VACV142 The Art of Theatrical Cinema
Department of Arts and Communication: Cinema/Video Production
- I. Course Number and Title
- VACV142 The Art of Theatrical Cinema
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
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Students must attend an off-campus film screening.
This course meets the General Education requirement for Arts/Humanities.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Students examine the art and craft of the narrative cinema as it has developed from the beginning of film history to the present. Feature films are analyzed for their visual and story elements, as well as their historic, cultural, religious, political, and economic context.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- apply the appropriate vocabulary to analyze and describe the style and technical aspects of films;
- recognize the contributions of various countries, studios, or directors to the development of an international cinema;
- interpret the connections between film and important historical events of the twentieth century, and changing attitudes towards women;
- interpret and analyze the possible meaning of a film within an appropriate and arguable context (e.g., historical, religious, political, economic, social, racial, gender roles, etc.) [Arts/Humanities]; and
- develop critical views of theatrical cinema.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
Students view and analyze examples of films that may be selected from the following categories: Primitive Cinema, Classical Style in Film, Russian Montage Editing, German Expressionism, American Silent Comedy, Realism, Film Noir, Italian Neorealism, French New Wave, Third World Cinema, European Superstar Directors, New Direction in Hollywood Cinema. Students learn the basic terminology used in the study of film and apply this vocabulary to the analysis of films viewed. Students examine film as a reflection of its cultural origin and explore how it can be interpreted in the context of history, religion, politics, economics, social hierarchies, race relations, gender roles, etc. -
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Students submit a mandatory film review and analysis paper, which demonstrates proper use and citation of research materials and additional writing assignments. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Students view films during class. Instructors select required readings and support materials. See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 3/07; Course Goals/Objectives added 11/06; Revised 3/2010; Revised 1/2014; New Core 8/2015