Craig Engstrom, Ph.D.'s Courses and Research
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COM 353: Intercultural Films

COURSE  OUTLINE
Meeting: 01/14/2015-01/30/2015 - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.).

Sample   film  Trailer



About Course


General Description: Interpretation and analysis of intercultural communication concepts and identity politics as represented in critically acclaimed international films. (Also see Course Catalog for description of COM 353: "Special Topics in Communication.")

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Some films include very explicit content, including those of a violent and sexual nature (e.g., nudity, sex, blood, and torture). You will be made aware of these films in advance and provided alternative films to watch if this type of content should violate your personal, religious, political, or philosophical beliefs. However, this is not an ideal situation and many of the movies without explicit content cover uncomfortable topics. So please register only if you are open to watching movies that will make you uncomfortable. 
Course Objectives
  • Understand identity as both construction and representation.
  • Apply communication and intercultural communication theories to the analysis of film. 
  • Critique films through various media theories, becoming active, critical viewers of film.
  • Be aware of the representation of identity politics, such as gender, race, ethnicity, class, and ideology on the screen.
  • Gain knowledge of terms and theory to adequately analyze identity issues of race, class, gender, national origins in film.
  • Have an improved appreciation of independent and global films
  • Develop and apply their own criteria for judging the artistic merits, entertainment value, and ethical implications of the movies that they watch.
  • Write film reviews, documented essays, or film treatments that demonstrate critical analysis, research skills, and creative judgment
  • Understand how to prepare for and participate in panel discussions, providing extemporaneous and impromptu responses.
  • Gain knowledge of a selected number of global films and directors from around the world
  • Understand how identities are often represented as stereotypes in films 
  • Understand how film can dismantle and critique stereotypes, as well as present them 
  • Gain sophistication in analyses of how film genres represent complex issues of racial national and gendered identities together 
  • Learn how other cultures make and understand film experiences 

Readings /Assignments

I am finalizing the reading packet. No textbook is required for this course.  There will be required reading before our first class meeting and each subsequent class meeting (10-15 pages) .
For assignment information, see the course outline (link at top of page).
Reading materials will be made available on Blackboard.

Films (Short-List)

  • Smoke Signals (Canada, U.S.) 
  • Omar (Palestine)
  • Let the Right One In (Sweden)
  • The Band's Visit (Israel)
  • Quinceañera (U.S., in Spanish)
  • Babi Leto (Czech Republic)
  • Waltz with Bashir (Multiple Countries)
  • Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (India)
  • Kavkazskiy Plennik: Prisoner of the Mountains (Russia)
  • The Reluctant Fundamentalist (U.S., U.K., Qatar)
  • The Intouchables (France)
  • Whale Rider (New Zealand)
  • City of God (Brazil)
  • A Separation (Iran)
  • Poetry (South Korea)
  • Lost in Translation (U.S.)

Alternatives (Wish I Could Show)

  • Skin (South Africa)
  • Funny Games (Germany)
  • The Singing Revolution (Estonia)
  • Hedwig and the Angry Inch (U.S.)
  • Persepolis (France)
  • Central Station 
  • American Beauty
  • Do the Right Thing
  • Baran
  • Burnt Money
  • Winter's Bone
  • Gran Torino
  • Salmon Fishing in Yemen
  • West is West
  • Nationale 7
  • East is East (1999, Damien O’Donnell)
  • Bicycle Thieves (1948, Vittorio De Sica)
  • Dirty Pretty Things (2002,Stephen Frears)
  • The Singing Revolution  (2006, James Tusty, Maureen Castle Tusty)
  • The Namesake (2006, Mira Nair)
  • La Misma Luna (2007, Patricia Rigging)
  • Good Bye Lenin! (2003, Wolfgang Becker)
  • Chinaman (2005, Henrik Ruben Genz)
  • Jalla! Jalla! (2000, Josef Faras)
  • Hsi Yen (1993, Ang Lee)
  • Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002, Phillip Noyce)


Resources

  • Submit Tumblr Post​
  • Intercultural Film Series (UK)
  • Intercultural film database
  • International Movie Database (IMDb)
  • Roger Ebert's Reviews
  • How to Write a Film Script Treatment
  • How to Write a Film Review
  • Logline vs. Tagline (also frame your script pitch in terms of movies we watch)


Pedagogy

Methods of Instruction
  • Intensive reading
  • Lecture
  • Class discussion
  • Group and individual activities
Assignments
  • Intensive reading
  • Quizzes or exams
  • Papers
  • Presentations--e.g., speeches or podcasts
  • Group and individual activities

FAQ

Will films be subtitled? Yes, it's the best way to watch films. Hearing the tones and expressions of actors is important. So, for the films that include non-English dialogue, you will be reading subtitles. Dubbing is B.S.
Will there be reading? Yes. This is a college-level course.
Will we be meeting the whole time, from 6:00 to 9:45 p.m.? Yup. Some of the films are over three hours long and, at least on days we watch shorter films, we'll have a double feature.
But what if I miss a class? You'll be watching a make-up film and doing a little extra writing.

Of course, there will be a lot of discussion and I have tentative agreement from a few actors and directors for some Skype calls. I think, ultimately, you will have a lot of fun.

Let's not be strangers.


Consulting

​communication.work

Telephone

618.203.1997

Email

craig.engstrom[at]siu.edu

Site Terms

Read here.
Contacts
  • Home
  • Courses
    • SIUC - Sp 2021 Courses
    • CMST 390/490 - Applied Communication
    • Online/Hybrid Courses >
      • CMST 101: Public Speaking
    • Course Policies (Syllabus) >
      • Writing
    • Courses Archive >
      • COM 213: Public Speaking
      • COM 220: Intro to Org Comm
      • CMST 380 Intro to Leadership and Org Comm
      • CMST 411 - Rhetorical Criticism
      • CMST 480: Biz & Org Comm Cases
      • CMST 493-19: International Films
      • CMST 480: Dynamics of Org Comm (SIUC)
      • CMST 483: Adv. Business & Org Comm
      • CMST 484: Social Media >
        • Sample SoMe Plans
        • Graduate Readings
      • COM 315: Intercultural Comm
      • COM 319: Bus and Prof Comm
      • COM 320: Org Comm
      • COM 321: Case Studies in Org Comm
      • COM 353: Intercultural Films
      • COM 490: Comm Training (Capstone)
    • Common Forms >
      • Students > Share Work
      • Students' Kind Words
      • Group Evaluation
      • Leader Evaluation
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Branding
    • Craig's Video Recommendations
    • Job Hunt Resources
    • Learning Paths >
      • How to Create Vertical Videos in PowerPoint
      • Conflict Seminars: Training Guides
      • Conflict & Negotiation
    • Student Resources >
      • How To Vids
      • Haiku Deck
    • Teaching Resources
    • Resume Resources
    • Public Speaking Resources >
      • Public Speaking Resources
      • Sample Ignite Talks
      • Infographics
    • CMST Projects >
      • My Communication Story
      • Comm Posters
      • CMST Templates
    • SIU Scholarships
  • CV/Research
    • Podcasts >
      • Podcast D.J. Jeffries
      • Podcast Drew Swithin
      • Podcast Kaci Huelsman
      • Do a Podcast!
    • Communication Teacher Article
    • Journals
  • Internships/Jobs
    • CMST Internships for Credit
  • Webinars
    • Past Streams - 2021
  • Contact