Film / Video Studies
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General Course Descriptions
One of the most popular courses on campus, English 286 provides students from all disciplines with a basic introduction to film art and history. Mostly it aims to provide students with the ability to understand what any given film means, and how it conveys that meaning cinematically, thus helping them to enjoy their movie-going more. Topics include: basic concepts and terminology, comparative filmmaking styles, sound, realism, authorship, genre, the art film. Depending on the concerns of individual instructors, varying emphasis is placed on film history as a topic running parallel to the ones noted above. There are weekly reading assignments as well as the screening of at least one film. Films by such internationally famous directors as D. W. Griffith, Alfred Hitchcock, and Orson Welles are used to illustrate the course material. Papers and exams to be specified by the individual instructors.
ENGL 386: History of the Film to 1938
A survey of the American and
European cinema from its origins in technology and realism to the aesthetic
implications presented by the coming of sound. Emphasis on the feature film and
on the prevalent aesthetic attitudes in the first decades of the motion
picture.
ENGL 387: History of the Film 1938 to the Present
A survey of
international cinema for the period indicated. Emphasis is on the feature film
and its development as a communication tool, popular art form, medium of
personal expression, and self-exploring linguistic system.
ENGL 411: Studies in Major Authors
A study of the literary,
critical, or cinematic works of one or two influential authors or directors.
May be repeated for credity only with a different topic.
ENGL 412: Studies in Genre
A study of literary or cinematic works
that share distinctive formal features. May be repeated for credit only with a
different topic.
ENGL 413: Studies in Literature and History
A study of literature
or film produced during a particular well-defined historical period from the
point of view of its social, political, religious, and economic contexts. May
be repeated for credit only with a different topic.
ENGL 414: Studies in Literature and Culture
A study of literature
or film from the perspective of the cultural norms and values it expresses,
celebrates, challenges, and imaginatively opposes. May be repeated for credit
only with a different topic.
ENGL 586: Theory of Film
An intensive survey of film theory and
aesthetics utilizing both films and written texts. Topics covered include
changing conceptions of film language, theories of authorship and genre,
theories of narrative, social theory of film, film aesthetics as related to
other forms.
FLL 490: Special Topics in Foreign Languages and Literatures
FR 330: French Cinema
A general survey of major French cinematic
trends from the earliest examples (Méliès, Lumière) to the New Wave (Chabrol,
Truffaut, Resnais, Godard, etc.), with a discussion of the historical, social,
political, aesthetic, and literary contexts. The French film in relation to
world cinema. The relationship between the French cinema and French literature.
Reading and analysis of scripts and historical and critical materials.
Knowledge of French not required.
FVS 261: Technical Video Production I
The course introduces students to the principles and practice of professional
video production. Through lectures, viewing, discussions, and laboratory
exercises, students will acquire the tools necessary to transform their
concepts, or those of their clients, into successful video productions. Film
Video Studies majors have priority.
FVS 332: Technical Video Production II
This experiential course furthers the students' understanding of technical video
production. Lectures, viewings, discussions, and laboratory exercises increase
the students' proficiency with the technology and equipment as well as the art
involved in the craft. Film Video Studies majors have priority.
Students will gain a working knowledge of basic narrative elements and how these elements work to form a story. Writing and re-writing a three act outline and an original screenplay will give you an understanding of script language and process. (Film Video Studies majors have priority.)
FVS 337: Introduction to Non-Linear Editing
The course introduces students to the principles of non-linear/non-destructive editing. Lectures, viewings, discussions, and laboratory exercises expose students to the technical and artistic aspects of the editing process. Film Video Studies majors have priority.
FVS 442: Digital Film Production
Students will gain knowledge of how a film is developed in the pre-production stage, executed in the production stage, and completed in the post-production stage. This class will emulate standard film industry practices and guidelines. Film Video Studies majors have priority.
GER 330/H: German Cinema
Viewing and analysis of major German
contributions to the cinema from the earliest period to the 1960s. Emphasis on
relevant aesthetic theories and on the schools of literature and painting that
served as sources. Evaluation of the German film on the basis of social,
artistic, and political criteria. Knowledge of German not required.
IDIS 491: Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies
Special
topics or projects under the direction of the instructor in a particular field
of specialization.
(A different alpha suffix is assigned each semester.)
Prerequisite: Technical Video Production. Select students who have completed Technical Video Production I refine their skills in areas of particular interest. Among other things students work on real-world productions as camera operators (SONY BVP 550), VTR operators, editors (AVID, Media 100, Adobe), instant replay operators, camera shaders, computer graphics operators, recording engineers, technical directors, and eventually as directors of programs ranging from sports events (Purdue University basketball, football, baseball, and soccer games), University-related events (press conferences, dinners, and awards), and entertainment events (from ballet to opera to the Dave Matthews concert to the University Sing).
IDIS 591: Selected Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies
A study of
selected topics, taught by an instructor in whose particular field of
specialization the content of the course falls.
ITAL 330/H: The Italian Cinema
The development and evolution of
Italian cinema after World War II. The class will center on the viewing and
discussion of films and will survey a broad spectrum of directors and styles.
Knowledge of Italian not required.
PTGS 330: Brazilian, Portuguese and African Film
Screening and
analysis of selected films from Portuguese- speaking countries: Brazil,
Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, with discussion of
their historical, social, political, aesthetic contexts. Knowledge of
Portuguese not required. 3 CREDITS. Satisfies "Other Cultures" core
requirement.
RUSS 330: Russian and Eastern European Cinema
Viewing and analysis
of significant Russian and East European films. Evolution of the Russian and
East European cinema, its place in world cinema, and its relation to cultural,
political, and social trends. Cinematic adaptation of literary and theatrical
works. Knowledge of Russian or East European language not required.
SPAN 330/H: Spanish and Latin American Cinema
Screening and
analysis of selected Spanish and Latin American films with readings and
discussions relative to their historical, social, political, aesthetic,
literary, and linguistic contexts. No reading knowledge required.
THTR 263: Introduction to Sound Studios
An introduction to theories
and techniques of audio production, with special emphasis on theatre
productions; In this course you will learn the basic techniques of audio
production, and have opportunities to apply those techniques to short
soundscapes, designs and recordings; Offered every semester; Prerequisites:
none; open to Theatre, Telecommunications, Interdisciplinary Film studies, ECET,
and Interdisciplinary Engineering Majors Only; 3 credits.