Course Description
In general, film theorists pose the question, "what is film?" while film historians ask "what has film been?" and film critics ask "what is the significance of this film and its relationship to others?" This course will serve as an introduction to fundamental texts and concepts in the last century of film production and theoretization. Each week will be devoted to the development and practice of a critical approach to understanding film. We will read a variety of publications from film theorists, historians, and critics in an effort to understand the objectives of different modes of writing about film. Film screenings will both compliment our readings and provoke new questions about topics raised. Our approach will involve investigating the conjuncture of theoretical issues with an experience of specific film texts and the function of these texts in past and present workings of film history.
Both film theory and film criticism inherently involve written communication. This course will be reading and writing intensive. We will use existing theory/criticism not only as a springboard to develop your own reflections on the above questions, but also to evaluate different approaches to writing about film. You will develop your ideas and your writing style throughout the semester. Written assignments include an on-going personal blog as well as two major papers.
Course Goals
(1) to understand the conditions and motives that led to each stage of re-thinking film media,
(2) to initiate theoretical strategies in your own work, and
(3) to learn to think critically and write elegantly about film
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Setting Up Your Blog
Step 1: Create a Blogger Account if you do not already have one and create a new blog for this class.
Step 2: Name your Blog. You can be as creative as you want with the title, but for grading purposes the first part of your blog's name MUST include your first and last name. (E.g., Lauren Glenn's Fantastic Film Forum)
Step 3: Design your blog. You can be as creative as you want, the only requirement is that your blog includes two tabs at the top of your blog (see below)
Step 4: Create Two Tabs for separate pages: (1) Home Page, which will include all of your blog assignments, and (2) Screening Notes. To do this, go to Design, click "Add a Gadget," and choose "Pages." Add new pages by clicking on "New Post," and then on "Edit Pages" and "Add New Page."
