Film101 ONLINE - SYLLABUS
 Course Description for CyberCinema with Professor Gloria Floren: Spring 2010
Update:  09 January 2010
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Welcome to Film 101!  I look forward to teaching and learning with you this semester. 
In this syllabus, you will find information about and links to the following topics:

―On This Page―
Activities, Assignments, Tests | Catalog Description | Collaboration or Cheating? |
Course Objectives | Grading | Honors | Moodle | Policies | Semester Film List | Workplace Skills: SCANS |
Student Learning Outcomes | Technical Requirements and Support Services | Textbooks
 | Tips for Success | Tutoring and Writing Help |

―Links to Related Pages―
About the Class Discussion | About your CyberProf: Gloria Floren
Assignments Schedule: semester-at-a-glance | Moodle |
Welcome: Getting Started (technology and time requirements)

FILM 101 CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Film.  "An introduction to film as an art form and as a cultural artifact, this course examines content and techniques found in film, historical and stylistic influences on film makers, their artistic values, and the social implications of film. Feature films as well as shorts and animated films are viewed during the course as a basis for critical analysis." Three Units Transferable CSU, UC.  General Education Credit: Humanities. 

CyberCinema Section: Online Film 101 is designed for highly motivated, skilled, independent learners who have adequate Internet access and technical skills and can observe the rules of netiquette expected of mature adults.  CyberCinema students must have reliable Internet access, a Web browser (use Firefox), e-mail capability, audio and video plug-ins, an ability to get the movies required by the course (typically by renting, buying, downloading, or borrowing DVDs from merchants or libraries), and a device for screening these films. For all major communications and learning activities this semester, use your Firefox Web browser to access our virtual classroom, a Web-based learning environment called Moodle.

Honors.  Contact the Honors Office if you would like to take film as an honors class, as part of the Honors Scholar Program at MiraCosta College.

RestingPlace.JPG (19982 bytes)FILM 101 OBJECTIVES.  At the end of the course, you will demonstrate the ability to

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (a partial list of outcomes that all Film 101 classes will assess this semester,  with the general-education outcomes in parentheses below):

SCANS (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills from the U.S. Department of Labor) - Learning Outcomes

TEXTBOOKS and READINGS/SCREENINGS: 

Required Texts and Films: ORDER YOUR BOOKS as soon as you have enrolled or asked to be on the wait list; you have an assignment in these texts at the beginning of the semester.  If you don't have your text by the first day of classes, plan to ask a classmate to share texts until yours comes in.

(1) Louis Giannetti, Understanding Movies, Eleventh Edition: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.  You can purchase it through the MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus Bookstore (check also to see if it's available at the San Elijo Campus Bookstore).  Alternatively, you can use online services like Amazon or Barnes & Noble (just enter the title in the site search window).  They both say the book  "usually ships" within 24 hours, but sometimes it takes over a month before you actually receive your book!  Other used-book sites include Half.com, CheapestTextbooks.com and Booksprice.com; textbook rentals online include Chegg.com and BookRenter.com.  Be sure to check whatever bookstore you use for its return policy. (Note: There is an older edition on reserve in the library, but it may be in use when you are looking for it.  You can "get by" for most activities in the class if you want to use the 10th edition, or maybe even the 9th, because most of the content is the same; but you need to be aware that these older editions will have different pagination, and you will miss some images or information need to answer some quiz questions if you rely on them.)

(2) Tidepools - Transparency 2009 (college journal), available only at the MiraCosta College Bookstore (very inexpensive - about $14).  You will need access to this book for quizzes and assignments as early as week two of the semester, so contact the bookstore early (you can buy it onsite and/or have it mailed to you).

(3) Required Movies: Plan to spend some money on getting films that are required in the class.  Most are available via DVD, VHS, internet, or television (see below at "Film Screenings," for some titles to be used this semester); you'll screen one or more feature-length films exhibited in a local theater (TBA); selected WWW sites. You can  find required films at the college library at MiraCosta or another college, or at a public library; you can rent them from your local video merchant (check out the Video Locator); you can use Netflix,  Blockbuster, or other online movie services; or you can purchase them for your own film library.  Do not use pirated internet film sites, which steal from the film artists and may endanger your computer with viruses and other damaging codes.

Recommended Books: (1) Any current, college-level handbook and a current college dictionary. (2) Timothy Corrigan's A Short Guide to Writing about Film, strongly recommended for cybercinema students, is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble).  Note:  A copy of an older edition of the Corrigan text has been placed on reserve in the MiraCosta Library in Oceanside for the convenience of local students.   [Back to Table of Contents]

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EQUIPMENT and TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. To take this course online you will need what is listed on the MiraCosta College Technical Requirements page.  Check it out for information on tools and tests to run to assure that your system is fully operational and ready to begin this course of study. You will also need the following:  (1) A VCR and/or DVD player (or computer access) will enable screening of DVDs (or videotapes) that you borrow from the library or rent from your video merchant.  (2) A word processor, such as Microsoft Word, will help you draft, revise, edit, and save your writing assignments before you copy them into a Moodle window for submission; you will be able to edit in Moodle, but it's always a good idea to draft and save your writing assignments in your own computer. (3) Plug-ins for Internet media (like Windows Mediaplayer, RealAudio, RealVideo, Quicktime, Shockwave, etc.) are needed for your learning activities in Film101.  (4) A browser that works well with Moodle: Firefox is best.

