Humanities & Teacher Education

Course Descriptions

FILM 111. A Social Science Perspective on Films (1)
Students will view major motion pictures from an academic perspective comparing and contrasting the interests of social scientists and the artists who have produced each film. Cr/NC grading only. May be repeated for a maximum of two units when topics vary.

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FILM 200. Introduction to Film Studies (4)
An introductory study of the critical and technical language associated with the film studies discipline. Includes an introduction to genres, classic narrative and non-narrative forms, mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, sound, and film style. Students will be introduced to the major resources and guides and learn research methods specific to the field. Emphasis is on critical thinking, writing, and research skills. Prerequisite: ENG 101. (RM, PS).

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FILM 292. Selected Topics (1-4)

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FILM 300. Film Theory and Criticism (4)
Introduces and practices influential ideas and theoretical approaches in the creation and study of film (theory, analysis, and modes of criticism). Emphasis will be placed on applying knowledge of critical theory in research and writing. Prerequisite: FILM 200. (WI).

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FILM 301. The History of the American Cinema (4)
An introduction to aesthetic, industrial, and social history of the American film, which will include a brief survey of international cinema.

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FILM 311. A Social Science Perspective on Films (1)
Students will view major motion pictures from an academic perspective comparing and contrasting the interests of social scientists and the artists who have produced each film. Cr/NC grading only. May be repeated for a maximum of two units when topics vary.

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FILM 411. A Social Science Perspective on Films (4)
This course will utilize social science perspectives to analyze and critique films. The class will at once introduce students to the concerns of the individual disciplines within the social sciences (economics, political science, psychology, sociology), their interdisciplinary relationships, and a meaningful study of film. (Concurrent enrollment in FILM 311 is recommended.) Prerequisites: PSYC 200 or SOC 200; and ECON 200 or POSC 104.

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FILM 421. Topics in Film Studies (4)
An in-depth study of a specific topic that may include but is not limited to a specific film style or genre (avant garde, national cinemas, film noir, the documentary, independent cinema, the musical, silent films, comedies, the social drama, Westerns) or film author (director or writer). May be repeated once for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite: FILM 200.

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FILM 500. Film Theory and Criticism (4)
At the graduate level, considers and practices influential ideas and theoretical approaches in the creation and study of film (theory, analysis, and modes of criticism). Emphasis will be placed on applying knowledge of critical theory in research and writing. Prerequisite: FILM 200. (WI).

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FILM 501. The History of the American Cinema (4)
A graduate-level study of the aesthetic, industrial, and social history of the American film, which will include a brief survey of international cinema.

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FILM 580. Senior Project in Film Studies (4)
Students will take this course in conjunction with another upper-division course in film studies and will present a formal paper related to their research. This paper will be written under the supervision of the instructor of the upper-division course.

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FILM 592. Selected Topics (1-4)

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FILM 595. Film Studies Internship (2-4)
Supervised internship for film studies students. Placement is with a television or film production organization in the greater Los Angeles area. The student is expected to work three hours per week off campus for each unit of credit. A student may accumulate a maximum of four units in this course. To be eligible, the applicant must meet standards established by the division. Prerequisites: completion of seventy-six units and consent of instructor. Cr/NC grading only.

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FILM 599. Directed Studies (1-4)
Consent of the division chairperson required.

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