E-versions of papers

If you turned in the e-version of your paper, you should have received an acknowledgment message from me.  If you didn't receive one, I didn't receive your paper.

Thanks to all who submitted papers, especially to those of you who, after our brief class discussion of email etiquette, took the time to write a courteous message when you sent the paper.

Extended office hours

My usual office hours today are from 12-1, but I'll be in the office, 357 Avery, from 10:30 on in case you have any questions about the midterm or the paper. You can also email me (campbelld@wsu.edu) or call (335-4831).

Blog posts and comments

In case you're wondering how the blog posts and your comments on others' blogs are recorded: each blog post counts as 2 points and each week of comments (regardless of the number) as 1 point, so each week of blog post and comments is worth 3 points of a possible total of 30 points.  As I've mentioned to some of you in passing, there is an optional blog post and comment opportunity on 4/21, at the end of the semester, to make up any points that you may have missed.

Paper 1 and various items

For those of you who want to pick up your close analysis papers and Quiz 2, I'm in Avery 357 and will be here until about 1:15. I'll be back in the office from 2:50 to 3:30.

Remember you do NOT need to write Paper 1 based on the close analysis, although you can do that if you want to. Your paper should focus on one of the films we've seen (in whole or in part) or a closely related film from the period; please ask me if you're not sure.

As I mentioned in class yesterday, the midterm will be next Tuesday, and the paper is due on Wednesday. If you would like to turn in a paper version, it must be turned in at the beginning of class. Everyone must turn in an electronic version (sent as an attachment), and that is due to me by email by 9 p.m.

Chapter 7 in Corrigan has information about manuscript format and citing sources. You don't need to use secondary sources for this paper, but consult Corrigan if you do. Page 177 has the information that all of you will need: citing material from a DVD or videotape.

Midterm, blog posts, absences

The midterm for this class will be held on February 23, as your syllabus indicates.  The study guide will be available by Friday night at this link. Please note that your class notes and your books will be your best guide; the study guide is simply a reminder of what should already be in your notes.

Blog posts are due as usual tomorrow night by 9 p.m. You should comment on a classmate's blog by then, too. 

If you are not sure how many absences you've accrued thus far, please ask me.  Some of you are at or are approaching the 4-absence limit, after which your grade will drop.

Books on Pre-Code Film

The books I mentioned in class this week are these:

Thomas Doherty, Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema, 1930-1934

Lea Jacobs, The Wages of Sin: Censorship and the Fallen Woman Film, 1928-1942

You can get these through Summit.  We also have the following book on pre-Code films  at the library:

Mick LaSalle, Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood
 

Collections of the films we've seen are available on reserve and others are available here and here  and here in the library.

Also, I forgot to mention in class that we will be having a quiz very soon.

Scarface

In class today, we talked about the symbolism associated with the murders that Tony commits.  Here's a rendition of the music that he whistles before several of them (Sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor).

For a rendition that's closer in time to the 1920s, here's one from the great Italian opera star Enrico Caruso, who was hugely popular in the U.S. as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeBpKNRpKZQ. The music we heard starts at about 2:11.