FILM: Film (Undergraduate)
What do children learn from the films they watch? In this course, students learn to analyze how films teach children about gender, sexuality, race, class, and more. Through the perspectives of gender studies, child development studies, and film studies, students will analyze a range of popular films aimed at young audiences. They will learn techniques for analyzing films and for understanding how audiences make meaning from what they perceive on the screen. Students in this course will also question the relationship between film and culture, especially as they consider how and when films direct children toward certain beliefs and when current cultural values guide the content of such films. Note: Students may take either the introductory or advanced version of this course, but not both.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
In this course, students will consider some of the Harry Potter books as literature and will then consider how these specific books were adapted into films for international audiences. Students will look at how Harry Potter has become a marketing sensation by investigating how Harry Potter souvenirs, parties, costumes and more have become common household items for so many people. Lastly, students will study various Harry Potter theme parks. Throughout the term, students will consider the impact of Harry Potter on the literary and entertainment industries and on US culture as a whole. Note: Students should take the introductory or advanced level of this course but not both.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Documentary filmmaking is an effective tool for both social justice and any form of non-narrative storytelling and gives individuals the power to tell profound stories with little to no-budget. This introductory course will give students an overview of how to create a documentary film by experimenting with tools in production along with learning techniques from established filmmakers to implement in their work.
Attributes: Liberal
Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Film (FILM). Please contact your mentor/advisor for more details.
Students in this course will screen a series of films that reflect issues of American identity, culture and the cultural politics of representation. Subjects under discussion will include race, class, gender, sexuality, changing definitions of American citizenship, sacred cultural myths, cultural politics, historical memory and the mythologizing of the American political process. Films representing a wide range of genres, styles, points of view and moments in cinema history will be screened and discussed.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Although many market and political forces would like to maintain cell phones, iPods, iPads and other new media technologies solely as devices of distraction and entertainment, we have the capabilities and ingenuity to restore their potential as tools of social transformation and education. Students in this study will learn framing, camera movement, sound recording, control of natural light and the basics of story telling for small digital formats. We will also study compression techniques, hosting videos, and discuss the best distribution options or delivery mechanism for your project.
Attributes: Liberal
This course will provide students with an opportunity to study the genre of documentary film. Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which these films are both material products of the culture and catalysts for change within that culture. Students will study the history, theory, and aesthetics of documentary film while also exploring current practices in this genre.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Film (FILM). Please contact your mentor/advisor for more details.
Documentary filmmaking is an effective tool for both social justice and any form of non-narrative storytelling and gives individuals the power to tell profound stories with little to no-budget. This course will give students an overview of how to create a documentary film by experimenting with tools in production along with learning techniques from established filmmakers to implement in their work.
Attributes: Liberal
What do children learn from the films they watch? In this advanced level course, students learn to analyze how films teach children about gender, sexuality, race, class, and more. This course is grounded in the study of theory including cultural theory, child development theory, and film theory. Students use these theories to help them analyze a range of popular films aimed at young audiences. They will deepen their skills in using techniques for analyzing films and for understanding how audiences make meaning from what they perceive on the screen. Students in this course will also analyze the relationship between film and culture, especially as they consider how and when films direct children toward certain beliefs and when current cultural values guide the content of such films. Note: Students may take either the introductory or advanced version of this course, but not both. Students should have advanced level college reading and writing skills.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
In this dynamic, interactive course, students will attend three group meetings and then attend the Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) in New York City. Students will have the opportunity to meet with filmmakers and see the most recent films coming out of Cuba. Through the lens of media production, students will examine how issues related to cultural identity and social change are reflected in Cuban cinema today. [Only offered periodically when the festival is taking place.]