Important Technical Notes:

(1)  MOODLE.  For important information about our main learning environment, click on the Moodle page at MiraCosta.  Also, you'll always have access to a Moodle FAQs page and an introductory Tutorial at the upper left-hand corner of our Moodle main page (our "homeroom"). Moodle is very easy to use--but if you have any problems that aren't answered by information in the FAQs or Tutorial, or on the Moodle page itself (those yellow circles are clickable "help" links), please ask for technical assistance at the Student Help Desk.  As long as the problem is not on your computer or with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or phone/cable connection, then we should be able to help you.  We want you to enjoy this learning experience!

  • You need reliable access to a good computer with consistently trustworthy connection to the Internet.  If your system is unreliable, use a more reliable and secure location like the MiraCosta labs.
  • Important!!!  The Safari browser does not work with the Moodle editing function.  Internet Explorer works OK, but I've had problems with typing fast while editing in Moodle.  I recommend the Firefox browser.
  • Be sure you can switch easily back and forth between our main Moodle classroom and specific windows that may pop up in informational areas and/or during quizzes or in lectures.
  • You will need to disable pop-up blockers during  class (or have the Website on your "special" list). 
  • MiraCosta is conducting its fifth pilot semester with Moodle (now using the 1.9 version update), so please be patient with us if there's a problem.  We'll fix it as soon as we can and you will not be penalized as long as the problem is on our end. Check with the campus Moodle page for more information.

(2) EMAIL.  Normally, you'll send me messages in Moodle.  However, if you cannot log into Moodle, or if I request an email response, use my Film Internet address (film101@miracosta.edu). (Pleast do not send to my <gfloren> address - emails may be deleted unread from that address.) Please use the following guidelines for any special emails to me via film101@miracosta.edu:

  • Be sure to use a clear, detailed SUBJECT line that includes the following: (a) your Film 101 section #  (I teach more than one section of this class), (b) your full name as registered, and (c) the specific topic of your message.  I do not read or respond to email that is from an unknown source; also if you don't tell me your section in the subject line, I will have to hunt it down and this delays a reply.  If there is no indication of a name that is on my roster, then the email gets deleted. 
    • I will not remember your email address.  I usually trash messages with blank subject headings without reading them.
  • Do not send attachments to me unless that's what we've agreed.  I do not accept unsolicited e-mail attachments at my Internet mailboxes, including film (film101@miracosta.edu); if you have any writing to turn in, send it to me via the appropriate area of Moodle, or put it in the body of your email message if you cannot access Moodle.  (I understand that your formatting will be lost; just make sure you have corrected any changed text before sending it to me.)

(3) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.  Home technical problems will be the most difficult to solve (and MiraCosta does not offer home Internet service), so it is in your best interest to be familiar with the communications software you use to get on the Internet highway. When you need technical help or answers to technical questions about your computer or about the software in your computer, please contact your own computer service technician or Internet Service Provider.  When you need technical help with matters concerning a malfunction in your connection to MiraCosta, please refer to the Technical Requirements page and the Student Help Desk.  For information about the on-campus computer labs, go to the Academic Computing Services Website.  [Back to Table of Contents]

ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS. Film 101 is designed as a 16- to 17-week course organized into 2 Units of Learning (including 11 Lessons on particular film concepts) and a Final Activities/Assessment period.   Each week, you and I will check your learning based on your screenings as well as on your readings from the textbooks, online lectures, and Websites.

Weekly Assignment Lists:  The first thing you'll read each week is a page with a list of your assignments for that week.  Your semester-at-a-glance schedule gives you an overview of your assignments and quizzes throughout the semester, but these Weekly Assignment lists give details.   You can print out your list, and then check off each assignment as you do it.

Readings:  There are eleven lessons in the class, and for each lesson you'll read a chapter in the Giannetti textbook as well as a Weblecture.  Other reading assignments include project and quiz directions and guides, forum assignments and postings, etc.

