Film and Literature

Course Syllabus
Film and Literature: 2016-2017
Instructor: Justin Rollolazo
Classroom Location: Room 214
Instructor Email: jrollolazo@stliz-hs.org

Course Description:
Students will view and analyze a variety of films filled with thought provoking themes
and concepts meant to inspire critical thinking and introspection. Students will explore both
literature and film as art expressed by the author/filmmaker. Movies in class will address social,
historical, economic, political, and artistic issues that are relevant to students lives in modern
America.

Course Objectives:
1. Students will be able to analyze various themes and literary devices in movies and their
related literature.
2. Students will develop analytical thinking and writing skills to demonstrate understanding of
thematic elements and cinematic features in the film adaptations of literature.
3. Students will be able to produce and edit written narratives containing the essential elements
of storytelling.
4. Students will be able to use mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.) to produce, edit and publish a
movie containing the essential elements of visual literacy and storytelling.

Course Materials: (some materials maybe added as needed)

1.
2.
3.
4.

Thumb Drive
Composition/spiral notebook for daily writing
Pens/pencils
Access to a computer at home more than a cell phone (if you dont have computer/
internet access, you must inform me the first day of class)
5. YOUR MIND!

Assignments:
1. Screen Play/Script: In groups, students will conceive of an original idea and create a script
and screen play for a movie. The screen play/script will be created using software
throughout the first semester.

2. Original Movie: In groups of 4 or 5, students will produce, edit and release an original film
using their own screen play/script to be submitted for a class Film Festival.
3. Film Festival Review: Each student will complete a written movie review and select winners
in various categories based on cinematic and writing standards/requirements for the class.
4. Movie Analysis Portfolio (1 or 2 submissions per movie): Students will watch various
movies in class and conduct analyses on themes, character development and cinematic
techniques. These analyses will relate current events and themes to the movies from our
class.

Parent/Guardian Consent Forms:

On the first day of class, all students will be given a Parental Consent Form to be signed
by a parent/guardian. Because some of the movies may contain adult content, guardians must
give students permission to view the material. Every movie will be accompanied with materials
and discussion to provide social/historical context which will serve to provide educational value
to the content of the movies. Most movies are rated PG and PG-13, but there are a few movies
rated R. If a rated R movie is used, the class will use clips of the movie rather than showing it
in its entirety.
Should a parent/guardian disapprove of any of the movies listed on the syllabus and
would like to have their child exempt from the film, an alternate movie and corresponding lesson
will be provided for the student. An alternate movie that is not Rated R will be chosen from the
list.

List of Movies:
In no particular order, this is the list of potential movies that may be used in the class
based on time availability. We will not be able to watch all of these movies and in some cases,
only small portions of the movies will be watched in class. The class will also have to read
related texts, articles and materials as part of the lessons for each movie.
. Hoop Dreams
2. The Truman Show
3. Coach Carter
4. Gridiron Gang
5. Shawshank Redemption*
6. Great Debaters
7. Remember the Titans
8. Finding Forrester
9. Life is Beautiful
10. The Matrix

11. Groundhog Day

21. Bend It Like Beckham
12. Stranger Than Fiction
22. The Help
13. Up
23. Big
14. Wag The Dog*
24. Gattaca
15. Footloose
25. Amexicano
16. The Green Mile
26. A Better Life
17. The Pursuit of Happyness 27. Norma Rae
18. The Blind Side
28. Harlan County, USA
19. Glory Road
29. Blood Diamond*
20. Star Wars Trilogy
30. The Brave One*

*Indicates an R Rated movie: An additional parental consent form will be required for
these movies if used in class.

Grading/Assessment:
The following scale will be used to determine your grade for the course:
A: 100%-90% B: 89%-80% C: 79%-70% D: 69%-60% F: 59%-Below

Class Expectations:
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2.
3.
4.
5.

Be on time.
Be respectful of yourself, classmates and teachers.
Be present, both physically and mentally.
No cell phones in class (unless explicitly told to use them for academic purposes)
Be prepared to speak in every class. When you speak, speak clearly so everyone can hear
you.
6. Be confident. Trying your personal best is an expectation.
7. Never give up-The best learning occurs when the content is just a little too difficult to
understand the first couple of times you try to understand it.
8. Be yourself. Think for yourself.

A Brief Word On Plagiarism:

I want all students to think for themselves. Literature inspires freedom of thought and ideas.
Blatantly copying the ideas and words of another person is unacceptable in any form. Part of the
class will include the use of APA format for quotations and citations (so there will be no excuse
to plagiarize).