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Syllabus

GRST 270 | Spring 2022

Mondays & Wednesdays 2:00–3:15 pm

Robert Scott Small 137

Instructor: Cara Tovey, Ph.D.

Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30–5:00

pm, by appointment only

Office: JC Long 425

email: toveyce@cofc.edu

Course Description:

This course explores the intersection of protest movements and Germanophone film. Covering the early 20th century through today, we will examine narratives of protest, avant-garde aesthetics of protest, as well as calls to action in contemporary documentaries covering a range of topics. Films will be made available with English subtitles, and readings, as well as class discussions, will be in English.

 

Department of German and Russian Studies Mission Statement:

The Department of German and Slavic Studies seeks to provide students with a broad range of courses, degree programs, study abroad opportunities and internships to develop proficiency and cultural literacy in German and Russian. The department’s mission is to prepare all students for success as professionals for life-long critical engagement as global citizens through the study of language, literature, and media as an integral part of the liberal arts education.

 

General Education Student Learning Outcomes: Humanities

Outcome 1: Students analyze how ideas are represented, interpreted or valued in various expressions of human culture.

Outcome 2: Students examine relevant primary source materials as understood by the humanities area under study and interpret the material in writing assignments (or alternatives that require equally coherent and sustained analysis).

The General Education Student Learning Outcomes will be assessed by the Final Analytical Paper.

 

Course Policies:

Attendance: This course is taught in person. Attendance is mandatory. Do let me know if there is an emergency or if you are missing class due to an illness. If you accumulate more than 3 unexcused absences, you risk receiving a lower grade. You will be responsible for all the work you have missed.

Grading:

20% Participation (including attendance and general preparation for class)
20% Blog Posts (9/11)
3% Individual Meeting
20% Midterm
17% Video Essay
20% Final Analytical Paper (GenEd assessment tool)

Grading Scale:

93–100 (A); 90–92 (A-); 88–89 (B+); 83–87 (B); 80–82 (B-); 78–79 (C+); 73–77 (C); 70–72 (C-); 68–69 (D+); 66–67 (D); 65 (D-); 0–64 (F)

Readings and Films: All readings will be made available to you through OAKS. All films will either be made available through OAKS or will be accessible via an online streaming platform such as YouTube or Netflix. You are responsible for making sure that you have completed the reading or the viewing and the associated assignments prior to class. If you are having trouble accessing the materials, you need to contact me with enough notice so that we can find a solution.

 

Assignments:

Readings and Films: You are expected to complete the readings and film viewings for the class period that they are assigned. This means spending a good amount of time with the materials reading, watching, and taking notes.

The rule of thumb regarding assignments outside of class is that for every hour in class, you should expect two hours of work outside of class. Hence, for a three-hour class, expect a minimum of six hours of outside work including watching the film, working with video clips, reading the articles, and writing the assignments.

Blog Posts: Each week you will write a blog post that you will post to the course blog. The blog posts will be based on that week’s film and readings. The blog posts will vary from simple essays to more complex forms that incorporate different media, including stills and short clips from the films. I will give special instructions on how to complete each assignment. The assignments will build off one another and will progress logically to build your analytical and

editing skills to help prepare you for the final video project. As part of these assignments, you will also need to respond to at least one of your classmates’ posts per week. The best 9 out of 11 posts will count toward your final grade.

Individual Meeting: You are required to come to meet with me during my office hours once before the mid-point of the semester (February 21st). This will count as 3% of your overall grade for the semester. Office hours are on page 1, or you may contact me to arrange a time to meet.

Midterm: There will be take-home essay midterm due on Monday, March 21st. The midterm will consist of a combination of short answer questions, a sequence analysis, and one longer analytical question.

Final Project: Your final project will consist of two parts. The first will be a creative assignment that you will complete with a partner. Together you will create a 5-minute video essay on one of the themes we discussed during the semester. During our second to last class session, we will hold a viewing of the videos.