Film Screenings. In order to build your knowledge of films and to enhance your ability to interpret films, you will screen several films, most of them full-length feature films and practice writing about how the films communicate to the audience using the various film language systems introduced in each of the lessons.  For some lessons, everyone in class will be expected to screen a particular film; there will be specific questions about the film in that week's quiz (you will be also able to write about these films in discussion forums and on the writing quizzes).  For other lessons, you will choose a film from a list of possibilities; while there will not be any specific questions about these film on multiple-choice quizzes (unless the film is discussed in Giannetti or the Weblecture), you will be able to write about these films in discussion forums and on the writing quizzes you will be expected to show you have screened and thought about the films.  Below, find a tentative film list for the class:

  • Unit One:  (1) Lesson One - photography: choose one from list in week's assignments.  (2) Lesson Two - mise-en-scene: Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (UK, Kubrick, 1963/4).  (3) Lesson Three - movement: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (USA / Hong Kong / China / Taiwan; Ang Lee; 2000). (4) Lesson Four - editing: choose one from list in week's assignments. (5) Lesson Five - sound: Citizen Kane (USA, Welles, 1941).
  • Unit Two: (1) Lesson Six - acting:  The Piano (Australia and New Zealand, Jane Campion, 1993).  (2) Lesson Seven - elements of drama (e.g., set design, costume design).  (3) Lesson Eight - story: North by Northwest (USA, Hitchcock, 1959) or TBA.  (4) Lesson Nine - writing:  choose one from list in week's assignments.  (5) Lesson Ten - ideology (political perspectives and socioeconomic class issues): Bowling for Columbine (USA, Moore, 2002) or TBA.  (6) Lesson Eleven - Critique and Ideology (gender/race issues): choose one from list in week's assignments.
  • Final Paper:  If you choose to complete the final paper, rather than the final creative project, you will analyze three recently released films, chosen from the list provided for this paper.  The creative project does not ask you to screen any films.  (See "Final Paper or Project" below.)

For more information about films in Film 101 and live links to films and directors, see the Semester Assignment Overview link, and for week by week assignment details click on each week's ASSIGNMENTS in Moodle, where you'll also find the film lists for weeks when you have a choice.

Accessing Films.  You can borrow or rent these films from local libraries or from local (or online) video merchants; you can download some of them, but use only legitimate online film sites.  Assigned films will usually be available for screening in the MiraCosta College Oceanside or SEC library when there is a VHS/DVD machine and monitor available. Sometimes they may be checked out overnight loan from the MCC reserve desk (Oceanside or SEC library); call in advance, and return promptly so another cyberstudent can access the film).  Assigned films may also be borrowed from other public libraries or rented from a local (or online) video merchant.  If you are having trouble finding an assigned film, let us know by posting a message to everyone in the Movie Club (Cafe Cinema)―typically a classmate will offer some help. Many former students recommend Netflix for getting DVDs or streaming available films. Check the Video Locator page for more information about locating films in San Diego County, and help us develop the page by providing new or updated information about where films can be located. If you live outside of the North San Diego County area, contact your local video merchants, public libraries, and colleges for help in locating the necessary videos; alternatively, you might want to build your collection at home and purchase videos.  Sometimes the week's film is scheduled on TV (on demand or for a scheduled showing)!  See the Film Sources section at the bottom of the semester assignments overview.

Interpreting Films. To the extent that you dedicate yourself to learning in this class, you will significantly improve your ability to appreciate and interpret films.  Ideally, the first encounter with a film, as with any work of art, is pre-critical. You simply let the film work its way into your mind and senses, without applying critical judgment, remaining alert, open, flexible, giving; in other words, until you have understood the film, you withhold judgment, opening yourself emotionally, intellectually, and imaginatively. Most people benefit from a second viewing that refines understanding and provides further support for criticalMythReceiver.JPG (16568 bytes) interpretation and appraisal of the work (i.e., judgment about the film's nature and worth). Sometimes, however, you will not have time to complete a second viewing. Since one goal of Film 101 is to help you refine your aesthetic judgment and critical thinking, you will often apply your developing skills in interpretation and critical analysis during your first screening—at the same time that you strive to remain aesthetically, intellectually, and emotionally open to the film experience. Such a task requires great concentration.  (You can't do the job if you're so exhausted that you're nodding off during the film, or if your housemates are distracting you, or if you have made appointments that prevent you from a complete and concentrated screening, or if you use a Website that changes or ruins the film experience you should be getting.) 

Discussion Forums. You will have many opportunities to creatively demonstrate the quality and extent of your learning in the Forums, where you will post your assignments, read what your classmates have written, and participate actively in substantive and lively discussions; active participation in the forums enhances your learning in the class, gives you a sense of community with your classmates, and shows the instructor the quality of your learning.  The Forums area is your place for clarifying concepts, communicating what you learned from the week's readings and film, sharing perceptions, asking and answering questions related to the lessons, developing ideas and interpretations, and helping each other. For best results, post your comments or assignments early enough to allow time for your classmates to respond to your posting, and for you to respond to your classmates' postings.  Your initial forum assignment postings related to the Lessons in the course are due no later than Thursday at 11:30 p.m., and your replies to classmates and comments on their postings are due no later than Sunday at 11:30 p.m.  This schedule provides a time frame that is early enough to allow time for your classmates to respond to your posting, and for you to respond to your classmates' postings; the schedule also accommodates students who work on weekends and can't handle the class if everything is due on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.  If Thursday is not a good day for you to complete your readings and screening and post your forum assignment, then plan to complete these learning activities earlier in the week (ditto for the Sunday reply deadline).  This semester, in addition to posting your introduction, you are expected to participate in a minimum of 6 regular forum opportunities related to the eleven lessons in the class (there are more forum opportunities than requirements).  In addition to regular forums, you will have 1-4 forum opportunities related to your final assignment, and a "last forum" assignment.

