MES160-1102
Animation across time & cultures
MES160-1102

Syllabus

TITLE OF COURSE: World History of Animation

COURSE NUMBER & SECTION: MES160-1102, Spring 2026

SCHEDULE: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:30AM – 12:45PM | Online (Synchronous). Please check Brightspace for Zoom link and passcode. 

PROFESSOR: Anna Pinkas | apinkas@bmcc.cuny.edu | Office hours: Mondays, 9AM -10AM, S-608 (in-person) | Mondays, 3:30PM – 5:30PM (Zoom, see link on Brightspace) (Feel free to email Prof Pinkas in advance if you would like to reserve a slot or if you would like to find an alternate day/time to speak). 

CREDITS: 3 | CLASS HRS: 3 BASIC SKILLS: Pass ESL54 or ENG 88/ Pass ACR 94 or writing Index 55+ | PRE AND CO-REQUISITES: None

DESCRIPTION: World History of Animation introduces students to seminal works of animation across time and cultures. The course discusses the evolution of the art form through the lens of technical innovations, socio-political contexts, and aesthetic movements. Students will study works ranging from large productions to independent and experimental shorts, and the influence of different international productions on one another, including Asian and European works and creators. 

COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES :

Description Measurement
1. Identify vocabulary used in the field of animation, such as frame rate, storyboarding, concept art, celluloid, stop motion, CGI, rendering etc. Informal Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation
2. Recognize how technical innovations have changed the aesthetic, financial considerations, and distribution of animated works. Informal Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation
3. Differentiate animation genres, techniques and modes of production of different eras and nations. Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation
4. Compare and contrast the visual style, target audience and intent of animated works across time and cultures. Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation
5. Identify issues of difference among animators/studios and the ways difference has affected their animated works. Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation

GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES

Description Measurement
Communication Skills – Students will write, read, listen and speak critically and effectively. Student behaviors include being able to: Express ideas clearly in written form; Employ critical reading skills to analyze written material; Exhibit active listening skills; Give an effective oral presentation. Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation
Arts & Humanities- Students will be able to develop knowledge and understanding of the arts and literature through critiques of works of art, music, theatre and literature. Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation
Information & Technology Literacy – Students will collect, evaluate and interpret information and effectively use information technologies. Student behaviors include being able to: Conduct research using appropriate research strategies; Make effective use of technology. Using the OER website, Zoom and Brightspace
Values- Students will be able to make informed choices based on an understanding of personal values, human diversity, multicultural awareness and social responsibility. Classroom Speaking and Writing Exercises, Quizzes, Final Presentation

REQUIRED TEXT: This is an OER/ZTC (Open Educational Resources/Zero Textbook Course) course. Free class materials (including films, readings etc.) are available at https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/mes160-s26/

OTHER RESOURCES:  The films on this syllabus are available for free on KANOPY Streaming Videos and/or online. Please follow these instructions to login to KANOPY (you must use your BMCC ID and password to gain access through this URL: https://bmcccuny.kanopy.com). Students must also use Open Lab & Brightspace to access other course content and grading

USE OF TECHNOLOGY: Students will use Brightspace to submit their graded work. T Faculty will upload grades and comments there too, along with any other course material they see fit. Students will need to login to OpenLab and Brightspace regularly. If you do not have (or cannot remember) your id and password for both/either, contact the BMCC helpdesk right away: 212-220-8379 helpdesk@bmcc.cuny.edu ; RoomS141 (199 Chambers Street). You may also rest your password by going to https://cunyportal.cuny.edu/ and clicking on “Account & Password Reset”. All Students are required to use their full BMCC email address when signing into the computers, Wi-Fi, BMCC Portal and other BMCC IT Services requiring authentication. (For example, John Doe would now sign in as john.doe@stu.bmcc.cuny.edu)

TUTORING: Take advantage of BMCC’s one-on-one tutoring services (free!) (available online and in-person). Visit https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/students/lrc/ for more information.

EMAIL ETIQUETTE: Please email Professor Pinkas at: apinkas@bmcc.cuny.edu. Practice professional writing (i.e: Start your email with “Dear Professor Pinkas”, end with “Best” and your full name), and put your class and section name in the subject line of the email. 

POLICY ON THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI: In this course, students may use generative AI applications for the creation of text or media for specific assignments, only as directed by the instructor (see below). 

