Film Studies

 

Visiting Assistant Professor:  Hamidi; Assistant Professor Martin, director

 

The Major in Film Studies

 

Students electing a film studies major will draw upon the interdisciplinary variety that characterizes the study of moving images?combining theory, criticism, history, and practice in developing the ability to think in filmic terms, and gain an understanding of how film functions as both an art and a social force.

The major consists of a minimum of eleven courses (44 semester hours), at least nine of which must be at the 200 level or above, as follows:

Core courses:

                Courses 101 and 202 (or their equivalents);

                Two courses in national cinemas (list A);

                Two courses in filmmaking and writing for film (list B);

                Two courses in theory and criticism (list C);

Three additional courses drawn from lists A, B, C, or D, or chosen with approval of the student's major adviser.

 

The Minor in Film Studies

 

The minor in film studies consists of at least six courses, including 101, 202 (or their equivalents), and four courses chosen from lists A, B, and C below, with at least one from each list.  At least five courses must be at the 200 level or above.

 

Qualifying Courses for the Major and Minor

 

Different departments at the college regularly add new courses that fall under the different categories of requirements for the Film Studies program, sometimes on a one-time basis.  It is impossible, therefore, to offer in this catalog a complete and exact list of courses that fulfill each requirement.  As such, some courses that will count for the major are likely to be absent from the lists that follow.  Students should consult the Film Studies program for information on whether a particular course offering in another department may count for the film studies major or minor.

 

A.  National cinemas:

Chinese 236; Film Studies 403 (same as French 403), 409 (same as French 409), 493F, 494F (same as Art History 493F, 494F); French 329; Hispanic Studies 309, 319; Italian 317, 416.

 

B.  Filmmaking and writing for film:

Film Studies 222, 321, 362, 391, 392, 393, 394, 410; Theater 238.

 

C.  Theory and criticism:

Film Studies 203, 227 (same as English 227), 252 (same as Philosophy 252), 311 (same as Gender and Women's Studies 313), 360 (same as English 360), 395, 396, 493, 494; Gender and Women's Studies 356, 419; Slavic Studies 288.

 

D.  Additional courses:

Freshman Seminars 138, 149; Film Studies 204 (same as American Studies 204), 211 (same as Philosophy 211), 295, 296, 497-498; Anthropology 300, 305; Art 200, 201, 207, 208, 310; Art History 240, 356 (same as Anthropology 356); Dance 238; English 221, 232, 304, 322; Gender and Women's Studies 212; Philosophy 251 (same as Art History 230), 263; Theater 104, 226, 231, 301.

Courses

 

FILM STUDIES  101  INTRODUCTION TO FILM STUDY:  HOW TO READ A FILM  An introduction to the concepts and methodology of film study as an academic discipline, to the development of film language and narrative conventions, connections between ideology and style, and categories of film form.  Examples will be chosen from aesthetically and historically significant films.  Required screening sessions.

Enrollment limited to 30 students.  This course satisfies General Education Area 4.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  202  STUDIES IN FILM CULTURE  Critical studies of the cultures of moving picture production and reception.  Topics include celebrity and star studies, subculture and fan studies, the political economy of moving image production, theories of spectatorship, and the cultural consequences of various moving image technologies.  Required screening sessions.

                Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors; and to freshmen with permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 30 students.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  203  RACE AND ETHNICITY IN AMERICAN FILM  The ideological and theoretical issues in the representation of racial and ethnic minorities as the cultural Other in mainstream American film; the attempts of independent filmmakers of color to intervene in this process and define their own cultural identities.

                Prerequisite:  At least one course in Film Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, or American Studies.  Open to juniors and seniors.  Enrollment limited to 25 students.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  204  AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM  An exploration of the historical and cultural significance of African American film, challenging students to construct working definitions of African American film and to grapple with issues concerning the representation of people of African descent in the American film industry from the silent era until present-day.  Students will investigate the impact of historical events such as slavery, Jim Crow, and the Great Depression on the establishment of the separate and unequal African American film industry.  Students will also consider the impact of key filmic technological advancements on African American involvement in the American film industry.  This is the same course as American Studies 204.

