Syllabus - Spring 2011

COURSE NUMBER: FV2101
COURSE NAME: Conceptual Storytelling

COURSE LENGTH: 11 weeks
CONTACT HOURS: 44 hours
CLASSROOM #: ROOM #
INSTRUCTOR: TOM HAMMOND
PHONE: 813-900-4759
EMAIL: thammond1946@yahoo.com
OFFICE HOURS: Before and after class
CREDITS: 3 credits
DATE OF SYLLABUS: DATE 4/08/11


COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is an introduction to storytelling and the components of a story. The goal is to develop storytelling skills and an understanding of story form. Students will examine the elements of plot, character and theme. Students will be presented with the tools, techniques , and understanding of what stories are and how they work. The course will be comprised of reading, writing, discussion and viewing of traditional storytelling as well as the impact of interactive technology. Students will learn to craft, analyze and critique stories in various formats.

PREREQUISITES:


STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

1. Conceive a concept and communicate the idea to an audience.
2. Understand the historical development and various forms of storytelling.
3. Identify plot type and genre.
4. Understand the power of the storyteller’s methods to capture an audience.
5. Identify subtext in storytelling.
6. Identify story elements: set, setting, plot, character and theme.
7. Identify the elements of story design: protagonist, antagonist, traditional three act structure, plot points, etc.
8. Understand and identify threads and motifs in storytelling.
9. Understand the traditional characteristics of drama and comedy.
10. Create vibrant imagery and generate suspense.
11. Develop strategies for creating original stories.
12. Adapt existing works to the motion picture medium.
13. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of interactive media in relation to traditional storytelling.


GRADING OPPORTUNITIES:
Assessment
This is a highly interactive and discussion-oriented course. Students will learn from one another as well as from the instructor, guest lecturers, the text, readings, exercises, presentations weekly assignments and the final project. Professionalism will be put into practice through the students’ promptness, class attendance, willingness to create a forum for shared ideas, quality and creativity of work, and the meeting of deadlines. Specifically, grades will be based on the following criteria:


CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
• Mid-Term Exam 20%
• Final Exam 20%
• Individual Project 20%
• Class Participation & Attendance 20%
• Journal 20%


STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENT:
Appropriate quizzes, tests, and projects will be designed to measure the achievement of the major course achievements as listed above. Instructor will specify such quizzes, tests, and projects on the syllabus to be handed out to the students at the start of the quarter of instruction. In the syllabus, weighted values in percentage will be clearly indicated by the instructor for each category of assessment.

PARTICIAPTION CRITERIA
Excellent
A (93-100)
A- (90-92)
Outstanding participation. The student is actively engaged in every facet of the class. He/She comes to every class session ready to engage in informed discussion bases on a thorough and critical reading of their homework assigned material (if applicable), and he/she maintains complete critical reading notes and brings it to every class session and keeps copies of everything in their journal. The student makes extraordinary contribution to the class through consistently thoughtful, well focused, and original examples. The student works collaboratively with his/her classmates and instructor and the student seeks assistance should he/she need it. The student misses no classes.

Very Good/Good
B+ (87-89)
B (83-86)
B- (80-82)
Good participation. The student is actively engaged in most facets of the class. He/She comes to every class session ready to engage in informed discussion based on a careful reading of the assigned material, and he/she maintains substantial number of critical reading notes and brings it to most class sessions. The student makes a solid contribution to the class through regular relevant and thoughtful comments, questions and examples. The student works collaboratively with his/her classmates and instructor and the student is likely to seek assistance should he/she need it. The student misses the maximum of one class.

Satisfactory
C+ (77-79)
C (73-76)
C- (70-72)
Average participation. The student is actively engaged in some facet of the class. He/She comes to many class sessions ready to engage in informed discussion based on a general reading of the assigned material, including few critical reading notes and brings it to many class sessions. The student makes a contribution to the class through general, incomplete and/or tangential comments. The student, for the most part, works collaboratively with his/her classmates and instructor and is not likely to seek assistance on his/her own. The student misses two class sessions.

Below Average
D (60-64)
Poor participation. The student rarely demonstrated an active engagement in some facets of the class. He/She comes to many class sessions unprepared for informed discussion, and his/her critical reading notes are substantially incomplete and rarely bring it to the class sessions. The student does not collaborate with his/her classmates and instructor and the student is not likely to seek assistance on his/her own or even with direction. The student misses two-three class sessions.
Failure
F (0-59)
Unacceptable participation. The student is not an active member of the class.

Grading Criteria: (i.e. thoroughness, neatness, concept, design, execution, professionalism, presentation, craft, cleanliness, following instructions) applies to all presentations and individual assignments. Handwritten work, no matter how neat you think it is, is not accepted. This is college and all work must be typed. Submission of handwritten work will not even be considered and will receive an F (0) for that assignment.

Grading Scale: A= 93-100, A-= 90-92, B+= 87-89, B= 83-86, B-= 80-82, C+= 77-79, C= 73-76,
C-= 70-72, D+= 65-69, D= 60-64, F= 0-59

CLASSROOM POLICIES:
Late Work: Since this course is dealing with industry success, all projects will be due on the date assigned and at the beginning of all classes. Late work will not be accepted. It will be an F/0. If schedule problems occur, notify the professor before any and all due dates. Putting the “final touches” on your homework/assignments such as stapling, printing out, mounting, cutting or even putting your name on the assignment, etc., prior to the start of class or during break is considered late (therefore an F/0). Regardless of when the work is collected, it should be 100% complete when you walk into class.

