RTA 180-011 Course Outline. Fall 2019 PDF

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RTA 180: Music and Film, FALL 2019

Professor: Dr. Patricia Wheeler Email: [email protected] Office Hours: By Appointment Class Meeting Times and Locations Lecture: Thursday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Room: TRS3176PT Tutorial: Friday 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Room: TRS2166PT

About the Course Course Description: The use of music with film has evolved from the borrowing of nineteenth century classical European repertoire to the creation of original scores that enhance and support the dramatic and subtextual themes of the film. This course explores the relationship between music and film, the functions of film music, how music can support or play against the visual images, how visual images are manipulated in support of the narrative, and how both art forms have developed historically. This is a Lower Level Liberal studies course and has no required pre-requisite. Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes: 1. To develop an understanding of the impact of music in diverse film genres and styles. 2. To improve your ability to analyze sonic parameters in film. 3. To gain skill in interpreting sonic, visual and literary symbolism, codes and metaphors. 4. To improve your academic writing skills. 5. To develop your critical and creative thinking skills. 6. To explore the historical shifts in scoring for film.

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Weekly Outline All course lecture topics and dates are subject to change. Any changes to the schedule will be discussed in class. Week 1 Sept. 5,6

Course Introductions When it works: The Return of the Pink Panther: scene “The Heist” Auteur Richard Wagner and the “Leitmotif” Introduction to music theory and aural analysis. Elements of Film/Film terminology.

Week 2 Ear cramps/Brain cramps: aural analysis part II/Theory part II. Sept. 12,13 Elements of Film/Film terminology part II. Functions of Film Music. The Return of the Pink Panther Listening, Viewing and Readings as Assigned Week 3 The early days of film arts: People, Technology Sept. 19,20 The Great Train Robbery Birth of a Nation Women Filmmakers Suspense Listening, Viewing and Readings as Assigned Week 4 Active Listening Sept. 26,27 The Expressionist Movement: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Auteur Theory: Charlie Chaplin & City Lights Film meets Music: How it’s done. Steamboat Willie, Carl Stalling and the Click Track Readings, Listening and Viewing as Assigned Week 5 Oct. 3,4

QUIZ 1, 15% Listening & Terms (Thurs. Oct. 3) Max Steiner: King Kong Franz Waxman: Bride of Frankenstein Entertainment/Escapism. So? Gone With the Wind Assigned Viewing: Casablanca

Week 6 Oct. 10,11

Discussion of “Casablanca” and Theme Song$. Asia, Europe and South America Auteur Theory II: Orson Welles, Citizen Kane Bernard Herrmann Genre: Film Noir Discussion of Essay Assigned Viewing: Citizen Kane

STUDY WEEK: Oct. 14-18

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Week 7 QUIZ 2, 15% Listening, Terms, Analysis (Thurs. Oct. 24) Oct. 24,25 Jazz parameters, “Jazz” in the movies. A Streetcar Named Desire Genre: The Western Magnificent 7, The Big Country Readings, Listening and Viewing as Assigned: Week 8 Oct. 31 Nov. 1

Touch of Evil: The ultimate Film Noir Genre: the religious epic. Ben Hur Genre: What is it? High Noon, The Homesman Readings, Listening and Viewing as Assigned

Week 9 Nov. 7,8

Auteur Theory III: Alfred Hitchcock, Bernard Herrmann redux The Man Who Knew Too Much, Psycho “Sounds of Commerce” The theme song, the thematic score – Mancini, Morricone Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Days of Wine and Roses, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly Readings, Listening and Viewing as Assigned

Week 10 Nov. 14,15

ESSAY DUE, VIA electronic submission by 11:59pm Friday Nov.15 QUIZ 3, 15% Listening, Terms, Analysis (Thurs. Nov. 14) The “new” permissiveness. Jazzers and Rockers: Easy Rider, The Graduate Hindi Cinema: Mother India “Bollywood”: A.R. Rahman et al Seven Samurai The avant-garde style: Planet of the Apes Readings, Listening and Viewing as Assigned

Week 11 Nov. 21,22

Group Jeopardy Epics & Blockbusters. John Williams Earthquake, The Towering Inferno, Jaws, Star Wars Synthesizers: Halloween, Blade Runner Synthesis: Skyfall Readings, Listening and Viewing as Assigned

Week 12 Nov. 28,29

Film Music analysis self-evaluation Selected Topics and Review

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Lecture-based delivery of core content by the instructor will be supplemented by student participation and discussion. We will spend considerable time listening to and watching examples of film and film music. Please be respectful of each other and your professor and remain silent during these times.