In addition to the video essay, you will write an individual analytical paper that will also be used as the assessment tool for the General Education requirement in the Humanities. In this paper, you will be expected to identify and interpret key themes and topics related to Transnational Cinema. The topics for the paper will be due April 20th. We will hold a writing workshop on the last day of class where you will have a chance to workshop your paper. You are required to bring a draft of your paper to class that day. The analytical paper will be due Friday, April 29th at 3:3–5:30pm.

Extra Credit: Students may receive extra credit for attending up to 3 events and emailing the instructor a description of the event and their impressions of it, in German. There are many to choose from this semester (please the additional handout, and others may be added or announced during the semester).

 

Campus Policies and Resources:

Honor Code and Academic Integrity

Lying, cheating, attempted cheating, and plagiarism are violations of our Honor Code that, when identified, are investigated. You are expected to be aware of and abide by all provisions of the college honor code: http:// jinr.people.cofc.edu/honorcode.pdf

Assess Statement:

The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should apply for services at the Center for Disability Services/SNAP located on the first floor of the Lightsey Center, Suite 104. Students approved for accommodations are responsible for notifying me as soon as possible and for contacting me one week before accommodation is needed.

Inclusion Statement:

You will be encouraged throughout the semester to express you own ideas and opinions. It is expected that you will be courteous and respectful of your fellow classmates as well as the various ideas and themes that we will be discussing this semester. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran.

I will gladly honor your request to address you by the name and gender pronouns of your choice.  Please advise me of this early in the semester via your college-issued email account or during office hours so that I may make the appropriate notation on my class list.

The College of Charleston offers many resources for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff along with their allies.

Preferred Name and Pronoun Information

On Campus Gender Inclusive facilities

Campus Resources

College of Charleston Reporting Portals

National Resources for Faculty & Staff

GSEC Reports

Documenting LGBTQ Life in the Lowcountry (CofC Addlestone Library Special Collections Project)

College of Charleston Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Articles about CofC and LGBTQ+ Issues

Statement of religious accommodation:

The College of Charleston community is enriched by students of many faiths that have various religious observances, practices, and beliefs.  We value student rights and freedoms, including the right of each student to adhere to individual systems of religion.  The College prohibits discrimination against any student because of such student’s religious belief or any absence thereof. https://academicaffairs.cofc.edu/documents/ procedures-and-practices/statement-of- accommodation.pdf

Inclement Weather, Pandemic or Substantial Interruption of Instruction

If in-person classes are suspended, faculty will announce to their students a detailed plan for a change in modality to ensure the continuity of learning. All students must have access to a computer equipped with a web camera, microphone, and Internet access. Resources are available to provide students with these essential tools.

Center for Student Learning:

The Center for Student Learning’s (CSL) academic support services provide assistance in study strategies, speaking & writing skills, and course content. Services include tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, study skills appointments, and workshops. Students of all abilities have become more successful using these programs throughout their academic career and the services are available to you at no additional cost. For more information regarding these services please visit the CSL website at http://csl.cofc.edu or call (843) 953-5635.

Mental & Physical Wellbeing:

At the college, we take every student’s mental and physical wellbeing seriously. If you find yourself experiencing physical illnesses, please reach out to student health services (843.953.5520). And if you find yourself experiencing any mental health challenges (for example, anxiety, depression, stressful life events, sleep deprivation, and/or loneliness/homesickness) please consider contacting either the Counseling Center (professional counselors at http://counseling.cofc.edu or 843.953.5640 3rd Robert Scott Small Building) or the Students 4 Support (certified volunteers through texting “4support” to 839863, visit http://counseling.cofc.edu/cct/index.php, or meet with them in person 3rd Floor Stern Center).  These services are there for you to help you cope with difficulties you may be experiencing and to maintain optimal physical and mental health.

Food & Housing Resources:
Many CofC students report experiencing food and housing insecurity. If you are facing challenges in securing food (such as not being able to afford groceries or get sufficient food to eat every day) and housing (such as lacking a safe and stable place to live), please contact the Dean of Students for support (http://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/about/salt.php). Also, you can go to http://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/student-food-housing-insecurity/index.php to learn about food and housing assistance that is available to you. In addition, there are several resources on and off campus to help. You can visit the Cougar Pantry in the Stern Center (2nd floor), a student-run food pantry that provides dry-goods and hygiene products at no charge to any student in need. Please also consider reaching out to Professor ABC if you are comfortable in doing so.