Attributes: Other World Civilization Gn Ed, Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, *World Hist & Glb Awnss Gen Ed, Liberal
This course presents a survey of the work of Salvador Dali expressed via film, a fascination that spanned his career -- his vision. Through the use of empirical evidence and theory, we will examine his successes, failures, the relationship of his art to film, the surrealist's vision of cinema as the intermediary state between life/dream, and the audience. A rich collection of film lends support to this study, one that produces a vivid filmic art history of a major 20th century surrealist.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
This course will provide the student with an opportunity to examine the issues of gender and power in American film. It will consider film in its cultural context--examining the ways in which cinema is an expression of our culture and the ways in which our society is influenced and shaped by what we see on the screen. Important writings on the theory of film and its social consequences will provide a background for the discussion of the films.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
In this advanced level course, students will consider some of the Harry Potter books as literature and will then consider how these specific books were adapted into films for international audiences. Students will also look at how Harry Potter has become a marketing sensation by investigating how Harry Potter souvenirs, parties, costumes and more have become common household items for so many people. Lastly, students will study various Harry Potter theme parks. Throughout the term, students will consider the impact of Harry Potter on the literary and entertainment industries and on US culture as a whole. Note: Students should take the introductory or advanced level of this course but not both.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Students in this course will screen a series of films that are instructive for studying race and representation in American cinema. Films representing a wide range of genres, styles, points of view and moments in cinema history will be screened and discussed.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
This course familiarizes students with the historical importance, themes, characterizations, social and religious perspectives, and formal/aesthetic innovations which are central to the work of Alfred Hitchcock. Students will learn about Hitchcock’s artistic/aesthetic choices and unique visual style. They will also explore his approach to narrative development, cinematography, composition, editing and scoring with an emphasis on how these formal elements contribute to a body of work which continues to engage audiences.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
The 1930s was one of the most trying and transformative decades in American history. Otherwise known as the Great Depression, this era had a profound and lasting impact on our economic, political, social, and cultural life. The Depression was a body blow to the American psyche, a fundamental challenge to cherished ideals and beliefs about our society. Yet this time of terrible hardship also produced a 'golden age' in American popular culture. From movies and music to dance and design, many of the era’s cultural achievements have stood the test of time. This course will provide an overview and exploration of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Along with introducing you to many of the most important films (and film genres) from the 1930s & 40s, the study will explore how movies served as a kind of ‘mirror’ to American society: reflecting, sometimes reinforcing, but also challenging the social mores and dreams of Depression and WWII era America. Thus, in the process of placing these films within their historical context, my hope is that you will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of this crucial period in American life, as well as of the enduring legacy of movies from those years on our culture.
Attributes: Liberal
In this course, students will study film as a cultural, social and artistic expression. They will investigate American cinema's origin and development, the rise of the studio and star systems, and the impact of television on film. We will also consider film genres and the American cinema's use of genre to reflect societal concerns. Students will investigate film techniques and develop a vocabulary for discussing the art of film. We will study the origin and development of classical Hollywood style and investigate Hollywood as an institution. Students will also practice active and critical viewing, and will complete research and critical writing about American film. Students must have at least one lower level humanities or arts criticism course. This course was previously COMM 3050 The American Cinema aka Film Studies Film Criticism Film Theory.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Film (FILM). Please contact your mentor/advisor for more details.
Students in this advanced course will screen and respond to a series of documentary films and texts that engage with the ongoing conversation about representing reality on screen. Subjects under discussion will include ethics, propaganda, participant observation, reception, objectivity and framing. Films representing a wide range of styles, points of view and moments in documentary film history will be screened and discussed.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Students will study the history and analysis of the horror film in this course. The course is organized around the gradual introduction of several key theories and approaches to studying horror film.
Attributes: Humanities Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
This course will delve into the world of experimental video and motion graphics. Students will choose from a variety of mediums (video, photos, cell phones, stopmotion animation, film, graphic design, etc.) to create experimental pieces of their own. We will begin the semester examining the historical development of motion media (with a specific emphasis on avant-garde cinema) and students will choose a specific artist and genre for in depth research. This artist and genre will serve as inspiration as students develop experimental works of their own and we explore the treatment of 'personal history' in artistic processes.
Attributes: Liberal
In this course, students will engage in a professional film production internship.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed
Have you ever admired the leadership qualities of certain film characters? This course teaches students the principles of leadership and helps them identify and analyze these principles through the medium of film. Students study topics related to leadership such as the traits and behaviors of successful leaders as well as how leaders use motivation and empowerment to build successful teams. Each topic about leadership will be explored through one or more films that demonstrate that topic in action. As you study leadership, you will also learn how to analyze and critique films.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an opportunity to study the representation of transgender experience in film, and to consider these representations in terms of gender identity as a performative construct. Students will learn about the tools to engage in film analysis and apply these tools with the focus on the depiction of gender identity framed within transgender experience and representation.
Attributes: Arts Gen Ed, *The Arts Gen Ed, Liberal
Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Film (FILM). Please contact your mentor/advisor for more details.