Attendance: The Art Institute of Tampa policy requires students to attend a minimum of 82% (36 hours) of scheduled course hours in order to receive a passing grade in a course. Attendance is taken twice throughout the class. If you are just a few minutes late, or walk in when attendance is being taken, it will be marked down as a half (1/2) of absence. Missing two or more classes (or can result in the failing of this class. I repeat: Missing two or more classes can result in the failing of this class (and your other classes as well).

Sleeping in Class: Sleeping in class is not permitted and will not be tolerated. If you are falling, or are a sleep, you will simply be asked to leave the class for the day and will be marked absent for the entire day.

Email: Check often, relay the information to your classmates. Ultimately you are responsible for checking email and following up with the instructor if you not receiving assignments, notes and correspondence for the class via email. It is CRITICAL you start the semester off fresh by clearing out your student account and adjust your forwarding address if necessary. I will correspond with the class quite often via email. Again, check often, relay the information to your classmates and ultimately you are responsible for checking your email. **Let’s exchange information now**

Plagiarism: Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may lead to immediate expulsion from the class and/or college. Plagiarism includes taking words, ideas, or artwork from anyone else and presenting it as your own or not citing properly in accordance with APA Style Guide.

Food/Beverages: Food and non-sealed beverage containers are NOT permitted in any classroom, lab or studio.

Cell Phones and other electronic devices: Cell phone usage is not permitted in any classroom, lab or studio. All cell phones, beepers, games, two-way radios (Nextel), or any other communication device must be turned off before entering the classroom. Leaving the class to take/make a phone call is not permitted unless it is an absolute medical emergency. If you do, you will be marked absent for the entire day. If I see you sending text messages, IMing or playing games or doing anything with any phone or electronic device you will be told to leave the class for the remainder of the day and you will marked absent for the entire day. Leaving devices in silent or vibrate mode is not permitted and text messaging during class is not allowed. In other words, turn all devices completely off and forget you even have them with you for just a few hours. Please take a moment to shut everything off now.

Add/Drop: The first six (6) academic days (not including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) of each quarter are designated as the schedule adjustment period. During this time, students may make registration adjustments (adding, dropping, or changing days/times of courses) without financial penalty.

Holidays: This quarter has one holiday
.

Suggested Text(s):
The Power of Myth – Joseph Campbell & Bill Moyers

Recommended Text(s):
• The Writer’s Journey – Christopher Vogler

Required Supplies & Study Aids:
• Journal/Notebook
• Netflix Subscription (first month is free, $9 per month thereafter - $18 total for this class)

ADA Statement: To meet the needs of our students with disabilities, The Art Institute offers reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Students or applicants who would like to request reasonable accommodations should contact the Student Services Coordinator for the school. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact your instructor and the Dean of Student Affairs in advance of the quarter of study when accommodations are needed.

Saving Work: It is the student’s responsibility to save his or her work to disk. Multiple copies should be saved and verified prior to leaving the classroom. The teacher is in no way responsible for the work saved on hard drives, nor is he/she bound to give an extension on work improperly saved. The hard drives will get purged regularly. Students are expected to back up all work. Loss, theft, computer failure, etc. are not acceptable excuses.

Syllabus Changes: Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Awareness of these changes is the student’s responsibility


CLASS SCHEDULE:

Each student will keep an ongoing Viewing and Reading Journal which can be reviewed by the instructor at any time. Always bring it to class with you. Make entries whenever you do any watch or read anything pertaining to class.

Student Projects as “works in progress” will be viewed and critiqued as parts of them become available.

Various films will be required viewing during the quarter. Their content will be included on the tests.


WEEK 1
Introductions, Student Data, Course Overview/Survey
Theory and Practice:
• History of Storytelling
• Live story performance
Viewing Assignment: “The Killing”
Assignment: Journal

WEEK 2
Theory and Practice
• The Three Act Structure
• Discussion of “The Killing”
Viewing Assignment: “The Graduate”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 3
Theory and Practice:
• Story Types
• Discussion of “The Graduate”
• Viewing Assignment: “High Noon”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 4
Theory and Practice:
• Plot construction
• Discussion of “High Noon”
Viewing Assignment: “The Sting”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 5
Due at Beginning of Class:
Final Project Outline
Theory and Practice:
• Master Plots
• Discussion of “The Sting”
Viewing Assignment: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 6
Mid-Term Exam:
Theory and Practice:
• Character
• Discussion of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Viewing Assignment: “Night of the Living Dead”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 7
Theory and Practice:
• Theme
• Discussion of “Night of the Living Dead”
Viewing Assignment: “A Clockwork Orange”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 8
Theory and Practice:
• Adaptation
• Discussion of “A Clockwork Orange”
Viewing Assignment: “The Trial” (1962)
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 9
Theory and Practice:
• Unconventional and alternate methods
• Discussion of “The Trial”
Viewing Assignment: “Peeping Tom”
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 10
Theory and Practice:
• Interactive Storytelling
• Discussion of “Peeping Tom”
Viewing Assignment: None
Assignment: Journal


WEEK 11:
Final Exam:
Final Critique:
• Presentation of Final Project
• Class evaluation