4/1/20 Class

CMN 201

4/1/20

Topic: Psycho and Night of the Living Dead

Note: I will be in our class live chat room during our scheduled class for questions/comments/issues

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Zoom Virtual Office Hour 

Tuesdays 1:45-2:45 or by appointment

https://zoom.us/j/7028190433

Meeting ID: 702-819-0433

Class Video: https://youtu.be/mxC2GEdvIBc

--- First class after break

---Chat room/office hours/phone

--- Assignments via email

1.    Alfred Hitchcock

--- Began career in London

--- TV show/thrillers

--- “father of modern horror film”

--- isolation/no place is safe

--- authoritative view of camera

---  46 Films prior to Psycho

--- The Birds 3 years afterwards

2.    Psycho

---  Small budget ($800,000) but commercial success

--- Shower scene (sensors/boycotts)

--- Upset expectations (empathize with thief, twist ending)

--- House as monster (Gothic) and narrator

--- Voyeur (Norman and audience) TV voyeurs

--- Detective story

--- Dark humor: You think I’m fruity”

--- Inspired other directors (John Carpenter Halloween)

--- Water redeems

--- Bird symbolism for female (Crane, eat like a bird)

--- Psychological horror of isolated family unit (domestic seclusion)

--- Mental health

--- Suburbs unsafe (horror next door, not outer space)

--- Importance of car/mobility (Marion buys new car, highway)

--- Doubles: 2 stories (Norman/Marion) 2 identities (Norman, Mom), 2 sisters (Marion/Lila)

--- Norman: No purpose in life of leisure (“hobby should pass time, not fill it”) 

--- Secrets behind closed doors

Night of Living Dead  (also from 1960’s, decade of conflict/fear)

Director George Romero reinvented the zombie

Night of the Living Dead movie link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA5kk8LB7BQ

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Next Class: The Exorcist

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Attendance Question: (please submit vis email with name and class)

Who was my mentor when I was in College?

3/25/20 Class

Class Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miv9g2oIrmM

Topic: Hello and the Rest of the Semester

--- Welcome

--- Video of course content posted during class times

--- Live question/answer period at end of each video via Comments Section in Moodle

--- Contact me via Moodle, email (ruiz@gcc.mass.edu), or phone (413-775-1236 - leave message and I will return your call)

--- Submit assignments via email or Moodle and I will return feedback in the same manner

--- Due dates have flexibility (don’t panic). More on that in next video for your specific class

--- As necessary I will continue to adapt the course to changing circumstances

--- Stay well and safe

Today’s Attendance Question 

Respond to my email at ruiz@gcc.mass.edu with your name, the course name,  and the answer to the following question:

Where did I film the posted video?

Technical Issues

Contact me if you are experiencing technical issues.  

Contact Phone Number: 413-775-1236

If you wish to contact me by phone, call 413-775-1236 (my office phone number) and leave a message; I will return your call ASAP.

Updates: 3/17/20

Hello everyone.  I hope you are your loved ones are well.  Happily, I and my loved ones are just fine.

A few quick updates:

1.   This is Spring Break.  Try to enjoy it and not worry too much about class.

2.   I will start up classes, remotely, next week (which is when we were originally scheduled to return from break) so we have the least amount of disruption to our class schedule.

3.   None of us signed up for online classes. My intent is to try as much as possible to use the Internet to mimic our live classes.

4.   Thus far I am planning on posting videos of myself discussing class material (much like I discuss course material in class), posting written summaries of major points (much like the smartboard notes I post) and posting any useful internet links on Moodle, but I will also duplicate everything on our course blog. 

5.   You can send me assignments/questions/comments through Moodle, the blog, and/or my email (ruiz@gcc.mass.edu). I will also soon provide you with a landline phone number you can use to contact me as well.

6.   I will post on the days and times that class normally meets. My thinking right now is I will ask each of you to answer one brief short answer question about that day’s class for your attendance, but that is just an idea at this point.

7.   If/when we have group work and/or discussion, I will set up a system for easy participation.

8.   My deadlines for assignments have always been flexible.  Continue to follow the dates on the syllabus but if you need/want more time just ask me for an extension.  

9.   I’d appreciate your suggestions and ideas about how to proceed with our classes online so the classes are as successful as possible

Obviously, this semester is unique.  My intent is to be flexible and accommodating so that you can have a rich educational experience.  If you encounter a challenge, do NOT panic. You and I will find a way to work around the challenge.  I want us all (myself included) to finish this semester successfully, with perhaps

a few good stories to share with younger generations in the future.

Please begin to check Moodle/our blog starting next week for our posted classes.  

Don’t hesitate to contact me (I am here to help).  

Take care and stay well.

Lillian

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   Davenport The Pug in Cap and Gown

Transition to Online Class

Hi everyone, 

First, I hope the photo above brings a smile to your face.  That is Biscotti, my pug, last February during her first birthday celebration in my living room.

Second, as I suggested in class, GCC is indeed moving to online instruction after Spring Break. I will be setting up online materials during the break, with more details to follow, but rest assured no one will be penalized for events beyond anyone’s control.  My job is to be as flexible, responsive, and supportive as possible as our class navigates these challenging times.

I have taught at GCC for over 25 years, and one thing I know for certain is GCC students are strong, resourceful, smart, and kind.  We will all get through this together.

I’ll have more updates for you next week, but in the interim, stay safe and well.  

Best,

Lillian

Class Notes: 3/5/20 and 3/12/20