General Course Descriptions

ENGL 28600: The Movies

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 38600: 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 38700: 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 41100: 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 41200: 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 41300: 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 41400: 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 58600: 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 49000: Special Topics in Languages and Cultures

FR 33000: 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 26100: 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 33200: 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.

FVS 33600: Screenwriting
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 33700: Non-Linear Editing I
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 33800: Non-Linear Editing II
This course instructs students in advanced principles of non-linear/non-destructive editing. Lectures, viewings, discussions, and laboratory exercises will be used to help the student learn advanced technical and artistic aspects of the editing process. Film Video Studies majors have priority.

FVS 44200: 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.

FVS 45000: Internship in Film/Video/Media Production
Internships in one of the professional areas of film, video or media production. Internships are supervised by appropriate faculty in a particular field of specialization.

FVS 49000: Directed Readings in Film/Video Studies
Readings under the direction of the instructor in a particular field of study.

FVS 49100: Special Topics in Film/Video Studies
Special topics or projects under the direction of an instructor in a particular field of specialization.

GER 33000: 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.

ITAL 33000: 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 33000: Brazilian, Portuguese and African Cinema
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 East 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 33000: 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 26300: 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.

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