Think of the Forums as in-class reports and college-level discussions that lead to insight, not bull sessions that just pass the time!  Substantive and meaningful communication of what you learned in each lesson, and discussion with your peers about the lesson, enhance your learning and improve quality of the learning community; also, the deeper, more thoughtful, and more original your contribution to and participation in class discussion, the higher your grade in the class will be. 

In the forums, as on the writing quizzes, you are expected to write at the college level, to develop your thoughts in detail, to use facts, to be original, to think both creatively and critically, so give yourself the time to revise and edit your writing (italicizing or underlining film titles, fixing grammar and spelling mistakes, filling in holes where you need more detail, etc.).  Save your work on your own computer; then you can cut and paste into the Moodle window and edit there.  Moodle allows you 30 minutes after posting to edit what you have written and improve it, so don't just leave the forum after posting an assignment or reply.  Aim to post your forum writing at least one hour before the deadline so you have plenty of time to go back to the forum and click on your subject heading, re-read what you posted, and make it better.  See the Moodle FAQs page for more help on editing in Moodle.  For more about discussion in Film 101, including links to Netiquette sites, go to the Discussion page.  Because your writing in the forums shows the quality and extent of your learning, 40%-50% of your grade in the course is based on your performance in this area.

Quizzes and other Assignments.  In addition to forum assignments, there will be 8 quizzes (that's about every other week), 6 of them multiple-choice only, and 2 of them writing only; there are a few other light assignments during the semester.  These quizzes and assignments give you opportunities to demonstrate your developing knowledge base and understanding of film as a medium of communication, education, persuasion, and art.  You are expected to have your reading and screening assignments completed early in each film week so you have plenty of time for study and discussion related to those readings and screenings before the deadline for the quiz for the lessons covered (Sunday evening by 11:30 p.m.).  If Sundays are not good for you, then you can submit quizzes and assignments earlier in the week.  You may take your quizzes at any time during the available period but must submit your work no later than the final deadline for the week. You'll be able to use your books, notes, printouts, and Websites to help you remember facts, and to assist you as you write out individual and original responses to questions.  In fact, some quizzes may ask you to refer to an image or section of writing in the Giannetti chapter, Tidepools book, or Web lecture assigned for the week; so be sure to have these texts handy to help you answer questions on quizzes.  Unless otherwise notified, if you exit a multiple-choice quiz without submitting your work, you will earn an automatic zero (0).  In most cases you will have two chances at a quiz or exam, and you must complete it within the time allotted the first time you access it.  The first three multiple-choice quizzes assign you the higher of the two quiz scores; all other multiple-choice quizzes assign you the average of the two attempts if you choose to try a second time.  As for the two unit writing quizzes (which ask for paragraph and essay writing on questions connected to the two units in the class), you will be able to go in and out of the quiz area multiple times during the quiz week to draft, revise, and edit; whatever you have submitted by the Sunday evening deadline is what gets graded.  See also General Hints about Writing About Film. 

Final Paper or Project.  You'll complete either a final analytical paper (an analysis of the quality of 2-3 film language systems in 3 recently released films, chosen from a list) or a final creative project (summarizing how you would adapt into film a poem or story from Tidepools - Transparency.  (There will be sign-ups available in Unit One.) 

Final Exam.  There is no traditional final, no cumulative exam on course content; instead of a traditional final exam during Finals Week, you'll be asked to complete some final assessment activities. The final paper or project, along with the final assessment activities, function as a final exam in the class in terms of providing me with knowledge of how much and how well you have learned the content and skills introduced and practiced throughout the semester.

No Extra-Credit assignments in Film 101 this semester.  In previous semesters, I provided extra-credit points for various assignments; that proved confusing for students and unnecessarily complicated my job in the grading process.  This semester, there are no specific "extra-credit" assignments or activities in Film 101. 

X-FACTOR.  I do recognize extraordinary commitment to learning, participation beyond the minimum, superior depth and performance in learning activities, critical and/or creative thinking beyond the lower-division college level, unexpected generosity and helpfulness to classmates, and so forth; this "going the extra mile" and "showing the extra smile" can help raise your final percentage average anywhere from 1% to 4%.  For example, consistent participation in various learning activities that are not assigned points (e.g., the practice quiz,  various light assignments throughout the semester, the forums called "Cafe Cinema" and "I Have a Question" especially when you answer your classmates' questions), and meaningful participation in the discussion forums beyond the minimum expectations--these show extraordinary contribution to the class.  I reserve the X-Factor to recognize and encourage such "extra" performance.

