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THE ART OF FILM

ENGL 330

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A study of film as an art form, with an emphasis on how our experience of film is influenced by the particular ways in which films are made, the characteristics of the medium, and the style and structure of particular films.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Movies are a part of our cultural life that we tend to take for granted. We see little reason to try, let alone struggle, to understand and explain something we regard primarily as entertainment. This course, however, is intended to demonstrate that such an effort can add to, rather than subtract from, one's enjoyment of movies. The main objective of the course is to help you understand some of the general principles, concepts, and techniques of film. Building on this knowledge, you will sharpen your perceptions, analytical awareness, and critical judgments of films.

TEXTS:

Bordwell and Thompson, Film Art: Introduction (4th edition)

REQUIREMENTS:

Regular class attendance and participation in discussions of readings and films screened in class.

A mid-term exam (take-home, due March 11).

A critical essay of approximately 3 typewritten pages, analyzing a significant aspect of one or more of the films screened in class. Due May 6.

A final exam (take-home, due May 20).

GRADING:

In determining a final grade, the various aspects of your performance will be weighed as follows:

Mid-term exam: 1/3 Essay: 1/3 Final Exam:1/3

ORGANIZATION OF COURSE:

For about the first six weeks we will be exploring concepts of film form and style, gaining an understanding of particular' cinematic techniques, and developing a critical vocabulary with which to discuss individual films. Principles and techniques of film will be illustrated in class by showing excerpts from a wide range of movies. For the next nine weeks we will view and study four films in their entirety, analyzing the ways in which elements of film function in individual movies.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Jan 29 Introduction to course; concept of form; beginnings

Feb 5 Film Art, chapter 5 (mise-en-scene), 145-173, 179-184

12 Film Art , chapter 6 (cinematography), 185-219

19 Film Art, chapter 6 (framing), 217-245

26 Film Art, chapter 7 (editing), 246-287

Mar 4 Film Art, chapter 8 (sound), 292-318, 327

11 Screen Film [EXAM DUE]

18 SPRING VACATION

25 Film Art, chapter 3, 64-84, 84-101

chapter 9, 333-345

Discussion/analysis of film

Apr 1 Screen Film

8 Discussion/analysis of film

Film Art, review

15 Screen Film

22 Discussion/analysis of film

Film Art , review

29 Screen Film

May 6 Discussion/analysis of film [ESSAY DUE]

Film Art, review

------

May 20 [FINAL EXAM DUE]




			THE ART OF FILM ENGL 330 NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of film as an art form, with an emphasis on how our experience of film is influenced by the particular ways in which films are made, the characteristics of the medium, and the style and structure of particular films. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Movies are a part of our cultural life that we tend to take for granted. We see little reason to try, let alone struggle, to understand and explain something we regard primarily as entertainment. This course, however, is intended to demonstrate that such an effort can add to, rather than subtract from, one's enjoyment of movies. The main objective of the course is to help you understand some of the general principles, concepts, and techniques of film. Building on this knowledge, you will sharpen your perceptions, analytical awareness, and critical judgments of films. TEXTS: Bordwell and Thompson, Film Art: Introduction (4th edition) REQUIREMENTS: Regular class attendance and participation in discussions of readings and films screened in class. A mid-term exam (take-home, due March 11). A critical essay of approximately 3 typewritten pages, analyzing a significant aspect of one or more of the films screened in class. Due May 6. A final exam (take-home, due May 20). GRADING: In determining a final grade, the various aspects of your performance will be weighed as follows: Mid-term exam: 1/3 Essay: 1/3 Final Exam:1/3 ORGANIZATION OF COURSE: For about the first six weeks we will be exploring concepts of film form and style, gaining an understanding of particular' cinematic techniques, and developing a critical vocabulary with which to discuss individual films. Principles and techniques of film will be illustrated in class by showing excerpts from a wide range of movies. For the next nine weeks we will view and study four films in their entirety, analyzing the ways in which elements of film function in individual movies. SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND ASSIGNMENTS: Jan 29 Introduction to course; concept of form; beginnings Feb 5 Film Art, chapter 5 (mise-en-scene), 145-173, 179-184 12 Film Art , chapter 6 (cinematography), 185-219 19 Film Art, chapter 6 (framing), 217-245 26 Film Art, chapter 7 (editing), 246-287 Mar 4 Film Art, chapter 8 (sound), 292-318, 327 11 Screen Film [EXAM DUE] 18 SPRING VACATION 25 Film Art, chapter 3, 64-84, 84-101 chapter 9, 333-345 Discussion/analysis of film Apr 1 Screen Film 8 Discussion/analysis of film Film Art, review 15 Screen Film 22 Discussion/analysis of film Film Art , review 29 Screen Film May 6 Discussion/analysis of film [ESSAY DUE] Film Art, review ------ May 20 [FINAL EXAM DUE] home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore