Information Package
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Program of American Culture and Literature (English)

ACL276

AMERICAN CULTURE AND ANIMATION

Course Code
ACL276
Semester
-
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
4
Course TypeElective Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study-
Semester-
ECTS4
Name of Lecturer(s) -
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Identify eras, subgenres, and characteristics of cartoons and animated films.
  2. Examine cartoons and animated films in the light of their ideological background.
  3. Discuss broader issues of race, gender, politics and other social issues in cartoons and animated films.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme Components
Course DescriptionThis course aims to introduce cartoons and animated films representing issues, such as the family, education and politics in America, and to help students analyze the relationship between animation and social issues.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Introduction to the course and overview of the syllabus
2nd Week The development of animation around the world, the birth of the animation industry in America
3rd Week The Silent era and Disney; The Rise of Disney: Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphonies, Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia
4th Week Disney, American values, Disneyification, Marketing of Disney
5th Week World War II, Disney and Warner Bros propaganda animations
6th Week 1950s, Television and Animation
7th Week Midterm
8th Week Consumerism, TV and animated commercials, stop motion
9th Week Current Trends: Digital animation, 3D Modelling, Pixar, Videogame Animation
10th Week Independent animation
11th Week Animation and issues of gender
12th Week Animation, race and ethnicity
13th Week Animation and health, civil rights, the environment and other topics
14th Week Presentations
Recommended or Required ReadingBendazzi, Giannalberto. Animation: A World History. 3 vols, Routledge, 2015.
McKlein, Norman. 7 Minutes: The Life and Death of the American Animated Cartoon, Verso, 1998.
Pallant, Chris. Demsytifying Disney: A History of Disney Feature Animation, Bloomsbury, 2011.
Peary, Danny and Gerald Peary. The American Animated Cartoon: A Critical Anthology, Bob McLein Media, 2017.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 30
Assignment 1 15
Presentation of Article 1 15
Total(%) 60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 40
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 2 2
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 3 42
Preparation for Final exam 1 10 10
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 10 10
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 2 2
Homework 1 6 6
Article Presentation 1 6 6
Total Work Load120
Total Work Load / 30 (h)4
ECTS Credit of the Course4
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

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