As you can see, CyberCinema is designed to give you lots of opportunities to learn and to show how well you have learned the material. [Table of Contents]

GRADING―you earn what you learn: I am obligated to assign a grade that measures the quality and extent of your learning in this class―that is, how well you have achieved the course objectives. This is a pretty awesome responsibility, and I don't take it lightly. People vary in the way they learn and the manner in which they can best demonstrate their learning, and you'll need to tell me early if a quiz or other graded assignment or expectation just doesn't fit your learning style. Sometimes I can change things; sometimes I can't. I do reserve the right to provide substitute assignments and change the stated grading plan to accommodate individual learning styles. Use the following grading plan to determine your goals in and commitment to this class for a proposed 720 points possible:   A=90-100% of the total points possible (648-720points); B=80-89% (576-647 points); C=70-79% (504-646 points); D=60-69% (432-503 points); F=below 60% (below 504 points).   Your scores and comments will be available to you throughout the semester in your "Grades" area of Moodle; just click on "Grades" at the left-hand side of the Moodle main page (aka, our "home room"), and you will always know where you stand in terms of your grade in the class.

Unit One (280 points total):

  • Introduction Forum Posting (20 points). 
  • Multiple-Choice Quizzes 1, 2, and 3 (100 points). 
  • Regular Unit One Forums (3 @30 = 90 points).
  • Polls (10 points).
  • Unit One Writing Quiz (60 points). 

Unit Two (280 points total):

  • Multiple-Choice Quizzes 4, 5, 6  (120 points). 
  • Regular Unit Two Forums (3 @30 = 90 points). 
  • Polls (10 points).
  • Planning Forums for the Final Paper or Project OR Unit Two Writing Quiz (60 points). 

Final (160 points total):

  • Final Paper OR Final Project (100 points). 
  • Final Learning and Assessment Activities (60 points).

This course may also be taken with a "Pass/No Pass" grade option. This is a good option for students who think they might miss some assignments or quizzes, but who still want to participate in and enjoy the class without worrying about their GPA, because a "no pass" grade does not figure on a student's transcript GPA report; and a few "no pass" grades on a transcript are not harmful to the student record of achievement. (I had a few "No Credit" grades on my undergraduate transcript and still graduated with a BA, Summa Cum Laude, the salutatorian of my college class.) To receive a "pass" (or credit for the course), a student must have earned a grade of "C" or better. Consult the MiraCosta Important Dates page for the deadline to petition for a Pass/No Pass grade at MiraCosta College and for other important dates.  If you have any questions regarding this option, call Admissions and Records at 769-757-2121 ext. 6620.)  [Table of Contents]

POLICIES:

  • Attendance Policy: Your coming to class regularly, enthusiastic about learning and participating, is important to your success and sense of well being in this online course.  I expect you to come to class (Moodle) 2 or more different, non-consecutive days each week (ideally, you will check in more than the minimum number of days recommended each week) to complete the weekly lessons, to read the Web lectures, to check course updates and announcements and Messages, to take quizzes and work on assignments, and to take the opportunities to participate in class by contributing to discussion forums and by reading and responding to the postings of your classmates.  Course updates and announcements also go directly to your email address, so you are expected to check your email messages regularly.
  • Add/Drop/Withdrawal Policy. Consult your Schedule of Classes or the Important Dates page to review important dates and deadlines during the semester, including the deadline for adding classes, dropping a class with no "W" and with refund, and applying for Financial Aid―as well as the "Pass/No Pass" deadline, the deadline for application for a degree or certificate, and the last day to drop with a "W" on your permanent record.   I reserve the right to initiate a drop for dishonesty, disruption, discourtesy, or failure to make satisfactory progress.  (See the "Satisfactory Progress Policy" below. ) If I do initiate a drop after the midpoint of the semester, I may contact you by e-mail if I have your current address and if it seems appropriate to email you. Please note that if you choose to drop the course, the responsibility to complete necessary paperwork is yours.
  • Plagiarism/Cheating Policy. Substituting dishonesty for learning hurts and shames the cheater/plagiarizer; plagiarism or cheating shows disrespect for classmates and insults the teacher as well.  Plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated.  See the "Collaborative Learning vs. Cheating" section below. 
  • Satisfactory Progress Policy: "Satisfactory progress" means completion of activities and assignments by deadlines; "satisfactory progress" also means satisfactory performance on most or all of these assignments, and demonstration of active engagement in the learning experience, i.e., coming to class regularly (see attendance policy above), completing all assignments and tests, and participating in the discussions.  Since it is critical that you are able to navigate the online class and turn in assignments, the first Introduction forum assignment is required; if an adequate introduction is not posted by the deadline in week two, that will constitute unsatisfactory progress and will be grounds for dropping the student who failed to keep up.  This is an interactive class, which asks you to stay regularly involved with your learning. The course management system tells me each time you have come in, how long you have stayed, and where in the Moodle classroom areas you have spent your time. Because the interactivity is crucial, you may be dropped if you fail to participate at least minimally in the discussion forums or if you fail to submit quizzes or assignments or if you "disappear" from class (that means not showing up  for 7 days―or showing up but not engaging in or completing learning activities like quizzes and discussions as though you were "lurking" rather than learning).  Examples of unsatisfactory progress:  (1) You are logging in to the class but not participating substantively in discussion forums and worse, not even answering my personal messages to you.  (2) You earn lower than a "D" on 2 consecutive quizzes or activities.  (3)  You fail to submit two consecutive quizzes or assignment. Other problems such as cheating or disruptive behavior make progress unsatisfactory.  Example of unsatisfactory progress because of plagiarism:  You copy phrasing or sentences from a Website to complete an assignment but do not use quotation marks and/or do not document the source.   Note: I will not necessarily drop you if you fail to make satisfactory progress by not attending or passing learning checks, but I do reserve the right to initiate a drop at any time during the semester for dishonesty, disruption, discourtesy, failure to participate, or failure to otherwise make satisfactory progress in the class. 
  • Deadlines:  As a result of feedback from former students, I have designed a sequence of firm expiration (deadline) dates for quizzes, exams, and other assignments in the Moodle virtual classroom to encourage your consistent and attentive dedication to your learning here. Deadlines for forum assignment postings are on Thursdays at 11:30 p.m.; deadlines for most of the other learning activities (forum replies, quizzes, etc.) are Sundays at 11:30 p.m.  You can submit your work any time before these regular Thursday or Sunday 11:30 p.m. deadlines;  be sure to hit the "submit" button before 11:30 p.m. on the deadline date, or a zero will be recorded.  Please observe the due dates and deadlines for readings, screenings, other assignments, quizzes, and such, so we can stay together on this journey. 
  • Makeups/Retakes. Technical skills and adequate equipment and connectivity are prerequisites to online classes, and this course is set up to be fair to everyone who meets this prerequisite.  The point of this retake/makeup policy is to allow students with technical difficulties a chance to make some recovery from a mistake or a problem with their computer or service provider without penalizing students who are otherwise on track.  Students with technical skills, adequate computers, and good connectivity should not be penalized in any way by a policy that accommodates students who make computer mistakes or have personal computer problems.  Another reason for the retake/makeup opportunities is to accommodate students when they have a family or personal emergency that causes them to miss (or mess up on) a quiz or assignment.  Here are details for this semester:
    • Forums - none:  There are no makeups or retakes for discussion forum assignments or replies, but you can recover at least partially from a missed forum assignment posting. Examples: (1)  If you have prepared at least a part of your forum assignment but didn't make the Thursday deadline, focus on improving your replies in that forum (replies aren't due until Sunday evening); you may be able to use some of what you've prepared in a reply to a classmate if you make the information relevant as a genuine reply to that classmate.  (2) In addition to posting more substantive replies than usual, you can post more than the minimum two replies.  (3) You can always participate in more than the minimum number of required forums.  If you are at the beginning of the Unit, there will be ample time to make up for a missed deadline by participating in an additional forum.  Participation beyond the minimum requirement will raise your total discussion score in each unit, and may enhance your X-factor (see "No Extra Credit" above). 
    • Multiple-Choice Quizzes - 2 makeups/retakes possible, taken within one week:  You have one "free" makeup/retake for a quiz, whether you missed the quiz because of illness or emergency (or even because of neglect), or you earned a low score because of a computer or connection error or glitch, or you simply want to improve your score; as long as you submit your "free" makeup/retake within one week of that quiz deadline you can earn up to the maximum possible points.  Additionally, you will be able to make up or retake one other quiz if you submit your retake/makeup within one week of the deadline for that quiz; the retake/makeup score will be capped at 60% of possible points.
    • Unit Writing Quizzes - 1 makeup/retake possible, taken within one week:  You have one makeup/revision opportunity on a writing quiz.  Retakes/makeups are due within one week of the deadline and scores will be capped at 70% of possible points.
    • Final Paper or Project - none.  The final paper or project must be turned in by the posted deadline to receive any points. 
  • Exceptions.  I make no exceptions to the class policies above except in cases of dire emergency, unforeseeable and verified by a valid outside source, in addition to the student's statement.  To qualify for this kind of exception, you must write a formal letter of request that includes a description of the emergency and some form of written verification of the emergency.  Even in a verified emergency, there is no way to make up the forums, since they require interactivity in the same week's time frame with other students in the class.
  • Student Disability. If you have a verifiable permanent or temporary disability, you may be entitled to special services and equipment that will help you succeed at MiraCosta College. For more information, contact the Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) Office at 760-795-6658 You can access more information here at the DSPS Website.
  • The College Policy on Rights and Responsibilities of Students and Staff Members is available on the MCC Web.  Also there you will find the college policy on Student Grievance and Due Process and Student Disciplinary Action. 

magic-dw.jpg (15222 bytes)Collaborative Learning v. Cheating. Be sure you read the guidelines below concerning differences between collaboration and cheating.  Past students who have plagiarized have been penalized severely.  Read this student's statement on his plagiarism: DON'T PLAGIARIZE.  IT'S NOT WORTH IT!

On the Difference between "Collaborative Learning" and "Cheating"  

"Collaborative learning" means you have worked with someone else or you have consulted other sources than those provided in the assignment to improve the accuracy, depth, and enjoyment of your learning.  In many college classes, you are encouraged to collaborate with your classmates and other learners or helpers outside the classroom, and you are encouraged also to do additional research to broaden and deepen your understanding of the particular course concepts.  Collaborative learning comes closest to the way we naturally learn in various environments throughout our lives. 

