, Grading, and Course Communication
As I already mentioned, I do not accept late assignments, nor do I accept submissions via email. All assignments must be submitted on time to UBlearns. Please do not attempt to submit late assignments by emailing them if you miss the UBlearns deadline. I will not grade these assignments. In particular, do not attempt to submit multiple assignments at the end of the semester.
While excuses such as “I forgot about the deadline,” etc. are not acceptable, I understand that there are legitimate emergencies. In these rare instances, such as a medical or family emergency, please contact the professor. Do not contact the professor to discuss missed work unless you have a legitimate emergency.
Additionally, all your submissions must follow UB’s academic integrity policy. In short, do not plagiarize or use AI to generate content. Do your own work, write your own responses. Any submissions that violate this policy will receive a zero without the possibility of revision. Also, grades are final. Please do not solicit the professor, TAs, or graders to regrade your assignment, to “boost” your grade, or help your gpa. All solicitations of this kind, particularly at the end of the semester, are inappropriate.
More generally, it is inappropriate to repeatedly email or send multiple emails to the professor and/or TAs and graders to request changes to your grade. If you need to discuss your work with the professor or a TA, it is best to do so in person after class or in office hours. Most discussions regarding your work in class are too complex for email. If you do send an email regarding something that requires a brief response, please provide the context, which includes information such as your name, the class, and the assignment.
Finally, if you are experiencing difficult circumstances or have failed to submit assignments, I encourage you to be self-evaluative and consider if you can meet the requirements of the course during the current semester. If not, consider taking the course when it is offered at a time when you are better able to fulfill the requirements.