The Films of Spike Lee
The work of Spike Lee encompasses many genres (drama,
musicals, documentary, comedy, action films, and commercials) and addresses
some of the most controversial inter-racial and intra-racial issues of our
time; for these reasons, he has become a defining cultural icon, and his films
have sparked considerable academic interest.
Moreover, Spike Lee’s explanations of his films in their
pre-production and post-production stages allows us to look at
the creative process in a unique way. In
this course then, we shall study Lee’s work not only from the usual critical
and academic perspective but also from Lee’s perspective as an artist. This course
is a seminar, and as such, a high level of student participation is required
Aims of the course:
a) To understand a director’s
corpus from a creative and critical perspective
b) To explore the interplay of
race and class in American culture
c) To understand the problems
confronting minority filmmakers
Learning objectives:
At the end of the course, students
shall be able to:
a) To articulate how Spike Lee
visualizes the world of a film from idea, to script and storyboard, to the film
itself
b) To discuss racial/class issues inside and outside the African-American
community
Required
Texts/Apps:
Do the Right Thing
(Paperback)
by Spike Lee (Author), Lisa Jones
(Author), David Lee (Photographer)
·
Publisher: Fireside
1989
Spike Lee's production notebook. This book is out of print, but copies are available through Amazon and other second-hand sellers for pennies. The College Store will not have it.
APP: Explain Everything
http://www.morriscooke.com/applications-ios/explain-everything-2
This app runs on tablets (Ipads, Android) and on computers (PC and MAC). It’s about 3.00$
Recommended:
Ed. By Mark T. Conard
I will be assigning a few of the essays in this book. It is available as an ‘ebrary’ book through the HWS Library if you do not wish to purchase it.
Oher
articles, videos, etc., will be online.
Grading Criteria:
(preliminary, subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances)
25% Class
Participation- graded and ungraded assignments
50%
Quizzes
20%
Visual Research Essay
5%
Portfolio Review
Class Participation: Typical assignments include: prepared ‘sketch notes’ to be completed In class and uploaded to portfolio on CANVAS, individual and group assignments in class and out of class. Please note that this class may include working in groups and peer reviews.
Quizzes: Weekly quizzes on the assigned readings and films. No make-ups on quizzes.
Visual Research Essay: Video essay due at the end of the term
Portfolio
and Review: Individual review of the portfolio during the final exam period.
See schedule for date and time.
