TutorialsThere should be about 20-25 students in each group. You will be arranged into groups of 4-5, and each group will make a presentation on one film. The presentations will take no more than 30 minutes including time for discussion. I will explain this task in the first tutorial.
Gem 1033: Film and Religion Week One
Introduction A/P John Whalen-Bridge
Step One…
There are no prerequisites for this course. The syllabus and handouts will be made available on IVLE to save paper. See the workbin for .pdf readings. You will also receive brief readings, e.g. information on Kalī, sections of Job and the New Testament, excerpts from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, etc. to accompany your weekly viewing.
The syllabus, continued
Lectures are Wed. 10-12 and screenings on the same day from 6-9pm. Screenings are optional. Course policies: plagiarism, missing class and tutorials, late paper submission, format.
Religion and Controversy
R and C are “good friends”—we see them together all the time. Controversial films and banned films in this class. Taking the course implies a willingness to discuss the films, investigate why they are controversial, & debate problematic representations.
How to Discuss Religion?
Respect and Piety are not the same thing. We must distinguish the practice of religion and the study of religion. This does not mean we never discuss “faith,” but it is never appropriate in a classroom to argue from faith, and it is polite to not speak in a way that presumes everyone shares your private views.
Assessment
Attendance, participation, presentation = 20pts. Tutorial attendance and participation = 10 One group presentation = 10 Midterm = 25 (multiple choice + essay) Multiple choice = 15 Essay question = 10 Essay = 20 (1000 words not including notes, biblio) Final Exam = 35 Multiple choice = 25 Essay question = 10
Tutorials
There should be about 20-25 students in each group. You will be arranged into groups of 4-5, and each group will make a presentation on one film. The presentations will take no more than 30 minutes including time for discussion. I will explain this task in the first tutorial.
Essay
Essays will be discussed in more detail next class. Always keep copies of your work. Save as you write. Busted hard drive ≠ good excuse. Make sure you understand university and faculty policies regarding plagiarism. Works containing any plagiarism will fail.
etiquette
Please be back in your seats in 15 minutes when we take a break. Students trickling in are disruptive. Enjoy your break but end it when you should: please give pay attention to the lecture. Please do not indulge in electronic communication (mobile phones, Facebook, reading your email, etc) while in class.
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The Films
The course features ten films, connecting with five “world religions”: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam Some films proselytize, meaning they actively promote a certain religion. Films that I believe have such an agenda have not been included. No films attacking particular religions (e.g., “Jesus Camp”) are included. Just the same, it is NOT required that films be tofu-bland and have no critical element at all.
Devi
A film about an Indian family near (but not in) Calcutta, set in the 19th century. Worship of a maternal goddess figure within the Hindu pantheon (Kali Ma) figures prominently. Screening is tonight, 6pm, LT8. Black-and-white, beautiful music—mainly “diegetic,” e.g. someone singing IN the film. More info tonight at screening. Worksheet.
Film screenings
I’ll see you tonight in the Library Theatrette #1 tonight for the screening of Devi. It is not mandatory that you attend the library screening if you can see the film on your own. I will hand out a question sheet at the beginning of screenings. If you do not attend the screening, please get the sheet from a friend.
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