HUM 210: Contemporary Cinema

Done…

rrodrigo2 — Thu, 11 May 2006 07:00:34 +0000

Ok folks…check your emails!!!

Update…

rrodrigo2 — Tue, 02 May 2006 03:09:20 +0000

The gradebook is updated from work in Module 8. You have all the assignments posted for Module 9 (the end of semester reflection assignment prompt is posted on the website and the end of semester survey is posted in WebCT where you check your grades). So please, please, please go check your grades and take the end of semester survey. If your grades look off, email me ASAP.

Shelley

Oops…forgot to mention

rrodrigo2 — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 21:21:54 +0000

I just wanted to say “no stress” on the fact I didn’t get up “weekly assessments” for the past couple modules. I also didn’t get up terms for the “special effects” area to research. Don’t worry about it; however, do make sure to do everything else for the module because it is still all worth 80 points (meaning each thing is now worth more percentage of the points).

Hopefully I didn’t just confuse everyone…

Wrapping up the semester…

rrodrigo2 — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 17:54:16 +0000

Folks, if you haven’t noticed, we are on the downward spiral towards the end of the semester. I’ve updated the gradebook through Module 7 (including the annotated bibliography). You’ll want to be sure to complete module 8 tonight and Saturday. Don’t forget to do the peer reviews of your classmate’s drafts of the final papers. The assignment prompt for the end of semester reflection (module 9) is posted on the course website. I’ll be posting the end of semester course evaluation survey in WebCT (where the gradebook is) over the weekend. I will also be posting information about a last minute extra credit opportunity over the weekend as well.

Please, please, please go look at your grade in the gradebook (http://webct.mc.maricopa.edu) and email me with any questions or concerns.

Shelley

Module 4 Assessment

rrodrigo2 — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 18:31:14 +0000

I’ve been out of town for the past two weeks…so my mind is a little wiped. Don’t worry about Module 4 assessment this round…just make sure to do all of the work for Module 4, esp. the proposal for your course paper.

Shelley

Module 3 Assessment

rrodrigo2 — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 16:24:26 +0000

(Remember…reply to this posting as “student” so it is anonymous)1. What are the two or three most “important points” from this week’s reading?

2. What do you think about using uniblogs? furl? gritwire? How are you using them?

Extra Credit Opportunity

rrodrigo2 — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 05:45:57 +0000

Ok folks…you can earn up to 60 points extra credit (20 points each night). You may earn up to 20 points each night you attend the film festival one of my colleagues is hosting. You will then need to blog about the film. What did you think about it? Like or not? Why? Do a little internet research and reflection in terms of what you have read for the class so far.

Module 2 Assessment

rrodrigo2 — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 17:20:45 +0000

(Remember…reply to this posting as “student” so it is anonymous)1. What are the two or three most “important points” from this week’s reading?

2. What are the two or three most “important points” you learned from your classmate’s postings?

3. What questions do you still have about the content covered in this module?

Replies to Assessment for Module 1

rrodrigo2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:18:40 +0000

Great quiz questions. As you think about stuff like this, remember that instructors are usually interested in broad concepts, not picky details. Or lets rephrase that…I’m concerned that you understand broad concepts and trends…you can always look up a specific film release date or director on IMDB!

Course concerns:

As for deadlines and this class…you’ve got a calendar for the rest of the semester. I would take the 10-15 minutes and make sure you’ve got everything down in your personal calendar.
Posting URLs to uniblogs…humm…I have no idea why they got chopped off. Don’t stress too much…that is part of why you furled them! J We can always find the link via your furl account.
Time…I did warn you…online classes do take time. However, you are correct…you will get in a rhythm. Also…my classes tend to be top heavy…survive the first half, it’s smooth sailing!
Amount of info on research and reflection blogs…think about if from my perspective…you are demonstrating what you’ve learned…you need to provide details! These take the place of both homework and in-class discussion and activities.

Folks…hang in there…you are doing GREAT!

Comment on Module 1

rrodrigo2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:18:16 +0000

Let my first say that overall, I was really impressed with the work you all did. There is always the moment when I ask myself whether this will all “work” when I put together a new online class…you all pulled it off!

I also want to say thanks to all of you who went above and beyond the call of duty in searching out sources about “crew” members. The “film terms” portion of each module is just to help you all become more familiar with film studies. I had no intention of you all needing to find sources that both discussed the term, and the film we were watching; however, many of you did that this week! Rock on! Just keep in mind for future weeks, you don’t need to…you just need to find sources about the specific film term/element.

For the work assigned in “Week 1” and “Module 1,” you all will get full credit as long as you sincerely tried to complete everything. However, there are a handful of you who technically “did” everything required; however, it was at a very minimalist effort. For future modules, you’ll need to be more critical and more engaged. Not that any one person’s work in module one was “perfect,” check out Diane C’s, Nora M’s, and Robb O’s entries and replies for ideas on how to really engage the material.

From here on out, you’ll all be responsible for doing all the work, and replies, by the deadlines posted. If for some reason you will not be able to meet a specific deadline, email me in advance to start a discussion about it.

General Comments on Module 1:

I was thrilled to see people watching and commenting on the DVD extras. Seriously consider watching those “parts” of the films. They usually give some interesting insights into the films that help make meaning with the class material.

For the various “find resources” assignments you need to both blog and furl. You need to furl the resources you find (and consider furling the resources you find, but decide not to write about). You’ll need to spend some time reflecting on how/why the resource is useful to the class. You will also need to include a full bibliographic citation for it in the Blog entry, MLA style. If you need help with MLA, check out:

During your initial reflection on the weeks reading and viewing, please make sure to merge your discussion of the two. I assigned the film for that week for a reason, try to make the connection. And on that same note, I know that we all have gut responses to the films; however, I honestly don’t care whether or not you like the films. Instead, try to think about how and why the film was important to watch. How does it inform your understanding of contemporary cinema? Many of us need to start our reflections on films with a “like” or “dislike” comment; however, for this class you need to move beyond that. Consider pushing yourself by asking why you like or dislike it? What expectations do you have? How are they met? Defied? How do your various cultural understandings and ways of being affect your expectations and interpretations of the film?

Go in and check your comments in the blog…I made some.

I have updated the course gradebook. There is a link from the course site (far left, upper right hand corner). The link is: http://webct.mc.maricopa.edu.

Fun Tip…personalize your uniblog by changing it’s look & feel. Log in to the administrative side, go to “Presentation” and you’ll be able to select from a bunch of themes.