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Music and Film is not an online course. The lecture will not be recreated for those not present in class. Students are required to choose a note-taking partner in class #1 with whom notes and announcements will be shared if class has been missed. The professor will not provide notes to students who are absent from class. You are expected to take responsibility for your own learning, and to utilize the available possibilities for remedying your own situation before asking others to do so for you. *Please use your study/note-taking partner as your first point of reference to acquire information on any classes you miss.* ** OBJECTIONABLE CONTENT – A DISCLAIMER ** Some of the films we will study this semester contain material that some may find offensive. Please note that by including a particular film on this syllabus, the instructor in no way endorses the content or themes therein. Films have been selected based solely on their historical significant use of music. **No photographs or recordings may be taken of audio-visual screenings or lectures as they are copyrighted. Class notes may not be posted or distributed to any individuals who are not enrolled in the course.** Evaluation METHOD AND SCHEDULE OF STUDENT EVALUATION: • • • •

1 x 1200-word Essay (30%) - Due by 11:59pm, Nov. 15/19 via electronic submission 3 x Musical analysis/Film quizzes (45%) – In Week 5, 7, 10 Final Exam - cumulative (25%) During Exam Period Any alterations in essays, quizzes or deadlines will be discussed in class prior to implementation.

QUIZZES: will focus on core musical understanding and aural analysis skills, as well as filmic material presented in class and through your assigned reading. It may cover any material presented prior to the day of the quiz. The quiz will be short answer, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank. Essay/long-answer questions will not be required for the Quizzes. No written notes, cell phones, or electronic devices are permitted to be in sight during quizzes and students will be required to show their student I.D. You may have pens, pencils, and unmarked erasers at your seat. Coats, cellphones, laptops, bags, binders, etc, must be placed at the front of the room during all tests. You will not be permitted to keep these on or beside your chair. *You are advised to leave valuables at home or in a locker if you have any concerns for their security.

ESSAY: This course is focused on aural, visual and thematic analysis in the context of music and film. The essay will demonstrate an understanding of the broader symbols, metaphors, character development and musical framing of specific scenes. MLA style citation format will be used. Proper grammar, spelling, and paragraph formation should be given careful attention. Be sure to pay attention to details such as commas, italics and periods, as marks will be deducted for improper formatting. 4

Those unsure of proper essay writing and grammar are strongly encouraged to visit the Academic Writing Cente or work through any book or programme dedicated to these subjects to facilitate your own success in this course and others in your academic career. This time investment would be very well spent. Specific essay writing questions may be addressed with the professor in person. The essay must be submitted via email, use Microsoft Word, consist of a maximum of 1200 words, double-spaced, and typed using 12-point, Times New Roman font. A detailed essay outline will be discussed in class and posted on D2L under Content - please read this carefully. Your essay will be evaluated as follows: 1. CONCRETE CONTENT (67%) 2. MECHANICS, STYLE, ORGANIZATION (33%) **It is essential that any student unsure of the rules for citation consult with the professor prior to preparing his/her essay, as plagiarism is dealt with seriously under the Ryerson academic code and by your professor. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will result in a minimum penalty of a zero on the assignment. ** Resources USEFUL MATERIALS (for reference or further reading): Books: Buhler, James, et al, editors. Hearing the Movies: Music and Sound in Film History. Second Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015. Chion, Michel. Audio-vision: Sound on Screen. New York: Columbia University Press, 1994. Hickman, Roger. Reel Music: Exploring 100 Years of Music and Film. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2006, 2017 Hubbert, Julie, editor. Celluloid Symphonies: Texts and Contexts in Film Music Histories. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. Scholarly Journals: Music and the Moving Image (via JSTOR) Journal of Film Music (via JSTOR) Screen Sound www.screensoundjournal.org (open access) Online resources: Film Music Notes. http://www.filmmusicnotes.com. Frequently updated blog by Prof. Mark Richards (Florida State University) Internet Movie Database (IMDB). http://www.imdb.com ACCESSING MATERIALS: Students are responsible for accessing films we will look at and discuss, and there are many options available online. iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Vimeo offer easy access to materials via purchase or rental. 5