For quizzes, you are encouraged to collaborate in the studying process.  However, when you take the quiz, there should be no collaboration.  Your performance on a quiz should be your own work.  Here you can use resources like books and Weblectures to help jog your memory about what you studied; but you are expected to work alone on this task when you are taking the quiz.  Also, it's important not to discuss items on the quiz with anyone else in the class until after the quiz deadline.  Although multiple-choice quizzes are randomized so quizzes will differ, there will be some duplicate questions.  If you reveal those questions, and/or answers, so a classmate can use that information to improve his/her quiz score, you have cheated not only yourself, but also your classmate and everyone else in class.

For writing quizzes or assignments, you are encouraged to collaborate on brainstorming for ideas, but ultimately the thinking and writing you submit must be yours; whatever you learn in the course of collaborating in the planning or brainstorming stages, the writing you submit must show that you have added new or different information as well as your own original perspective on the topic.  Also, if you do collaborate or do research on the writing topic, it's important that you report to me the name of your collaborator/helper and the nature of your collaboration or to document the source(s) you consulted.  This is to acknowledge your help and to show you are being a responsible learner and not a cheater or plagiarizer.  Helpers include people you know, as well as printed and Internet materials; so if you quote from a printed or Internet source, you need to provide documentation of your borrowing or it will be considered stealing.  (It goes without saying that when you quote from our textbooks or the Weblectures, you also provide adequate documentation.)

You document a source by giving source information enabling me to locate the information that you used (name of source, publisher and date of publication, URL  or Internet information); you can also give the name and relationship of the people―e.g., classmate, tutor, friend, or family member―who helped you on a quiz or class assignment, and tell what they did to help you accomplish the task (e.g., your friend checked the grammar on your essay, or a cybermate gave you the page number in Giannetti where you found the answer to a question, or gave you a hint that helped spark your imagination).  You can add the brief report to the end of any assignment you turn in for credit in the class.  This documenting or reporting part is very important, because if you do not credit the sources you read or borrowed or the people with whom you worked to learn or accomplish a task, you have passed off someone else's work as your own.  And that's cheating.

"Cheating" means you have passed off someone else's work as your own or somehow taken an action that puts you at an unfair advantage over your classmates not because you have better learning skills than they do, but because you have tweaked the educational system to get ahead in an unethical or unjust way.  "Stealing" someone else's work is cheating; it is also called plagiarism.

Example 1:  A student wants to earn points for a writing assignment, but doesn't have time to do the work.  He gets access to a previous semester, finds another student's work, and copies it.  He submits this work as his own original writing and gives no credit to his source.  This is obvious cheating, actually called "plagiarism," passing off someone else's work as one's own.  (Even if quotes were used, and credit given, it would still not be original work, and would therefore be considered cheating.)  I don't know why students do this; usually it's so obvious to me I don't even have to do much checking.  Fortunately, it doesn't happen too often.

Example 2: The instructions say that students can collaborate on the task, but 2 people turn in work under their own name and give no credit to each other and no report on the nature of the collaboration.  Or they do some research and copy, paraphrase, or summarize what they learned directly to their own paper without giving any credit or documentation of the actual source of the words and/or information.  In both cases, this is cheating, also called "plagiarism," passing off someone else's work (even if it was a minor help) as one's own. 

Example 3:  The instructions do not say students can collaborate, OR the instructions specifically direct students not to collaborate with anyone else on a particular activity, task, or learning check―but 4 people decide to ignore this instruction. This is cheating.  It puts these four people at an unfair and unjust advantage over others who have followed instructions and skews the whole assessment of the class. (Note: Unless instructions clearly indicate that student may collaborate, you should assume that you are not permitted to collaborate with other students or helpers outside of class on written assignments; when in doubt, ask the professor.  On the other hand, even when instructions do not indicate that research is permitted, most instructors will accept researched writing as long as your documentation is at the college level.  Always ask me to be sure.)

Cheating is cause for getting a zero on an assignment, being dropped from the class, earning an "F" in the class, losing opportunities for transfer or scholarship.  Please contact me whenever you are in doubt about the difference between collaborative learning and cheating, if there is any confusion about my directions on different assignments, or if you just want to talk about your decisions about seeking and using help to enhance your learning experience.  Ethics are not inborn; they are learned.  My job is to help you learn well.  Your job is to do the learning and to show your learning by turning in original work, by crediting your sources, and by reporting on collaboration when instructions permit it. [Table of Contents]

Want to improve your writing and make it easier to submit excellent writing assignments?  Check out the MiraCosta College Writing Center.  Writing consultants are available to you - just ask.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT MIRACOSTA COLLEGE.  Help is free!  Top students always ask for and get help; that's why they are top students.  Join them and stay on top at MiraCosta. Counseling Services | Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS) | Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) | Health Services | Honor Scholar Program | Library | Student Help Desk | Student Success Workshops | Tutoring and Academic Support Center | University Transfer Center | Writing Center

