Course Description

This course takes students to cities around the world, and across time, examining how national cinemas have richly depicted and interpreted urban life during the last hundred years. We will study both screen images as well as the business structure that produces them and the audiences that view them. The urban focus of the course is international, including Tokyo, London and Rome, but the "home" setting is Philadelphia itself.

https://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/general-education/#GenEd_Courses

   

GenEd

This course fulfills your General Education Global/World Society (GG) requirement. Students can also fulfill the GG requirement through study abroad by completing at least three credit hours (C- or better) in an approved summer or semester program with a minimum stay of 28 days, or by completing the Latin American Studies Semester (LASS). For more information on study abroad opportunities at Temple, visit Education Abroad: https://studyabroad.temple.edu/about/temple-students

Course Learning Goals & Related Assessments

	Course Learning Goals	Corresponding Assessments to Measure Goal Achievement
1.	See cinematic representations of cities as both artistic conventions and part of a broader cultural/historical context	Readings and Screenings, Discussion Posts, Essays
2.	Analyze films for the way they depict cities, understanding the urban environment context in films regarding identity, culture, politics, and ideology.	Readings and Screenings, Discussion Posts, Essays
3.	Better understand how cities reflect national and global cultures	Readings and Screenings, Discussion Posts, Essays
4.	Research with basic information literacy to analyze observations of film, media art works, and moving images	Readings and Screenings, Discussion Posts, Essays
5.	Formulate an academic point of view	Readings and Screenings, Discussion Posts, Essays

 

Course Materials

Canvas: Handouts, readings, detailed assignments, and schedule revisions will be posted on Canvas and emails will be sent from Canvas, so please be certain to check your temple.edu account and the course Canvas site frequently.

All readings will be provided to you and there will be weekly required screening that are required.  Some of the screenings will be available through Temple’s Library online.  Others may be available via free (i.e. Plex, Tubi) or through subscription streaming services (i.e. Netflix, Max).  There are some that may only be available through an online rental.  This should be considered your “book cost” and will add up to less than 50.00 over the course of the semester. 

Instructional Methods

This course is asynchronous, meaning that there will not be a set meeting time for the class.  Generally speaking, weekly supplemental material, instructions for weekly discussion boards, video lessons, etc. will be made fully available on Tuesday each week before noon.  Assignments, unless otherwise noted in the individual assignment tabs, will be due on Monday by 5pm.  The exception to this guideline are the responses to the discussion board posts, which are due Friday by 5pm.

Keep in mind the primary readings and screenings for each week are listed on the syllabus and the primary text is available under "Files" on Canvas, so you are free to get started prior to Tuesday at noon if you so choose.

Course Communications

Office hours will be available both through appointment and via “walk-in.”  Meetings can be held via Zoom or in person.  Preference will be given to those who schedule in advance and it is recommended that you email me prior to signing into Zoom to make sure that I am currently available and not assisting another student.

Email me directly if you have any questions at robert.delvecchio@temple.edu.  You should receive a response within 24 hours.  Try to avoid contacting me through a Canvas message as there may be a delay in receiving the communication.

Generally speaking, you should receive grades for your weekly assignments by Monday evening at the latest.  The exception may be for your long form research papers and essays.  I will keep you posted if there is a delay in grading.  

Course Technology Requirements

You will need the following to participate fully in the course:

• A computer and/or tablet with high-speed Internet access. A smartphone alone will not be sufficient.

  Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions.

• A web-enabled video camera and microphone.

• Access to Temple University’s Canvas site and email server.

• Microsoft Office. A free copy is available to you at https://its.temple.edu/office-365

  

This course requires the use of Canvas, including access to materials and assignment submission. Some videos posted via Canvas will require the use of speakers. The instructor may utilize web-conferencing tools to deliver synchronous material. In order to participate in synchronous sessions (should they exist), you should have a computer, a webcam, headphones, and a microphone.

This course requires the use of Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). To access these materials, please log in to TUportal and look for the Microsoft Download link under TUapplications within the My Portal tab.

Students should check their Temple email daily for course updates. 

All students are required to comply with  Temple University’s Computer and Network Security Policies.

 

Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wi-Fi access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage. The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Wifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to purchase discounted internet services and devices for qualified individuals. 

 

On-campus computer labs are available for student use. Here is a list of all of these labs: https://its.temple.edu/computer-labs.

Note that technology resources are available for students, including laptop and battery share. Some software is available for free download on the ITS Academic Support page. Other specialty software may be available for remote access through ITS.

  

Remote Proctoring Statement [if applicable]

Zoom, Proctorio, or a similar proctoring tool may be used to proctor exams and quizzes in this course. These tools verify your identity and record online actions and surroundings. It is the learner’s responsibility to have the necessary government or school-issued ID, a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection, the Google Chrome and Proctorio extension, a webcam/built-in camera and microphone, and system requirements for using Proctorio, Zoom, or a similar proctoring tool.

Statement on the Use of Generative AI in This Course

The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc.) are not permitted in this class; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Temple University’s Academic Honesty policy and Student Conduct Code, since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in a failing grade for the assignment and further possible disciplinary action in accordance with Temple’s policy for Academic Honesty as defined in the previous paragraph.

     

Grading Scale

A Range	B Range	C Range	D Range	F Range
A  93 - 100	B+ 87 - 89.49	C+ 77 - 79.49	D+ 67 - 69.49	F 0 - 59
A- 90 - 92.49	B  83 - 86	C  73 - 76	D  63 - 66
	B- 80 - 82.49	C- 70 - 72.49	D- 60 - 62.49

Standards of Evaluation:

• “A” work is creative, insightful, and even inspiring, while satisfying the more basic requirements found in “C” and “B” work. A = 90 to 100 points (scaled)
• “B” work demonstrates a fuller understanding of the concepts, and shows some above average creativity.  B = 80 to 89 Points
• “C” work fulfills the requirements of the assignment.  C = 70 to 79 Points
• “D” work is partially incomplete, incorrect, and/or demonstrates a significant misunderstanding of the concepts underlying the assignment. D = 60 to 69 Points
• “F” work in incomplete, incoherent and/or plagiarized F = 59 to 0 Points

C- or better is required to fulfill the GenEd area requirement. 

Late Policy

• Less than 24 hours late = 10% reduction
• 24-72 hours late = 25% reduction
• 3-7 days late = 50% reduction
• After 7 days late = automatic zero

These are hard limits and will be adhered to strictly.  It is important to get into the habit of following strict guidelines as you segue from the academic sphere to the professional one.

Weighting Details

• Film Terminology Quiz: 5 points
• Weekly Discussion Board Posts: 25 points
• City Video: 20 Points
• Historical Context Essay: 20 points
• Final Research Paper: 30 points

Total = 100 points

 

Assignment Descriptions

Film Terms Quiz, 5 points: For week 2, you will need to complete a quiz related to cinematic terms you will be introduced to in the week 1 material.

Weekly Discussion Board Post and Response, 25 points: Every week, with the exception of weeks in which one of your primary writing assignments are due, you will need to complete a discussion board prompt based on that week’s reading(s) and screening(s).  The initial post should be 1 strong paragraph – approximately half a page, single spaced.  The posts are due every Monday by 5pm.  For your discussion board posts, you need to relate the reading to the screening to demonstrate that you watched the film and read the material.  Full credit will only be given if you do so.

You will also be required to respond to 2 other student’s discussion board posts.  Those responses should be short – about 1/2 the length of your initial discussion board post.  Those responses are due by the Friday at 5pm after the due date of the initial post due date.

*Note: each student should receive 2 responses to their discussion board post.  Do not respond to a student’s post if they have already received 2 posts.  In the event that you are unable to find a post to respond to because of this stipulation, please email me before providing a response.

The discussion boards will be graded as follows: 2 points will be deducted from your grade for every discussion board post you miss.  2 point will be deducted if you do not complete both replies, for a maximum of 4 points off each week.

City Video, 20 points: Throughout the semester you will see many differing representations of city life from around the world.  Each of you has had experience here in Philadelphia, and most will have experienced other cities, formulating an opinion of them.  With your cellphone or a video camera, film a short, 1 minute video that you feel is emblematic of your experience in the city.  This can be an edited or unedited video, or a collage of still photos.  Then write a 1-2 page paper explaining what this video is representing, relating it to other films and readings to anchor your ideas.

*Note: you are free to connect your video to something that we have yet to screen in class that is listed on the syllabus. 

Upload your video to the platform of your choosing (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and provide the link at the end of your paper.  Upload your paper as a PDF file.  Be sure that your video link does not require a passcode.