Tutoring Lab:

I encourage you to utilize the Center for Student Learning’s (CSL) academic support services for assistance in study strategies and course content. They offer tutoring, supplemental Instruction, study skills appointments, and workshops. Students of all abilities have become more successful using these programs throughout their academic career and the services are available to you at no additional cost. For more information, please visit the CSL website at http:// csl.cofc.edu or call (843)953-5635.

 

Semester Overview:

This schedule is the preliminary plan and is subject to change. The most up-to-date schedule will always be on Oaks.

Date In Class Homework and Assignment (due on the day they are listed)
Week 1: Introduction and Montage
Mon. Jan. 10 Introduction: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

 

 
Wed. Jan. 12 Eisenstein, Streik 1) Read the Syllabus

2) Watch Eisenstein, Streik

3) Register for Kanopy

4) Get on the course blog and respond to the prompt on the first post.

Week 2: Montage cont.
Mon. Jan. 17 MLK Day: No Class

 

Tues. Jan. 18 Last Day for Add/Drop, request an Audit, and apply for Pass/Fail

 

Wed. Jan. 19 Eisenstein, Streik cont.

Eisenstein, “A Dialectic Approach to Film Form”

1) Read Eisenstein, “A Dialectic Approach to Film Form”
Week 3: Brecht + Socialist Aesthetics
Mon. Jan. 24 Dudow, Kuhle Wampe or Who Owns the World? (Kuhle Wampe: Oder Wem gehört die Welt?) 1) Blog post 1 due

2) Watch Dudow, Kuhle Wampe or Who Owns the World?

Wed. Jan. 26 Dudow, Kuhle Wampe or Who Owns the World? (Kuhle Wampe: Oder Wem gehört die Welt?) cont.

Brecht, “Modern Theater is Epic Theater”

Benjamin, “The Work of Art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction” (excerpt)

 1) Read Brecht, “Modern Theater is Epic Theater”

2) Read Benjamin, “The Work of Art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction” (excerpt)

Week 4: WWII Resistance
Mon. Jan. 31 Lang and Brecht, Hangmen Also Die! 1) Blog post 2 due

2) Watch Lang and Brecht, Hangmen Also Die!

Wed. Feb. 2 Lang and Brecht, Hangmen Also Die! cont.

Gemünden, “Brecht in Hollywood”

1) Read Gemünden, “Brecht in Hollywood”

 

Week 5: 68
Mon. Feb. 7 Zadek, I‘m an Elephant, Madame (Ich bin ein Elefant, Madame)

Sandford, “The Development of West German Cinema”

1) Blog post 3 due

2) Watch Zadek, I‘m an Elephant, Madame

3) Read Sandford, “The Development of West German Cinema”

Wed. Feb. 9 Zadek, I‘m an Elephant, Madame (Ich bin ein Elefant, Madame) cont.

Dobstadt, “Peter Zadek’s Ich bin ein Elefant, Madame: Discussing ‘1968’ by Means of ‘1968 Thinking'”

1) Read Dobstadt, “Peter Zadek’s Ich bin ein Elefant, Madame: Discussing ‘1968’ by Means of ‘1968 Thinking'”
Week 6: New German Cinema — Feminism
Mon. Feb. 14 Sander, Subjektitüde, and A Bonus for Irene (Eine Prämie für Irene) 1) Blog post 4 due

2) Watch Sander, Subjektitüde, and A Bonus for Irene

Wed. Feb. 16 Sander, Subjektitüde, and A Bonus for Irene (Eine Prämie für Irene) cont.