Student Responsibilities Students are required to choose a note-taking partner in class #1 with whom notes and announcements will be shared if class has been missed. Note that the professor will not provide notes to students who are absent from class. You are expected to take responsibility for your own learning, and to utilize the available possibilities for remedying your own situation before asking others to do so for you. If you do not attend class, the professor should be contacted for clarification of class materials only after assigned readings and borrowed class notes are read: don’t expect the lecture to be recreated for you individually if you don’t show up and don’t do your work. Please use your study buddy as your first point of reference to acquire information on any classes you miss. Students may wish to explore the Learning Success website at www.ryerson.ca/learningsuccess to improve their core academic skills as useful workshops on note taking, essay writing, and learning from textbooks are presented there. MISSED TERM WORK OR EXAMINATIONS: Students are expected to complete all assignments, tests, and exams within the time frames and by the dates indicated in this outline. Late essays will be penalized at a rate of 10% per business day for the first week after the due date, counted from 3:00 pm each day. A grade of “0” will be permanently assigned to missing essays or tests after one week. Exemption or deferral of an assignment, test, or final examination is only permitted for a medical or personal emergency or due to religious observance (request must be received within the first two weeks of the course). The instructor must be notified by e-mail prior to the due date or test/exam date, or as soon as possible after the date, and the appropriate documentation must be submitted. •

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Medical certificates – If a student is going to miss a deadline for an assignment, a test, or an examination because of illness, he/she must submit a medical certificate (see www.ryerson.ca/senate/forms/medical.pdf for the certificate) AND an Academic Consideration form (see http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/senate/forms/academic_consideration_document_sub mission.pdf) within 3 working days of the missed assignment deadline, test or examination. Religious observance – If a student needs accommodation because of religious observance, he/she must submit a formal request to me within the first two weeks of class. http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/senate/forms/academic_consideration_docume nt_submission.pdf) Students with disabilities – In order to facilitate the academic success and access of students with disabilities, these students should register with the Access Centre https://www.ryerson.ca/studentlearningsupport/academic-accommodationsupport/index.html/. Before the first graded work is due, students should also inform me through an “Accommodation Form for Professors” that they are registered with the Access Centre and what accommodations are required.

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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Ryerson University and The Chang School are committed to the principles of academic integrity as outlined in the Student Code of Academic Conduct. Students are strongly encouraged to review the student guide to academic integrity, including penalties for misconduct, on the academic integrity website at www.ryerson.ca/academicintegrity and the Student Code of Academic Conduct at www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies. RYERSON STUDENT EMAIL: All students in full and part-time graduate and undergraduate degree programs and all continuing education students are required to activate and maintain their Ryerson online identity at www.ryerson.ca/accounts in order to regularly access Ryerson's E-mail, RAMSS, my.ryerson.ca portal and learning system, and other systems by which they will receive official University communications. COURSE REPEATS: Senate GPA Policy prevents students from taking a course more than three times. For complete GPA Policy see policy No. 46 at www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies . RYERSON ACADEMIC POLICIES: For more information on Ryerson’s academic policies, visit the Senate website at www.ryerson.ca/senate. Course Management Policy No. 145 Student Code of Academic Conduct No. 60 Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals Policy No. 134 Accommodation of Student Religious Observance Obligations Policy No. 150 Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities Policy No. 159 Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct No. 61 Examination Policy No. 135 Policy on Grading, Promotion, and Academic Standing Policy No. 46 The FACULTY COURSE SURVEY will be administered online. Your feedback both online and at any time throughout the course is encouraged and welcomed. Please do not hesitate to speak with me about any concerns you may have, so that I may assist you. Communicating With Your Professor Email Policy: In any communications with the course director, you must identify yourself by full name as written on the course roster. Appendix (General information for all RTA students) Student Codes of Conduct All students are required to adhere to all relevant University policies, such as the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct (see http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/senate/policies/pol61.pdf ) and the Student Code of Academic Conduct (see http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/senate/policies/pol60.pdf ). Students are expected to conduct themselves ethically in this course and adhere to the university’s code of Academic Integrity.