LATENESS AND CLASS BEHAVIOR: Classes begin promptly at the time indicated in the Schedule of Classes. Joining a lecture more than fifteen minutes after the scheduled starting time constitutes lateness and will incur participation deductions. Good classroom citizenship is career professionalism training and must be mastered in this course. Please turn your camera on and respond to prompts. Any behavior deemed disruptive by the Professor, including but not limited to: verbal or written threats, aggressiveness, engaging in non-classwork activities, and in any other way distracting other students from paying attention to their learning experience will be dealt with by asking the disruptive student to leave the classroom. Further action may be taken when necessary.

ATTENDANCE: In case of an absence, email the Professor right away to explain, and attend the next Office Hour with any questions. In the case of a sickness or emergency that would result in several absences, email the Professor with an explanation, and consult with them and your Academic Advisor to determine if you should withdraw from the course. 

GRADING: Grading is based on successful completion of the following assignments and class participation. Assignments must be handed in on time. Points will be deducted for work that is handed in late. There is a maximum allowance of 3 late assignments for the semester. Students cannot resubmit an already graded assignment. No extra credit options are offered for this section. 

  • Syllabus Quiz – 5%: This quiz ensures that students have thoroughly read the syllabus and that they understand the course requirements. Students must get 100% (unlimited tries and time) to pass the class, and it must be taken before the 3rd week of the semester on Brightspace.
  • Unit Quizzes – 20%: Students will complete three multiple-choice, timed (20minutes) quizzes on the course content (covering materials viewed during and outside of class) on Brightspace.
  • In-class writing – 25%: Students will have to write responses to prompts given during class weekly (not listed prior to the session) on Brightspace (100 words x 6). The use of generative AI is not allowed for these assignments.
  • In-class review writing – 15%: On week 7, students will be asked to enter a live discussion on a “surprise” (not revealed on the class website) short film which we will watch in full in class. Each student must actively participate in the discussion and will be called on. Students absent that day will need to complete the review (on a different “surprise”) film, one-on-one with the Professor on Zoom outside of class. The full guidelines and grading rubric can be found here.
  • Final presentation (5-7 mins) – 25%: Each student will give a 7-10 minutes presentation on an animated film or series of their choice (with pre-approval from the Professor) at the end of the semester. Students will need to submit an outline at least 2 weeks prior to their presentation via email (apinkas@bmcc.cuny.edu). the final slides must be submitted on Brightspace. The full guidelines and grading rubric can be found here. The use of generative AI is not allowed for this presentation.
  • Participation – 10%: Overall attendance and active participation over the course of the semester (participation in the in-class discussions, use of mic and camera on Zoom, lateness etc.).

WEEKLY BREAKDOWN (Subject to change) [Note: See “Topics” menu for a list of films and readings assigned each week. Not everything will be shown in class; students are responsible for reviewing ALL listed material]

Week 1 (Tue 1/27 & Thu 1/29) : Course introduction | Definition and techniques

  • Overview of Syllabus and course materials
  • What is animation?
  • Persistence of Vision
  • Frame Rate
  • ASSIGNMENT: Complete the Syllabus Quiz on Brightspace (failure to do so before week 3 will result in 0 points)

Week 2 (Tue 2/3 & Thu 2/5) : Sequential art, optical toys and early animation

No MMP460 on Thursday 2/12 & Tuesday 2/17 (No classes scheduled)

Week 3 (Tue 2/10 & Thu 2/19) : Beginnings of the Animation Industry

  • IN-CLASS WRITING #2 (Brightspace)
  • QUIZ 1  (will cover content from week 1 – 3) (02/10)
  • Émile Cohl
  • Winsor McCay
  • Comics and Early Animators
  • Effects of WW I on the Film Industry
  • Bray Productions and Cel animation
  • Fleischer Brothers
  • Distribution
  • Pat Sullivan and Felix the Cat
  • Advent of Sound
  • Stop motion developments

Thursday 2/19 will be an asynchronous session. Please check your email for instructions. If you do not receive the email, please let me know asap (apinkas@bmcc.cuny.edu)

Week 4 (Tue 2/24 & Thu 2/26) : Animation as Modern Art 

  • Overview of Modern Art
  • Absolute Film
  • Lotte Reininger & the First Animated Feature Film
  • Berthold Bartosch’s “L’Idée” – From Woodcuts to Animation
  • Alexeieff & Parker’s Pinscreen Animation
  • ASSIGNMENT: “The Cameraman’s Revenge” at the bottom of the week’s page (read and watch)