Gerhardt, “Helke Sander’s dffb Films and West Germany’s Feminist Movement”

1) Read Gerhardt, “Helke Sander’s dffb Films and West Germany’s Feminist Movement”
Week 7: New German Cinema — The end of the 68ers
Mon. Feb. 21 Fassbinder, Brustellin, Cloos, Kluge, et. al. Germany in Autumn (Deutschland im Herbst)

 

1) Blog post 5 due

2) Read “Part VI: 1977-1989” in A New History of German Cinema

3) Watch the first half of Germany in Autumn

Wed. Feb. 23 Fassbinder, Brustellin, Cloos, Kluge, et. al. Germany in Autumn (Deutschland im Herbst) cont.

 

1) Read William, “27 October 1977: Deutschland im Herbst Equivocates on RAF and Marks End Stage of Radical Filmmaking”

2) Watch the second half of Germany in Autumn

Week 8: New German Cinema — Anti-War
Mon. Feb. 28 Farocki, The Inextinguishable Fire (Nicht löschbares Feuer) 1) Blog post 6 due

2) Watch Farocki, The Inextinguishable Fire

Wed. Mar. 2 Herzog, Lessons in Darkness (Lektionen in Finsternis)

Minnesota Declaration + Addendum

1) Watch Herzog, Lessons in Darkness

2) Read Minnesota Declaration + Addendum

Fri. Mar. 4 Last Day to Complete the Individual Meeting with Me
Spring Break: March 6–12
Week 9: DDR
Mon. Mar. 14 Kraume, The Silent Revolution (Das schweigende Klassenzimmer) 1) Blog post 7 due

2) Watch Kraume, The Silent Revolution

Wed. Mar. 16 Kraume, The Silent Revolution (Das schweigende Klassenzimmer) cont.

MLK Jr. on Civil Disobedience

Reading TBD

1) Watch MLK Jr. on Civil Disobedience

2) Read TBD

Week 10: The Fall of the Wall
Mon. Mar. 21 Midterm 1) Submit Midterm on OAKS
Wed. Mar. 23 Last day to withdraw with a grade of “W”

Voigt and Kroske, Leipzig in Autumn (Leipzig im Herbst)

1) Watch Voigt and Kroske, Leipzig in Autumn

 

Week 11: The Berlin School as Counter Cinema
Mon. Mar. 28 Petzold, The State I Am In (Die innere Sicherheit) 1) Blog post 8 due

2) Watch Petzold, The State I Am In

 

Wed. Mar. 30 Petzold, The State I Am In (Die innere Sicherheit) cont.

Abel, The Counter Cinema of the Berlin School (excerpt)

1) Read excerpt from the introduction to Abel, The Counter Cinema of the Berlin School
Week 12: Comedy as Critique
Mon. Apr. 4 Discussion of the Final Paper and Video Project

Wnendt, Look Who’s Back (Er ist wieder da)

1) Blog post 9 due

2) Watch Wnendt, Look Who’s Back

Wed. Apr. 6 Wnendt, Look Who’s Back (Er ist wieder da) cont.

Reading TBD

1) Read TBD

 

Week 13: Dance and Music as Protest
Mon. Apr. 11 Imondi and Ratsch, Neukölln Unlimited 1) Blog post 10 due

2) Watch Imondi and Ratsch, Neukölln Unlimited

 

Wed. Apr. 13 Imondi and Ratsch, Neukölln Unlimited cont.

Reading TBD

1) Read TBD
Week 14: Utopias
Mon. Apr. 18 Outline of Video Essay Due

Langbein and Schmitt, Utopia Revisited (Zeit für Utopien)

1) Blog post 11 due

2) Watch Langbein and Schmitt, Utopia Revisited

3) Upload your outline of your video essay to OAKS

Wed. Apr. 20 Final Paper topics due

Langbein and Schmitt, Utopia Revisited (Zeit für Utopien) cont.

 

1) Submit topic and thesis statement for final paper on OAKS

 

Week 15
Mon. Apr. 25 Fill out Course Evaluations in Class Final discussion and writing workshop 1) Work on your video essays and final papers
Reading Day: Tuesday, April 26
Final Paper and Videos Due: Friday, April 29th at 3:3–5:30pm
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