GERM 3395 Section 05584 / Spring 2005
GERM 3395 Section 05584/ Spring 2005
Dr. Sandy Frieden
ONLINE-- University of Houston
Phone: 713-743-3051, Fax: 713-952-3545
http://www.uh.edu/academics/de/frieden
Campus Office: 617 AH, by appt.
TA: Craig Cieslikowski ( Craig.Cieslikowski@mail.uh.edu )
sfrieden@uh.edu
Syllabus: HISTORY OF GERMAN CINEMA
PROCEDURE: We will discuss a new film each week (except first and last weeks). There will be no face-to-face sessions-
everything except the films themselves are on WebCT/Vista.
· By each MONDAY morning, you should have found & seen the NEW FILM and read the DATABASE PAGE
about that film. I will post COMMENTS and DISCUSSION BOARD QUESTIONS on the film and
on the ARTICLES to be read. You may read the articles before or after Monday, as you wish.
· Each TUESDAY (by midnite), you should turn in your FILM EVALUATION on that week's film.
· By FRIDAY (midnite) at the latest, you should have posted all your DISCUSSION BOARD responses
(some weeks you may be asked to respond sooner).
READINGS: No textbook. Readings will be available electronically.
TECH REQUIREMENTS: The following are required to be able to view the materials associated with this course:
Internet access. A broadband connection is not required, but is highly recommended.
Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is used to view required course readings. You can download the free reader at Adobe's website: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
Microsoft Word, v. 2000 or higher. We will be making use of Word's "Comment" feature to evaluate and make remarks on your papers. The latest versions of Word for Windows and Mac are available to students for under $25 at Cougarbyte, the campus computer store: 713-743-5310.
· QuickTime Player, version 6.5 or higher. Used to view videos created for the course. You can download
the free player from Apple's website: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/standalone/.
GRADING: Midterm (Week of March 7) true-false over all films so far, readings, comments, groups, discussions. [38 pts]
Group Assignment: To be announced, Feb. 14-25 [10 pts]
Film review (500 words) is due March 28-will be marked for grammar, style, content, and returned. [10 pts]
Discussion Board postings are required weekly (3 per week, 14 weeks), must be substantive; 1 pt. each. (42 pts)
TOTAL POINTS = 100
Film evaluations are counted, but not graded; final class points are lowered for missing evaluations, raised for
extras (see "Extra Credit"). (if late, counts 1/2) No late evaluations accepted after APRIL 12.
Extra Credit Options : (1) film evaluation on any German film seen outside of class counts 1 point added
to final class grade (LAST DAY TO HAND IN=APRIL 12). No limit, but
NO EXTRA CREDIT ALLOWED UNLESS ALL 12 REQUIRED FILM EVAL'S ARE DONE!
(2) You may also do a 2 pt. Extra-credit Sequence Analysis on any one film-clip from each required film.
SCHEDULE: SEE "WHERE TO FIND GERMAN FILMS" TO FIND & SEE THESE FILMS ON YOUR
OWN!! This is YOUR responsibility.
Tues., Jan. 18 Introduction to German Film. Basic Film Terms. LOG IN TO WEBCT JAN. 18 TO START CLASS!
Mon., Jan. 24: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Robert Wiene, 1920)
Mon., Jan. 31: Metropolis (Fritz Lang, 1927)
Mon., Feb. 7: M (Fritz Lang, 1931)
Mon., Feb. 14: Triumph of the Will (Leni Riefenstahl, 1934)
Mon., Feb. 21: The Murderers Are Among Us (Wolfgang Staudte, 1946) Group Project due Fri. Feb. 25
Mon., Feb. 28: Jakob the Liar (Frank Beyer, 1975)
Mon., Mar. 7: Aguirre the Wrath of God (Werner Herzog, 1972) Mid-term exam (Tues-Wed.)
Mon., Mar. 14: SPRING BREAK
Mon., Mar. 21: The Tin Drum (Volker Schlöndorff, 1979)
Mon., Mar. 28: The Marriage of Maria Braun (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1979) Film review due (Mon.)
Mon., Apr. 4: Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders, 1987)
Mon., Apr. 11: Run Lola Run (Tom Tykwer, 1998) Tues. Apr. 12=Last day for all late/extra evaluations.
Mon., Apr. 18: Nowhere in Afrika (Caroline Link, 2001)
Mon., Apr. 25: Wrap-up discussion.