Historical Context Essay, 20 points: For this assignment, you are to consider a film from our weekly screenings as an artifact of its time.  What is the film expressing about the culture?  Consider major events at an international, national, and local levels, as well as technological advancements, evolution of the community.  How is the visual expression of the city a reflection of the moment?  What themes are being explored in the narrative. 

The paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include a minimum of 2 academic sources relating to the current events impacting the city at the time. (no Wikipedia). 

Example to consider (cannot be used for the assignment): The film The Best Years of Our Lives was released in 1946 and follows the experience of 3 soldiers returning from World War 2 and attempting to reacclimate themselves to civilian life.  The film was the highest grossing film of the decade and won 8 Academy Awards (1 honorary).  This film was timely, something that resonated with millions who themselves had either served or had family and/or friends who had served in active combat duty.  They dealt with life altering injuries and emotional/mental trauma from their experiences.  It showed them returning to bustling cities that seem unaffected by the war and at times unprepared to welcome people home, and soldiers who didn’t really know what to do with themselves, or found themselves changed in a way that was not compatible with their lives before the war.  The film was timely and important, and audiences responded, connecting on a deep level to the material.

Final Essay, 30 points: For this assignment, you are to complete a full analysis of a film of your choosing, 4-6 pages in length.  You are not only to consider the current events of the moment (similar to the historical assignment) but also to write about the cinematic approach the filmmakers take in expressing their vision of the city.  Consider the overall stylistic approach, and write about things like mise en scène, editing and pace (montage), choice of subject matter and characters.  This should be a full film analysis.

The assignment should have a minimum of 3 academic sources (no Wikipedia), with at least one that analyzes the film’s cinematic technique, and one that discusses the city in which the film takes place – the current events that were/are impacting people at the time.  The third one can be either/or.

*A few notes:

• The film cannot be something that was part of our weekly screenings, but It can be something that was discussed in the book. You are free to use the readings provided in class as a source(s).
• It may be wise to choose a film that you are already familiar with. Good film analysis requires multiple screenings so it would be a good idea to choose something you have already seen. 
• You can include screenshots if you feel it is necessary to fully convey your point, but don’t overdo it. No more than a handful.  Also, the pictures cannot be counted in your page length.  Example: if some pictures take up a full page, that does not count as a page for the purposes of this assignment.  The 4-6 pages are written requirements.  Pictures are supplemental add-ons. 

  

Course Minimum Grade

Although D- is a passing grade, a minimum grade of C- is required in General Education courses and, in many programs, courses required by the major.

For more information, please see Temple University's Academic Policies on Grades and Grading.

General Policies

All Temple University Academic Policies will be upheld.

The General Education Policies and Requirements details program expectations.

   

Attendance and Your Health

With the course being asynchronous, attendance will not be a part of your grade and your participation will be judged based on not only whether you complete your assignment, but by following the instructions to demonstrate that you are completing the weekly requirements.

If you are having health or other issues preventing you from fully engaging with the class and/or completing assignments, it is your responsibility to contact your professor to discuss any necessary accomodations.

 

Incomplete

A student will be eligible for a grade of “Incomplete” only if the student: 1) has completed at least 51% of the work at a passing level, 2) is unable to complete the work for a serious reason beyond their control, and 3) files a signed agreement with the instructor outlining the work to be completed and the time frame in which that work will be completed. The student is responsible for initiating this process and all incomplete forms must be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to the start of study days in that semester.  

Please refer to the following for further details: Temple University’s Incomplete Policy. (Policy #02.10.13). 

  

Withdrawal from the Course

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to meet the deadline for the last day to withdraw from the current semester.

See Temple University's Academic Calendar for withdrawing deadlines and consult the University policy on Withdrawals (Policy # 02.10.14). 

  

Statement on Academic Rights & Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).

   

Academic Honesty

According to the University Student Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct.

 

 

Netiquette and Class Conduct Expectations

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.

Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others' privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others.

If you have an issue with a student's discussion board post or response, whether it is regarding your assignment or someone else, please email your professor regarding the matter and avoid addressing it in the discussion board.  This is to avoid the discussion board devolving into unnecessary argumentation.  

For more information, please visit https://diversity.temple.edu/.

Disability Disclosure Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS), Ritter Annex 100, (215) 204-1280 or 215-204-1786 (TTY) or drs@temple.edu, to make arrangements.  If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are not retroactive. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.