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The Ryerson University Undergraduate Course Calendar This is your resource for all information relating to academics, including curriculum, course descriptions, significant dates (including last date to drop a course without academic penalty), academic standings, The Student Code of Academic & Non-Academic Conduct, etc. The Ryerson University Undergraduate Course Calendar is available online at http://www.ryerson.ca/undergraduate/calendars/

RTA Website At http://www.ryersonrta.com/you will find information about the curriculum, course outlines, scholarships, student groups, staff & faculty, studios & facilities, etc. Desire to Learn Course Website “D2L” is an online course tool which may include an online discussion board, course documents such as the syllabus and lecture notes, announcements, an area where your grades are posted, etc. If your professor has set up a D2L site for this course, you’ll find it at http://my.ryerson.ca. RTA Online RTA Online is an Organization that contains templates for storyboards, production paperwork, etc., as well as online tutorials for software and equipment used in classes and labs. Find it under ‘Organizations’ on your my.ryerson.ca homepage. Your Ryerson Email Account: The RTA School of Media will often send you important information by email (e.g. scholarship information, reminders of important dates, notification of meetings and/or events, internship opportunities and job postings, etc.). Correspondence from RTA and from your professors will be sent ONLY to your Ryerson email account. It is your obligation to ensure that you activate your account and check it regularly, or have it forwarded to an account you check regularly. Please use only your Ryerson account for sending emails to staff & faculty. See below for accessing your Ryerson email account. Activating Your Ryerson Online Identity To access many of Ryerson's online resources, you must first activate your Ryerson online identity by completing a series of web forms available via http://www.ryerson.ca/accounts/. During the activation process, you will obtain a username and create your initial password. Once activated, your Ryerson online identity provides you with access to: Google Apps Ryerson email The Central Computer Labs including the Library and KHW71 The my.ryerson portal and learning system RAMSS (via https://my.ryerson.ca) Other servers and applications needed Written Assignments: All written assignments are expected to be properly formatted and cited using MLA style (unless otherwise indicated by your professor). Guides and references for using MLA style can be found through the Ryerson University Library as well as the Writing Centre. See http://writingcentre.blog.ryerson.ca/files/2012/05/MLA.pdf English as a Second Language: Ryerson University offers support to students who may require improvement in their overall English language communication skills. Please visit English Language Support at https://www.ryerson.ca/studentlearningsupport/english-language-support/ Accommodation of Student Religious Observance: At the start of the term, students who have religious observance obligations which will lead to absences from campus or academic activities during the semester should download the “Student Declaration of Religious Observance” form from http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/forms/relobservforminstr.pdf. Present a copy of the form to the professor within the first two weeks of classes. The professor and student will then consult to reach an agreement on a reasonable means to address the situation. 8

Learning Success Learning Success (http://www.ryerson.ca/learningsuccess) helps students make the transition to university learning, develop sound learning strategies through tutoring options and course-based study groups, and achieve their academic potential by providing services in both traditional and virtual learning environments. Learning Success offers free workshops for students such as: Note-taking, Managing Tasks and Time, Ways of Learning, Critical Reading, Test Preparation and Test Anxiety, etc. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined by the University as “claiming the words, ideas, artistry, drawings, images or data of another person as if they were your own.” (Student Code of Academic Conduct, Ryerson University, 2006, p. 2). According to the Code, plagiarism includes: i. copying another person’s work (including information found on the Internet and unpublished materials) without appropriate referencing; ii. presenting someone else’s work, opinions or theories as if they are your own; iii. presenting another’s substantial compositional changes to an assignment as your own; iv. working collaboratively without permission of the instructor on an assignment, and then submitting it as if it was created solely by you; or v. submitting the same work, for credit, in two or...