SAULT STE.
COURSE OUTLINE
‘WESTERNS: A STUDY IN THE FILM GENRE’
SA-OEL845
WINTER 2009
Program:
Distance
Education – General Interest
Author:
Mr. Chad
Email: chad.beharriell@saultcollege.ca
Date:
Approved:
Dean Date
Total Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Total Hours/Weeks: 48/14
Copyright
©2008 Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology
Reproduction of this document by any means, in whole
or in part, without prior
written permission of
For additional information, please contact: School
of Continuing Education, Business & Hospitality
(705) 759-2554, Ext.2612
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class will
explore the film genre of Westerns. Major themes, theories and ideas will be
examined via the work of selected actors, directors and films. Subjects to be
studied via discussion and assignments include The History of the Western /
Components of the Western / Landscape and Setting / Actors / Directors / Films
/ Indigenous Peoples. The course will conclude with an analysis of the place of
the Western in a contemporary context - can it still ‘sit tall in the saddle’?
II.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ELEMENTS OF THE PERFORMANCE:
Upon successful completion of this course, you will
demonstrate the ability to:
1. Situate a Western film within a specific
context.
Potential
Elements of the Performance:
·
Provision
of arguments for a film to be classified as a ‘Western’.
·
Relation
of a film to a defined historical and social context.
·
Recognition
of a director’s ‘body of work’.
2. Discuss the values – explicit or implied – of a
given Western film.
Potential
Elements of the Performance:
·
Evaluation of gender and race relations within a film.
·
Identification
of the role of the natural environment in a film.
·
Analysis
of political and economic arguments presented by a film.
3.
Discuss the cultural impact of the Western.
Potential
Elements of the Performance:
·
Evaluation of popular reception to key films.
·
Analysis
of cultural resonance of specific Western actors.
·
Examination
of the role of critical response to the Western.
III. TOPICS
Week
1 (January 9th to January 16th)
A
History of the Western
Required
Week
2 (January 16th to 23rd)
A
History of the Western – Part Two
Required
Week
3 (January 23rd to 30th)
Landscape
and Setting
Required
Week
4 (January 30th to February 6th)
Indigenous
Peoples
Required
Week
5 (February 6th to 13th)
Selected
Actors – Gary Cooper
Required
Week
6 (February 13th to 20th)
Selected
Actors – Ben Johnson
Required
Week
7 (February 20th to 27th)
Selected
Directors – Budd Boetticher
Required
Week
8 (February 27th to March 6th)
Selected
Directors – Clint Eastwood
Required
Week
9 (March 6th to 13th)
Selected
Films – The Wild Bunch
Required
Week
10 (March 13th to 20th)
Selected
Films – Lonely Are the Brave
Required
Week
11 (March 20th to 27th)
Selected
Films – Hud
Required
Week
12 (March 27th to April 3rd)
Review
Week
Weeks
13 & 14 (April
Final
exam period
IV. Required Text:
·
Simpson, Paul. The
Rough Guide to Westerns. First Edition.
V. EVALUATION PROCESS / GRADING SYSTEM
Participation
– 10 %:
Participation questions –
Beginning at the end of Week 1, students will complete 10 online participation questions worth 1% each. Questions related to a given week’s subject will be posted
on the discussion forum at the end of each respective week. Students are
required to post a 1 to 2 paragraph response to the initial question and are
then encouraged to respond to ideas presented within that specific topic
‘thread’. Students will have one week to post a response to each question.
Film Review
#1– 30% - Due
date: February 20th - Week 6:
Students will review a selected Western film and provide
a 3 page (approximately 750 words) review that incorporates ideas studied
within the course. The review will provide a plot synopsis and analyze specific
themes & issues contained within that film. A selection of relevant films
and assignment guidelines will be provided.
Film Review
#2– 30% - Due
date: April 3rd - Week 12:
Students will review a selected Western film and
provide a 3 page (approximately 750 words) review that incorporates ideas
studied within the course. The review will provide a plot synopsis and analyze
specific themes & issues contained within that film. A selection of
relevant films and assignment guidelines will be provided.
Final
Exam – 30% -
Date: April 3rd to April 17th
The final hard-copy exam will
provide a selection of questions for students to discuss ideas, themes and
issues contained with the course. A review template will be provided.
Plagiarism and Submission of
Assignments
Plagiarism is a serious
academic offence which students must be aware of in preparing essays and other
assignments. We will review the
definition of plagiarism as well as the penalties for “appropriating the
literary composition of another, or parts of passages of his or her writing, or
the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the products of
one's own mind." (Black's Law Dictionary) Examples of proper citation
procedures will be provided.
Late assignments will be penalized 1
assignment mark per working day (i.e. weekends and statutory holidays are not
counted). Assignments will not be accepted after the official end of the Winter
term exam period (April 17th).
VI. SPECIAL NOTES:
1.
If you are a student with a disability please identify your needs
to the tutor and/or the Centre for Students with Disabilities at your
registering college.
2.
Students, it is your responsibility to retain course outlines for
possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other
educational institutions.
3.
Course outline amendments: The Professor reserves the right to
change the information contained in this course outline depending on the needs
of the learner and the availability of resources.