Disability Resources and Services: https://disabilityresources.temple.edu/

Technical Support 

For a listing of technical support services available to Temple University students, see the Tech Support page.

Live Chat or Request Help:  tuhelp.temple.edu.

Phone: 215-204-8000

Email:  help@temple.edu

Website: its.temple.edu

Location: The TECH Center, Room 106

 

Academic and Support Services

Temple University provides a variety of services to support you throughout your studies. Please take a moment to view these by visiting the Academic Support Services page.

The following academic support services are available to students:

• Student Success Center
• University Libraries
• Undergraduate Research Support
• Career Center
• Tuttleman Counseling Services
• Disability Resources and Services

  
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, theTemple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs. 

      

Continuity of Instruction in the Event of Emergency

Students are to register for the TUAlert System to be made aware of University closures due to weather or other emergency situations and follow all additional university-wide emergency instructions. Students can register for this system on the Campus Safety Services website. Students registered for the class will be alerted to any alternate testing procedures and submission of assignment requirements from the instructor via email.

Please note that online classes are generally not affected by campus closures.  

  

Privacy Policy

Please see the links below to become familiar with the privacy policies for each of the following: 

• Temple University
• Canvas Instructure
• Zoom

    

Course Schedule

Key Dates:

https://registrar.temple.edu/academic-calendar

The following dates are for the Fall 2024 16-week semester. For a 7-week semester, please refer to: https://registrar.temple.edu/academic-calendar/2024-2025-academic-calendar

Monday, January 13th: First day of classes

Monday, January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes held)

Monday, January 27: Last day to add or dropLinks to an external site. a Full Term 16-week (1) course

Monday, March 3 - Sunday, March 9: Spring Break (no classes held)

Monday, April 28: Last day to withdrawLinks to an external site., Last day of classes

*Note: the list of readings and screenings here are not exhaustive.  There will be supplemental readings, clips, and videos provided each week.  These are the primary readings and screening that you will have.

Class Schedule

Module	Date	Topics	Readings and Screenings	Assignments
Module 1	01/14	Intro to class and cinematic language
Module 2	01/21	Introduction to Cinema and the Cities	"Cities and Cinema" - Introduction Screenings due: Assorted	Quiz: Cinematic Terminology Discussion Board: Introduction
Module 3	01/28	Berlin: German Expressionism and the Street Film	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 1 Screening: Pandora’s Box (1929) – dir. G.W. Pabst, 133 minutes	Discussion Board 2
Module 4	02/04	The Dystopian Future	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 6 Screening: Metropolis (1927) – dir. Fritz Lang, 153 minutes	Discussion Board 3
Module 5	02/11	End of the silent era - New York	Reading: TBD Screening: The Crowd (1928) – dir. King Vidor, 98 minutes	City Video and Essay
Module 6	02/18	The Dark City and Film Noir - Los Angeles	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 2 Screening: L.A. Confidential (1997) – dir. Curtis Hanson, 138 minutes	Discussion Board 4
Module 7	02/25	Mobility in the City of Love - Paris	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 3 Screening: Cleo 9 to 5 (1962) – dir. Agnes Varda, 90 minutes	Discussion Board 5
Module 8	03/11	Hong Kong: City Film Industry	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 4 Screening: TBD	Discussion Board 6
Module 9	03/18	The City in Ruins - Italy	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 5 Screening: Rome, Open City (1945) – dir. Roberto Rossellini, 105 minutes	Historical Context Essay
Module 10	03/25	The Ghetto Film - Los Angeles	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 7 Screening: Boyz n the Hood (1991) – dir. John Singleton, 112 minutes	Discussion Board 7
Module 11	04/01	The Queer City - San Francisco	"Cities and Cinema" - Chapter 8 Screening: Life and Times of Harvey Milk (1984) – dir. Rob Epstein, 90 minutes	Discussion Board 8
Module 12	04/08	Philadelphia	Reading: TBD Screening: Rocky (1976) – dir. John G. Avildsen, 119 minutes	Discussion Board 9
Module 13	04/15	Philadelphia	Reading: TBD Screening: Philadelphia (1993) – dir. Jonathan Demme, 126 minutes	Discussion Board 10
Module 14	04/22	The migrant experience	Reading: TBD Screening: In America (2002) – dir. Jim Sheridan, 105 minutes	Discussion Board 11

 

 

Back to top