2005-2006 LAST 310 A1/ FS 399 A1: Latin America at the Movies 

Instructor: Dr. Victoria Ruétalo
Office: Arts 209 E
Telephone: 492-6766	 	Fax: 492-9106
E-mail: victoria.ruetalo@ualberta.ca

Time: T, R 2:00-3:20 pm
Place: ARTS 550
Lab: R 5:00-7:50 pm Bus 4-13
Office Hours: T, R 12:45-1:45 pm or by Appointment
Course Website: www.ualberta.ca/~vruetalo

Course Description and Objectives:

A historical, critical and theoretical survey of the cinemas of Latin America. This course will be divided into four different units: Modernization, the Arrival of Cinema and the Revolution of Sound 2. The Construction of National Industries 3. The New Latin American Cinema and 4. Contemporary and Post-National Cinemas.

Texts:

Required: 
John King. Magical Reels. A History of Cinema in Latin America. 2nd Edition. London: Verso, 2000. 
LAST 310 Selected Readings. Coursepack available at U of A Bookstore. 

Recommended: 
For LAST Students: 
Gerald Mast and Bruce Kawin. A Short Hisory of the Movies. 9th Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2005.

For FS Students:    
John Charles Chasteen. Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina press, 2001.

Notes:

1."Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar." (GFC 29 SEP 2003).

2. "The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University." (GFC 29 SEP 2003)

Grade Distribution:

Term Work

70%

Final Exam

30%

Total

Term Work: 

Midterm

30%

Scene Analysis #1

10%

Scene Analysis #2

10%

Final Paper

40%

MLCS Grading Scale:

Notes:

Class attendance is important and participation will count for 10% of the term work. It is to the benefit of the student to attend class prepared to contribute to the class discussion, make comments, and ask questions. This will make the learning experience more enjoyable for all of us. Throughout the semester there will be in-class assignments, group work and discussions to complement the professor's lectures.

Each student will hand in two scene analysis of two pages in length. The purpose of theses assignment is for the student to complete a thorough analysis of a chosen scene from a film assigned by the instructor and to show the role of the scen in the overall movie. Scene Analysis #1 will be due on Thursday September 22, 2005. Scene Analysis #2 will be due on Tuesday November 8, 2005.

Each student will have to hand in a final term paper on a topic discussed with the instructor. The purpose of this paper is to show how the student grapples with the material discussed in class, and his/her ability to take a critical position on an important issue in Latin American film studies. Essays will be ten to twelve (10-12) typewritten pages in length and contain bibliography and notes in correct format. The paper will be due on Thursday December 1, 2005.

There will be two exams in the course. Each exam will test the student's comprehension and grasp of the material as well as the student's ability to take that knowledge and apply it in a discussion of certain related topics. The midterm is scheduled fro Tuesday October 11, 2005. The final exam will be taken on Monday December 12, 2005.

If you have any questions and/or problems I am available during my office hours. If for some reason you need to see me at another time please contact me to make an appointment.

http://www.ualberta.ca/~unisecr/policy/sec30.html.

I hope we all have an enjoyable semester! J