Week 5 (Tue 3/3 & Thu 3/5): Disney – from Mickey Mouse to Bambi

  • IN-CLASS WRITING #3 (Brightspace)
  • Ub Iwerks
  • Move to California
  • Mickey Mouse
  • Silly Symphonies
  • Marketing
  • Reorganization
  • Studio Practices
  • 12 Principles
  • Snow White
  • Features in the 40s
  • ASSIGNMENT: “Snow White” & “Features in the 40’s” at the bottom of the week’s page (read and watch)

Week 6 (Tue 3/10 & Thu 3/12): Fleischer Studio, Warner Bros & MGM 

Week 7 (Tue 3/17 & Thu 3/19) : In-class review assignment + WWII & propaganda

  • IN-CLASS REVIEW WRITING
  • Overview of media control
  • Depiction of the “other” in WWII animation
  • War animation
  • ASSIGNMENT: “Private Snafu” at the bottom of the week’s page (read and watch)

Week 8 (Tue 3/24 & Thu 3/26) : International Development in Post War Animation

  • IN-CLASS WRITING #5 (Brightspace)
  • Overview of the Post War Global Context
  • Great Britain
  • Canada
  • France
  • Japan
  • China
  • Soviet Union (USSR)
  • Czechoslovakia
  • The Zagreb School
  • ASSIGNMENT: REVIEW FOR QUIZ 2 (will cover content from week 4 – 8)

No classes 4/1 – 4/9 (Spring break)

Week 9 (Tue 3/31 & Tue 4/14) : Mid-Century Shifts in American Design

  • QUIZ 2  (will cover content from week 4 – 8) (4/16)
  • Overview of mid-century art & design
  • Background design evolution at Warner Bros. & Disney
  • Disney Strike
  • UPA Studio
  • The Blacklist
  • Storyboard Studio
  • Rise of animated advertising
  • ASSIGNMENT: “Rooty Toot Toot” at the bottom of the week’s page (read and watch)

Week 10 (Thu 4/16 & Tue 4/21): The Rise of Television

  • IN-CLASS WRITING #6 (Brightspace) (4/21)
  • DISCUSSION OF FINAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES AND GRADING RUBRIC
  • Overview of Television’s Rise
  • Puppets in Early Children Programming
  • New Studios Dedicated to TV Animation
  • Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.
  • Educational Programming
  • Product-driven Shows
  • Disney and TV
  • TV Animation for Adults
  • Music-videos
  • Japanese TV Animation
  • ASSIGNMENT: FINAL PRESENTATION THESIS OR OUTLINE. Please review the final presentation guideline and grading rubric and submit a thesis or outline via email (apinkas@bmcc.cuny.edu). The presentation requires the student to pick an animated film or tv show and analyze it. Students will be asked to contextualize the film in terms of cultural movements, and analyze the role of gender, race, class and ethnicity on the work. The presentation should include slides with text, images and video clips. (addresses SLO #2, #3, #4, and #5) (See guidelines and rubrics) (4/28)

Week 11 (Thu 4/23 & Tue 4/28): New audiences, early CGI experiments and gaming

  • Postwar formal experimentation
  • Early CGI experiments
  • Overview of 1960s and 70s youth movement
  • Animated feature films for the youth audience
  • From arcade games to personal consoles
  • Types of games
  • Online gaming
  • Indie games
  • Issues in gaming
  • ASSIGNMENT: START WORKING ON YOUR FINAL PRESENTATION 

Week 12 (Thu 4/30 & Tue 5/5) : Disney Renaissance & the rise of CGI 

  • Disney’s Competition in the US
  • Disney’s Renaissance
  • Overview of Early CGI Technology
  • Pixar
  • Pixar’s competition
  • Disney & CGI
  • Live-Action or Animation?
  • The “Uncanny Valley”
  • ASSIGNMENT: CONTINUE WORKING ON YOUR FINAL PRESENTATION

Week13 (Thu 5/7 & Tue 5/12): Japanese Animation

  • Influence of traditional art
  • Manga and Anime
  • Osamu Tezuka
  • Anime themes and iconography
  • Toei Animation
  • Studio Ghibli
  • Anime and Western audiences
  • REVIEW FOR QUIZ 3
  • ASSIGNMENT: COMPLETE YOUR FINAL PRESENTATION (submit slides on Brightspace)

Week 14 (Thu 5/14 & Tue 5/19): Final Presentations

  • QUIZ 3 (will cover content from week 9 – 13)  (5/14)
  • FINAL PRESENTATIONS

Week 15 (Thu 5/21 & Tue 5/26): Final Presentations

  • FINAL PRESENTATIONS

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