FMS 220 Introduction to Film Studies

This course is designed as a general introduction to the discipline of Film Studies. The main goal is to learn how to move beyond being a film fan to becoming a critical viewer. To do this, you will be introduced to the formal elements of filmmaking and become acquainted with the basic vocabulary used to conceptualize and discuss films in a meaningful way. Building upon this formal foundation, the second half of the course will examine the various cultural contexts that shape how films are made and how the viewers experience them. You will learn about organizational structures (such as genre), aspects of film's historical development, and some major trends in academic film theory. By the end of the course, you will possess the skills to critically analyze moving images and the methodology to discuss and write about them. In addition, the course seeks to present a wide selection of cinematic forms (including experimental film, independent productions, and world cinemas) in order to shed light on lesser-known (i.e. non-Hollywood) modes of filmmaking, to challenge our culture's firmly embedded preconceptions about the cinema, and to underscore the broad range of possibilities for cinematic expression.

Previous course code was ART 150.