Final Exam

I wanted to give you an idea of what to expect in regards to the Final Exam.

I just wanted to give you an idea of what to expect on the Final Exam.

The Final Exam will be a combination of True/False, Multiple Answer, Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-blank(s), and Matching questions.

I'm still in the process of creating the exam.  However, I expect it to be between 60 to 75 questions and you will have somewhere between an hour or an hour and fifteen minutes to take the exam.

To do well on the exam, you will need to know the films well, understand the characteristics and causes leading to the French New Wave, know the directors, the themes of the films, important scenes, characters, dialogue, plots, cinematography, etc.  While your textbook covers many different films, the exam will focus on those films we watched in the class.  

The exam is open book; however, given the time pressure involved, you will not have much time to look for answers.  So be sure to study for the exam and to prepare your own study guide. Given the time limitation, it is much easier to refer to your study guide than to try and search through the text.

Good luck!

Extension for Posting Discussion on My Night at Maud's and Le boucher

Because people had problems obtaining the last two films, I am extending the deadline for posting to both Discussions 5a and 5b until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 3.

La Jetée

FYI, La Jetée is available on YouTube.  Here's the link to Part 1 of 3 (narrated in English).  You can also find it on YouTube in French or with English subtitles, if you prefer. Click here.  And by the way, the entire film is less than a half hour!

Course Feedback

Seeing as we are fast approaching the midpoint of the course, I would like some feedback.  This is the first time I've taught ENG 466 using the French New Wave as a theme.  I also teach it as a survey course, where we look at films from a number of countries and from the beginning of film to more modern films.  By the way, you can re-take this course for credit (if anyone is interested) if you are taking it with a different approach and content.

Okay, so what I'm wondering is the following:

1) Do you like the theme of the French New Wave? What do you think of the films so far?  

2) What about the textbook?

3) Am I giving you enough supplementary material?  

4) A 7 week course is inevitably intense, but is it too much?  too little?

5) I tend to stay out of the discussions, so that people don't end up just trying to respond to me.  I prefer this to be your chance to discuss the film.  However, would you like to see me post more during the discussion?  

6) Would you like to see me post a re-wrap of the film post discussion?

7) Any other suggestions?

I'm always looking for ways to improve the course, so I really appreciate your feedback.

Critical Analysis/Syllabus Update

The link to the Critical Analysis (on the top menu) is now active, so take a look at the assignment.

Based on the nature of the Critical Analysis assignment, I have revised the Syllabus to move the due date for the Critical Analysis to Tuesday October 5th.  Basically, I have shifted things so that you will have watched all of the films and completed your last discussion by Wednesday September 29th.  That will give you almost a full week to write the Critical Analysis.  

Since the Critical Analysis requires you to analyze the assigned films for the course, it only makes sense to make the Critical Analysis due after you have seen all of the films.  In addition, I believe that analyzing the films to write your Critical Analysis will also help you prepare for the Final Exam, which you will take online on Thursday October 7th.  

I will give you more details regarding the Final Exam as it draws closer.  But basically the Final Exam is an objective exam that will consist of True/False, Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-blank(s), and Matching questions that will cover the films and assigned readings.

Breathless

So we move on to the most iconic French New Wave film of them all.  There's a lot to talk about in regards to this film.  I am anxious to read what you have to say.

Les bonnes femmes

I'm very curious to see your responses to Les bonnes femmes.  What did you think of the story? the cinematography? the acting? the directing?  the sound?  Do you think it is nouvelle vague?  How would you compare this film to the previous two?  What do they have in common?  What's different?  Which did you like most? least? Which director were you most impressed with?

Begin posting anytime.