                Enrollment limited to 30 students.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  211  JAPANESE PHILOSOPHY IN FILM, LITERATURE, AND SCHOLARLY TEXT  This is the same course as Philosophy 211.  Refer to the Philosophy listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  216  AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY:  THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE MEDIA  This is the same course as Arts and Technology 216.  Refer to the Arts and Technology listing under College Courses for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  222  FUNDAMENTALS OF MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION  A hands-on introduction to expression in the language of moving pictures.  By designing and executing a series of short, creative production projects, students will explore how moving image techniques are used to structure meaning.  Emphasis on narrative form.  Topics include composition, videography, sound, continuity editing, montage, and dramatic structure.

Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  Preference will be given to students who have completed Course 101 or equivalent.  Meets twice weekly for up to three hours.  Students seeking to enroll in this class should notify the instructor of their interest prior to pre-registration.   Enrollment limited to 14 students.  This course satisfies General Education Area 5.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  227  THE FILMS OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK  This is the same course as English 227.  Refer to the English listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  238  SCREENWRITING  This is the same course as Theater 238.  Refer to the Theater listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  243  RACE AND AMERICAN CINEMA  This is the same course as English 243.  Refer to the English listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  252  PHILOSOPHY AND FILM  This is the same course as Philosophy 252.  Refer to the Philosophy listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  255  WEIMAR FILM AND ITS LEGACY  This is the same course as German Studies 255.  Refer to the German Studies listing for a course description.

 

FILM  STUDIES  256  ART, ENTERTAINMENT, AND PROPAGANDA:  GERMAN CULTURE THROUGH FILM  This is the same course as German Studies 256.  Refer to the German Studies listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  288  THEORY OF FILM  This is the same course as Slavic Studies 288.  Refer to the Slavic Studies listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  311  REPRESENTING GENDER  An examination of the construction of gender in mainstream narrative film in the light of contemporary film theory and criticism.  This course investigates representations of gender and the body by looking at what are commonly deemed "masculine genres" - horror and action films - and rethinking these films when violence and agency are enacted by female characters.  This is the same course as Gender and Women's Studies 313.

Prerequisite:  Course 101 or permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 16 students.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  317  HEROES AND HEROINES IN JAPANESE LITERATURE AND FILM  This is the same course as East Asian Studies/Japanese 317.  Refer to the Japanese listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  321  DOCUMENTARY THEORY AND PRODUCTION  How moving pictures can be used to explore, discuss, and creatively represent reality - and the issues of "truth," ethics, and social power that arise from these practices - from the standpoint of both producers and critical viewers.  Documentary production techniques, reading, and discussion of scholarly literature in documentary history, theory, and criticism.  Short film projects and analytical papers and presentations are required.  Required screening sessions.

Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  Preference will be given to students who have completed Course 101 or equivalent.  Meets twice weekly for up to three hours.  Students seeking to enroll in this class should notify the instructor of their interest prior to pre-registration.  Enrollment limited to 14 students.  This course satisfies General Education Area 5.  Staff

 

Film Studies  360  Race and Documentary film  This is the same course as English 360.  Refer to the English listing for a description.

 

FILM STUDIES  362  EXPERIMENTAL FILM:  HISTORY AND PRACTICE  An introduction to the history of American experimental film, selected major figures and movements.  In addition to viewing, discussing and writing about these films, students will produce their own experimental pieces in a series of short projects using Super-8 and 16mm film for acquisition, and Final Cut Pro for editing.  As such, the course also serves as a brief introduction to photo-chemical filmmaking.

Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  Preference will be given to students who have completed Course 222.  Students seeking to enroll in this class should notify the instructor of their interest prior to pre-registration.  Enrollment limited to 14 students.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  395, 396  SPECIAL TOPICS IN FILM STUDIES

 

Enrollment limited to 14 students.

 

FILM STUDIES  395A, 396A  ACTION, SPEED AND METROPOLIS

Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 16 students.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  395C, 396C  Critical Studies in Advertising and Public Relations  An inquiry into the larger context of advertisements and public relations, beyond simply the promotion of sales and corporate image.  What kinds of ideas are getting sold along with the products?  What are the broader cultural consequences of the ubiquity of selling, the promotion of buying, the celebration of products?  A variety of different media will be considered.

