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Film Studies

Faculty

  • Professor Fleeger (Coordinator); Associate Professors Leppert, Mizenko.

  • The Film Studies minor is designed to help students achieve a critical and historical understanding of cinema, an art form of growing importance in a media-dependent world. The minor includes study of how film form produces meaning, an examination of the relationship between cinema and culture, and an introduction to the historical development of cinema. The program encourages students to engage in analysis and critique of a range of films, both classic and contemporary, from Hollywood, other national cinemas, and independent filmmakers.

    Requirements for Minors

    A minor in film studies consists of five courses: FS-101, 235, 250, and two additional courses in Film Studies one of which may be replaced with MCS-225.

Courses

  • FS-101. Introduction to Film Studies

    The usual first course in a film studies minor, introducing students to analysis of film through style and form. Includes basic elements of the development of film conventions as well as an introduction to connections between style and ideology. Intended primarily for freshmen and sophomores. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    FS-235 Topics in Film History

    A study of an area in the history of film production, distribution, and exhibition. Representative topics include Silent Film, Classical Hollywood Cinema, European Film Movements, Documentary Film, or New Hollywood Cinema. This course may be taken more than once for credit. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week.Four semester hours. (H.)

    FS-250. Topics in National Cinema

    An overview of a national or regional cinema other than the United States. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    FS-251 Topics in Film Genre

    A study of the production and consumption of films within a familiar form such as the musical, Western, or detective film. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    FS–252 Topics in Film and Identity

    Representations in American cinema of groups as categorized by gender, race, or ethnicity. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours. (DN., H.)

    FS-253 Special Topics in Film Studies

    Focus on a specific topic within film studies not covered in other courses in the curriculum. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours (H.)

    FS-265 Documentary Film Ethics

    Documentary films purport to represent the real world, but they are also stories told for a purpose. This course will examine documentary film from early film actualities to contemporary reflexive nonfiction films in their historical contexts in order to consider the kinds of ethical questions their directors and producers must ask. The course is divided into three parts, each of which asks a question central to ideas about how we should live together: 1. What is the filmmaker’s responsibility to the subject? 2. What is the filmmaker’s responsibility to the truth? and 3. What is the filmmaker’s responsibility to the audience? Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours. (H, O.)

    FS-305 Film Theory and Criticism

    Theoretical approaches to the analysis of film. Prerequisite: FS-101Usually offered every other year. Three hours lecture and a two-hour screening per week. Four semester hours. (H.)

    FS-381. Internship

    An experience under the supervision of a faculty advisor and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Includes periodic meetings with the faculty advisor and completion of an approved research project. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 120 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: declared minor in film studies, three courses completed in the program, and approval of a faculty internship advisor. Graded S/U. Three semester hours. (XLP.)

    FS-382. Internship

    An experience under the supervision of a faculty advisor and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Includes periodic meetings with the faculty advisor and completion of an approved research project. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 160 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: declared minor in film studies, three courses completed in the program, and approval of a faculty internship advisor. Graded S/U. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    FS-390 Research in Film Studies

    Readings and independent research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. A final product on a specific topic in film studies is required. Prerequisite: three courses in film studies, demonstrated competence in the specific area of study, a written project proposal, and permission of a program faculty member who will serve as project advisor. Four semester hours. (XLP.)