Nicholas County High School

2015-2016

Music and Films COURSE SYLLABUS

GENERAL INFORMATION
Instructor: Brandon Dittgen
Email: brandon.dittgen@nicholas.kyschools.us
Phone: 859-289-3780 ex.117
Classroom: r.204
Office: r405 (band room)
Class time: Period 1 8:00-8:54
Period 2 8:58-9:49

COURSE DISCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

This course serves as a fine-arts and humanities elective course. This is a privilege
elective course offering for high school students to earn a fine-arts credit through
applicable, relatable (and hopefully enjoyable) exposure to music and film.

This course is organized around three central goals:

 to explore the diverse relationships between the humanities: via music and image
in film.
 to understand examine the craft of music creation, and film design, --particularly
in the interactions between music, sound effects, and dialogue
 to study the historical reasons why composers/directors have used different
styles of music in their film scores.

The class will be taught via lecture, class discussion, music listening exercises, and
viewing films.

REQUIRED MATERIALS
All students will need:
1x folder
1x spiral bound notebook (film viewing journal)
Writing utensil
CLASSROOM RULES AND POLOCIY
 All students are required to exhibit the highest caliber of behavior and diligence in their
work.
 Respect given to teacher, peers, and self is vital.
 Horseplay, off-task behavior, sleeping, and tardiness are not tolerated.
 Electronic devices for personal communication, music and/or entertainment are not
allowed to be used in the classroom at any time.
 Follow all rules from the student handbook will be enforced.

GRADING
Performance in this course will be accessed with a letter grade, based on the following
weighting of assignments:

Test/Quizzes 20%
Film Viewing Journal 35% (due weekly)
Class Preparation and Participation 45%

NCMHS Grading Scale - A = 90 -100 B= 80-89 C=70-79 D=60-69 F= below 60 I = Incomplete

TEST/QUIZES
Test and quizzes will be assigned throughout the course. Subject matter will typically
assess Industry Vocabulary, Techniques, and Terminology associated with each unit.
Test and Quizzes collectively account for 20% of your grade.

JOURNALS
All students will keep a viewing/listening journal. Journal entries will be assigned
based on topics and screenings. Entries will typically be reflections or reviews of films
and music, and class-discussion topics. Journals will be collected weekly, or at the end
of a screening and account for 35% of your total grade.

CLASS PREPERATION AND PARTICIPATION

This includes having class materials; participating in informal writing assignments
and/or worksheets, and appropriately participating in class discussions.
This assessment additionally includes following all classroom rules and policies and
demonstrating proper of film viewing etiquette.
Falling asleep at any time will result in an immediate ” 0 “ for the day.
In short: “Do you have what you need and are you doing what you need to be doing?”
Class Preparation and Participation accounts for 45% of your grade.
LISTENING AND VIEWING ETIQUETTE
We will spend a good amount of class time listening to music, and viewing film.
(movies, cinematography, ect) Students are NOT permitted to talk, sleep or make any
disruptions during class screenings.
Students will be able to share their thoughts, questions and input on course topics when
we hold class discussions and personal reflection after most screenings.

***INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT DISCLAIMER

Some of the films we will study contain adult-material (inappropriate language,
violence, sexual situations, mild nudity, drug use, ect.) Some films also deal with
sensitive issues including that of race and gender in ways that are no longer socially
acceptable. If students or parents are not comfortable viewing such material, please
notify the instructor and accommodations will be made.
An “R” rating permission slip will be issued at the start of the course. Permission slips
must be signed and returned for any student to participate in viewing any films with an
“R” rating.

*Please note that including a particular film in this course material, Nicholas County Schools,
nor Mr. Dittgen in any way endorses the content or themes therein.
All films will be viewed and approached from a critical-academic perspective. Films have been
selected based solely on their historical and artistic significance.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
As posted in the NCHS Student handbook.

SUGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE

For most students, this will not be a “difficult”, course. Participating, and keeping up
with your viewing journal is the key to guaranteed success. Likewise, due to the
chronological nature of our course material, (music, movies) it is in all students’ best
interest to maintain good attendance.
Unit 1: Industry Vocabulary, Techniques, and Terminology

Week 1a:

 The Humanities: what are the Humanities, how do they fit into the human
experience?
 Sound: How we hear. The types of Listening.
 Elements of Music: Tempo, Pitch, Meter, Melody, Harmony, Timbre, Style

Week 2a:

 Elements of Art: shape, form, value, line, color, space, texture

 Elements of Film: Mise-en-scène, Cinematography, Editing, Sound

Week 3a:
 Early History of film, pre film roots
o (Wagner Opera, the “theatre experience”)
 Camille Saint Saens and Film d’art
 Silent Films and Early Hollywood
 Charlie Chaplin and the musical comedy

Unit 2: The Golden Age of Hollywood Film and Music

Week 4a-7a
 The studio system
 Practicalities
 Filmic Leitmotif
 Horror and Sophistication
 Film noir and the music of psychological drama

Possible screenings
The Sea Hawk.1924
King Kong.1933
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.1939
The Wizard of Oz.1939
Gone with the Wind.1939
Stagecoach.1939 (scenes from)
Casablanca.1942 (scenes from)
North-by-Northwest.1959 (scenes from)
Ben-Hur.1959 (scenes from)
Lawrence of Arabia.1962 (scenes from)

Week 8a-9a Animation in the Classical Age

 Cartoon Music and production. -- Synching music and film.
 Walt Disney and the animated musical
 Warner Bros and MGM: comic shorts

Possible Screenings
Looney Tunes/Merry Melodies.1930-1969
The Three Little Pigs.1933
The Concert Band.1935
Fantasia.1940 (scenes from)
Mary Poppins.1964 (scenes from)
Bed knobs and Broomsticks.1971 (scenes from)

Week 1b-3b Science Fiction and Horror

Twilight Zone.1959
The Angry Red Planet.1959
Psycho.1960 R
Night of the Living Dead.1968
Planet of the Apes.1968 *soundtrack listening assignment
Star Trek.1979
Jaws.1975

Unit 3: Pop Music Influence and Cultural Style

Week 4bBrief History of “Western” Music

 Modern adaptations of older music
2001:Space Odyssey
Mad Max: Fury Road R

Week 5b-9b Telling History through Song

Possible Screenings
Anatomy of a Murder.1959
American Graffiti.1973
Grease.1978
Good Morning Vietnam.1987 R (scenes from)
Forrest Gump.1994
This is Spinal Tap.1984 R (scenes from)
The Blues Brothers.1980 R (scenes from)
China Town.1974 R (scenes from)
TopGun.1986
The Great Escape.1963
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Your son or daughter is currently enrolled in Mr. Dittgen’s Music and Films class.
Throughout the school year we watch many films and discuss the role music and fine
arts help convey emotions, story lines, and historic concepts.

Some films will be rated “R”. (Contains adult material; strong language, violence)
Due to the graphic nature of these films, I am requesting a signed parent/guardian
permission slip for students to view these films.
I assure you we will be viewing all material from an artistic perspective. If at any time
you feel these films are not appropriate for your son or daughter, they will not be
obligated to participate and will be provided an alternate assignment during the
screening of these films.
This permission slip must be turned in by the beginning of class on: Friday Aug. 14, ‘15
Thank You for your time,

Brandon Dittgen,
Nicholas County Schools
859-289-3780
Brandon.dittgen@nicholas.kyschools.us

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Syllabus Agreement and R Screening Permission Slip
I have read and agree to adhere to all rules and policies and procedures as stated in
this course syllabus.
In addition, [Please parent initial one:]
-------- [Yes] I give permission for my son/daughter to watch R rated movies in class.
-------- [No] I do not give permission for my son/daughter to watch
R rated movies. Please remove them from class during viewing. (alternate
assignments will be provided accordingly.)

Student's Name: _____________________

Parent's Signature: _____________________