Enrollment limited to 16 students.  This course satisfies General Education Area 4.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  395D, 396D  DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  395F, 396F  FRAMING EXISTENCE:  FIVE THEORETICAL CONCEPTS OF THE IMAGE

Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  P. J. McFarland

 

FILM STUDIES  395N, 396N  FILM NOIR PAST AND PRESENT  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  395w, 396w  FEMINISMS IN AMERICAN POPULAR CULTURE  Critical exploration of popular film and television texts through the shifting terrain of contemporary feminist thought and representations.  Academic feminist work will be combined with criticism in the popular press to uncover the interdependent relationships between the two in how they create feminisms' parameters and popular reception.  This is the same course as Gender and Women's Studies 356.

Prerequisite:  Course 101 or permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 16 students.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  395Z, 396Z  ANIMATION  A serious, analytic approach to "cartoons," exploring the historical trajectory of the medium, the evolution of aesthetic practices, and the range of technologies utilized in early and contemporary animation.  Topics will range from early studio animation and experimental work through contemporary computer animation and anime.

Prerequisite:  Course 101 or permission of the instructor.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  403  CITIES ON THE SCREEN:  CONSTRUCTING URBAN SPACE IN THE CINEMA  (IN ENGLISH)  This is the same course as French 403.  Refer to the French listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  409  HISTORY/STORY:  ON THE GRAND AND THE INTIMATE IN FRENCH CINEMA (IN ENGLISH)  This is the same course as French 409.  Refer to the French listing for a course description.

 

FILM STUDIES  410  ADVANCED PRODUCTION WORKSHOP  As individuals or in pairs, students produce an original video project suitable for submission to film festivals or to serve as a portfolio piece.  Emphasis on conceptualization, aesthetics, advanced production techniques, directing, and finishing touches.  This course may be repeated for credit.

                Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  A written proposal or screenplay outlining a student?s project must be approved by the instructor prior to pre-registration.  Preference will be given to students who have completed Course 222 or 321 and have achieved junior standing.  Enrollment limited to 14 students.  A. Hamidi

 

FILM STUDIES  493, 494  ADVANCED STUDY SEMINAR IN FILM STUDIES

                                Enrollment limited to 15 students.

 

FILM STUDIES  493A, 494A  POSTMODERNISM IN FILM AND THE MEDIA ARTS  An exploration of theories placing ubiquitous media culture as central to historical breaks with modernity:  from a breakdown in central authority; to breakdowns between the distinctions real:mediated and human:machine; to an ecstatic/apocalyptic collapse of depth and meaning altogether.  Required screening sessions.  Staff

 

FILM STUDIES  493c, 494c  STUDIES IN CULT AND CAMP  An exploration of the aesthetics and politics of "cult and camp" film and television, examining through fan practices and theoretical writings the intersection of high theory with low cultural products.  This course investigates "trash aesthetics," philosophical approaches to "camp," and the economic and institutional practices of low budget cult filmmaking.

Prerequisite:  Course 101, 202, or permission of the instructor.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  493w, 494w  STUDIES IN AUTHORSHIP:  WOMEN DIRECTORS  An exploration of "film authorship" on theoretical and meta-critical levels, focusing specifically on the way gender does (or does not) impact the production (and consumption) of female-authored texts.  Combining close textual analysis of women-directed films with feminist criticism, the course examines a multiplicity of intersecting identities.  This is the same course as Gender and Women's Studies 419.

Prerequisite:  Course 101, 202, or permission of the instructor.  N. Martin

 

FILM STUDIES  291, 292  INDIVIDUAL STUDY IN FILM STUDIES

 

FILM STUDIES  295, 296  FIELD WORK IN FILM STUDIES

 

FILM STUDIES  391, 392  INDIVIDUAL STUDY IN FILM STUDIES

 

FILM STUDIES  393, 394  INDIVIDUAL STUDY IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION

 

FILM STUDIES  491, 492  INDIVIDUAL STUDY

 

FILM STUDIES  497-498  HONORS STUDY