What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Essays, short writing assignments, notes, outlines.Assessment
Learner progress will be assessed through class participation and the improvement of essay quality.Class Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Week 1: This class will cover the film elements in depth (mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound) using clips from The Magicians (TV-14), Avengers: Age of Ultron, and X-Men: Apocalypse. We will then discuss how these elements are used specifically in the superhero/action genre. Students will learn strategies on essay writing, note taking, and film analysis as well. Homework: Watch Avengers: Infinity War and take notes. Notes will be turned in. Week 2: This class will cover how each film element was used in Avengers: Infinity War. Students will asked what they noticed for each film element while they were watching and taking notes. The expectations for the first essay will be covered in this class. Homework: Make an outline, and write rough draft of essay (minimum 5 paragraphs, maximum 3 pages double spaced) on film elements with a primary focus on one specific element Week 3: This class will focus on workshopping the rough drafts, and making sure each essay fulfills every requirement of the assignment. Students will learn to differ between critique, summary, and analysis. By looking at outlines and clips, students will learn to focus solely on analyzing and enhance their critical thinking skills. Homework: Turn in final draft Week 4: Each character has a specific set of beliefs/morals that drive his/her actions. The second essay will focus on these ethical beliefs and what causes and effects spawned from these clashing views, and this class will teach students how to incorporate the use of film elements to show this display of characters and their different moral codes. Homework: Write essay (5 paragraphs minimum, 3 pages maximum) about the morals of a specific character, how their actions affected others, and how certain film elements were used to show the positives and negatives of each action/ideology Week 5: This class will shift into discussing Avengers: Endgame. We will discuss previous films and things that have related directly up to Avengers: Endgame. We have followed certain characters for multiple films and are following multiple stories at once with an overarching story in Endgame. How has the MCU maintained continuity? Homework: Watch any other MCU movie of choice that came out before Infinity War (this can include any of the previous Avengers films, or any stand alone film). Take notes on how the characters were affected and what conflicts they dealt with before the Infinity Saga. Notes will be turned in. Week 6: Students will reveal what films they chose to watch, and we will look through various clips together and discuss the different relationships/ongoing conflicts that would influence the storyline of Endgame. Considering the devastation of what happened in Infinity War, how would each character deal with these events? Homework: Watch Avengers: Endgame and take notes. Write 2-3 paragraphs on how one film element was used in the film (a different one than before). Week 7: This class will cover the significant details in Endgame including close attention to the film elements as well as character development. The details of the next essay will be given. Homework: Students will write an essay focusing on all of the film elements in Avengers: Endgame with attention drawn to how each character has processed his/her grief. Week 8: This class will wrap up the course. We will discuss the immersion aspect of films and various forms of media. Can Infinity War and Endgame truly be a stand alone saga? Or is the character development across every movie significant to the immersion of the 2 films? Homework: None
Learning Goals
Students will learn the film elements, how to analyze films, and how to write film analyses. They will also learn about character development and immersion.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Movies to be watched are all PG13 and clips will be shown from other films/TV shows (see above). The Magicians clip shows a conversation in the POV of a deaf character - the show is TV-14. Aside from the first class, all other clips are from other Marvel films (X-Men and MCU films).
Supply List
Students will need access to Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and one other MCU film in the series
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from Syracuse University
Students tend to be more engaged when they have an actual interest in the content; I personally found that learning how to write well was easier when it involved topics I enjoyed rather than being forced to read books I found outdated and boring in high school. When I joined Outschool, I wanted to teach writing while also focusing on subjects that I am passionate about, and that students may be passionate about as well. While earning a degree in English, I learned how to write quality essays on numerous topics including film studies, which is a part of English that is both interesting and engaging; learning how to write film analyses truly enhances one's critical thinking skills. As a teacher, I like to create courses that are both challenging and fun.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$105
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Completed by 26 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-10 learners per class