TECHNICAL TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN FILM 101 ONLINE

  • Use the college's Online Student Help Tips.
  • Keep in touch with your technical supporters: your Internet service provider, your computer and software resources. 
  • When you have a problem that is not due to your own computer, software, or ISP--check with the MiraCosta College Student Help Desk.
  • Use the Firefox browser.  Other browsers may not work when you are trying to edit your work to format with italics and underlining, for example.
  • Be sure to empty your cache in your browser each time you go to class and hit "renew" or "restore" or "reload" so that you get the latest updates of pages.  When in doubt, check with me or a classmate who has excellent academic and computer skills. (If the date is older than January 2010, suspect that you have cached an old page, and hit the reload button on your browser to make sure.)
  • I recommend you complete your written assignments in your word processor and then cut and paste them into the appropriate window in Moodle environment.  You can do some formatting in the windows in Moodle as long as you are using the Firefox browser.  If you are using the latest version of Word, you may have to save it in an older Word format in order for everything to work (the newest version of Word gave everyone headaches last semester).
  • You will normally send your messages to me in Moodle.  However, if the Moodle server goes down or when you cannot access Moodle, we will use email to communicate; in this case,  you can use my film101@miracosta.edu address to reach me.  Let me know why you can't access Moodle, and please do not send email attachments unless I specifically request an attachment. It is my practice to delete, unopened, all unsolicited e-mail attachments, so you won't get a response or credit for your email if it contains such an attachment. (There's a story here, and the key word is "virus.") 

GENERAL TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN FILM 101 ONLINE

  • Make your learning in Film 101 a high priority for this semester.
  • Read and use these and other tips and hints for success given during the semester.
  • Take advantage of the opportunities to get free assistance from tutors and writing consultants at MiraCosta College.
  • Come to class often and on different days (at least two different, non-consecutive days a week).
  • Print out the syllabus and assignment schedule, the Semester Assignment Overview as well as each weekly schedule, for use offline. 
  • Check your email regularly for announcements, and always check announcements (latest news) and messages when you log in to Moodle; also check the Forums to see what your classmates are saying and to join in the conversation.
  • Get your assignment details every week (e.g. "Week Two Assignments"), where you'll find a list of each week's assignments, and previews of exam questions, essay questions, and coming attractions.
    •
  • Don't wait until the deadline or expiration date to begin studying each week. Stay on top of your learning curve by keeping up with the readings, screenings, quizzes, tests, and assignments.
  • Keep an open mind about films and perceptions or ideologies that are different from your own.  Be willing to ask questions and share your original thoughts about the text, films, Websites, or Weblectures. 
  • Compose substantive and meaningful responses to forum assignments about concepts in the text and issues raised by the films screened in class, and  give lots of details and examples in your assignment and your replies to classmates; post your forum assignment by the Thursday deadline, and reply by the Sunday deadline with generous and creative responses to your classmates.
  • Read your classmates' postings before submitting your own so you don't end up copying or writing the same thing someone else has already posted. If you want to duplicate something already said, then acknowledge the classmate who posted earlier and add your own new and original thinking. 
  • Do your own thinking and writing for your assignments, and don't take dangerous "short cuts" like plagiarizing, which shows disrespect for me, for the class, and for yourself.  Don't copy and paste work by other writers and claim the writing is your own; that won't work in this class.  Plagiarism is not a "short cut" to learning; it is the opposite of learning and comes with severe penalties. 
  • Revise and edit your writing so that it shows college-level writing skills.  Underline or italicize film titles. 
  • Ask questions after you've searched for an answer or when the information you found does not help or makes you feel insecure, and help classmates by offering answers to their questions.  We'll be learning together this semester.  Your classmates are also a valuable resource.
  • Show enthusiasm for learning as well as courtesy, helpfulness, and kindness toward your classmates and your instructor. 
  • Keep in touch with your classmates and with me, your instructor.
  • If you are confused and can't understand something no matter how many times you read over the course materials, don't be satisfied with confusion.  Ask for clarification. 
  • Send me a Message to arrange for a phone call for reliable real-time communication about things that are difficult to sort out through electronic communications.
  • Be original and creative. 
  • Share what you are learning with friends and family.  Ask them to help you as you try out new ideas about film, experiment with new film experiences, and complete assignments in the class.
  • Constantly apply what you are learning to the life you are living and what you care about.
  • Love your learning!  Have fun with your learning!

Learning is one of the great pleasures of being human.
Enjoyment of learning leads to happiness, not to mention success in college classes.

Gloria Floren, Film in the Letters Department, MiraCosta College,
One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, California 92056. U.S.A.
Created 20 January 1998. Revised 09 January 2010.  Contents Copyright 1998-2010 Gloria L. Floren. All rights reserved.
 Selected artwork by permission of artist, David Works at http://www.erols.com/dworks/ .
On this page are "Another View," "Resting Place,"  "Myth Receiver," "Magic-DW," and "Future Tech." 
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