ENGLISH 3270:  FILM & LITERATURE                    MARY MCGLYNN 

“THE 1980s AND THATCHERISM”                         OFFICE:  VC 7-280  

FALL 2021                                                                         OFFICE HOURS: 

MW 2:30-3:45pm                                                           M 4-5; Th10-12 & 2-3; & by appt.

COURSE STRUCTURE:

This course examines British and Irish fiction and films composed both during the Thatcher years and about this time. We will compare visions of Britain that focus on class and those that ignore it or treat it as an antiquated concept; discuss the relationship of Irish culture to British culture; and explore the reconstruction of Britain’s past. We conclude with recent looks back to the early eighties. Throughout, we will think about how the working class body is viewed; when/how emotion is displayed; what role the heritage industry plays in defining ‘the working class;’ and how popular culture, especially music, shapes and is shaped by artistic movements, all while developing a critical vocabulary about visual texts, as well as honing close reading, analytical, and writing skills.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED BY STUDENTS:

• Increased understanding of the basic techniques and styles of cinema and fiction, including development of the ability to interpret meaning in visual and literary texts by paying close attention to genre, detail, and editing
• Increased understanding of the cultural and political implications of film as a medium
• Increased understanding of how cinema and fiction shape and are shaped by cultural and historical events, including British economic and political developments of the 1980s
• Increased confidence in the oral presentation of ideas
• Increased ability to write critical essays employing a strong thesis statement, appropriate textual citations, and contextual and intertextual evidence for their ideas

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

I want to work with you to help you succeed in ENG 3270!

• Attendance is mandatory, though of course there will be ways to make up excused absences. According to department policy, more than four unexcused absences will result in failure. Three or more unexcused absences will negatively affect your final grade, as will chronic lateness. Cell phones should be turned off during class time; please do not text. Do not plan to leave the classroom while class is in session unless you are seriously ill.
• Please plan to be on time and to remain focused on our class. Please come to class having read all materials in advance and prepared to engage in discussion. We will discuss what constitutes good participation in the first two class sessions.
• You will need to be able to log on to your baruchmail, to Blogs@Baruch, and to BlackBoard in order to complete all activities in this class. We will submit assignments via BlackBoard.
• Four papers of increasing length will be assigned. Occasional submission of questions and/or response paragraphs may be required.  All writing should be typed, double-spaced, and proofread. Please include your name, the course and section, my name, and the date of submission.
• Late work will be accepted for one week after the scheduled due date.
• Please use a professional tone and format when emailing me. I will try to respond to all email within 24 hours, weekends excepted. I will return all graded work within two weeks, with a goal of one week.
• I expect us to adhere to standards of courtesy and respect befitting all classroom interactions.

 

GRADING:

Points will be awarded for each assignment as well as for class participation:

Review:             90 points

Scene analysis:    160 points

Paper #1:           160 points

Paper #2:           200 points

 

Oral presentation:              150 points

Participation:                 140 points

(5 points/day+ meeting)

TOTAL:                          900 points

A NOTE ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

I value your intelligence and integrity and am committed to a class that is equitable and fair. Scholastic dishonesty is at odds with these values. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. You are responsible for knowing what constitutes academic dishonesty and for avoiding any instance of it. Failure to do so will result in failure of the course and in being reported to the dean of students. Please read the college policy on academic honesty on the website at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academic_honesty.html.

MATERIALS:

Most films are available via electronic reserve on the library website; those for which the college does not have streaming rights are noted on the schedule with a hashtag.

Written texts have been ordered at Baruch’s Barnes and Noble; you may of course obtain them elsewhere (thriftbooks!), but please allow time for delivery of items. You should plan to have each novel in hand a week before we begin discussing it. I do not require that you use the same edition as I have ordered, but I do recommend it, and you’ll need to figure out pagination to keep up with class discussion as well as cite your edition in any written work you submit.

Any text with an asterisk will be available via .pdf; please bring a printed copy to class. You MUST have texts ready on the days they are assigned, so I recommend placing all orders immediately and ensuring you have necessary subscriptions for any streaming services you use. Electronic editions of printed texts are discouraged; reading or accessing on phones during class is not permitted.