Humanities & Teacher Education

Course Descriptions

FILM 111. A Social Science Perspective on Film (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. (PS, RM)

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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 Film (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 315. The Film As Art (4)
An exploration of film as a visual art. Parallels drawn between film, painting, and sculpture, and the use of space, color, and content. Avant garde, American, foreign, and documentary films will be viewed with discussions, selected readings, and field trips to augment the student’s concept of film as an art form. (FILM 315 is equivalent to ART 315.) (GE)

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FILM 365. Japanese and Asian Film (4)
This course explores the thematic and formal aspects of Japanese film dealing with topics such as the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the rise of Taisho commodity culture in the 1920s, the Pacific War, postwar reconstruction, and postmodernism. Study of works by Ozu, Mizoguchi, and Kurosawa will introduce the course, followed by a series of more recent Japanese films, including science-fiction animation. In addition, works from China, Hong Kong, and South Korea raise the issue of colonialism and the role Japanese colonialism played in the development of East Asian film industries and sensibilities. (FILM 365 is equivalent to ART 365.) (GE)

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FILM 410. Advanced Writing for Screen and Television (4)
A practical workshop in the craft and technique of writing for motion pictures and television. Students work on independent screen or teleplay projects. The course includes seminar sessions with guest professionals from the acting, directing, and producing professions. At least one supervised project from outline to finished screen or teleplay is required. Prerequisite: CRWR 303. (FILM 410 is equivalent to CRWR 410.)

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FILM 411. A Social Science Perspective on Film (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 431. African American Cinema (4)
A study of film from the perspective of the issues, ideas, and concepts associated with the discipline of African American Studies. The interdisciplinary study will concern itself with how films portray racial issues. (FILM 431 is equivalent to AAS 431.)

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FILM 441. Women and Film (4)
A study of film from the perspective of the issues, ideas, and concepts associated with the discipline of women’s studies. The interdisciplinary study will concern itself with how films portray such issues as gender, sexuality, sex, and femininity and masculinity. (FILM 441 is equivalent to WMST 441.)

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FILM 451. Religion and Film (4)
A study of contemporary film with an eye toward its framing and its theological vision, particularly as these interact with the Christian tradition. Analyzes religious themes, metaphors, and motifs in film, bringing them into dialogue with the historic Christian faith. (FILM 451 is equivalent to REL 451.)

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FILM 462. Italian Cinema from Neo-Realism to the Present (4)
A study of Italian cinema from its beginning to the present time. Consists of the screening, close study, and analysis of 14 masterpieces of Italian cinema. Readings and lectures aim to present the films within their historical, social, aesthetic, and ethical contexts. Prerequisite: ITAL 252, equivalent competency, or consent of instructor. (FILM 462 is equivalent to ITAL 462.)

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FILM 480. Senior Project in Film Studies (2)
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 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 531. African American Cinema (4)
A graduate-level study of film from the perspective of the issues, ideas, and concepts associated with the discipline of African American Studies. The interdisciplinary study will concern itself with how films portray racial issues.

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FILM 541. Women and Film (4)
A graduate-level study of film from the perspective of the issues, ideas, and concepts associated with the discipline of women’s studies. The interdisciplinary study will concern itself with how films portray such issues as gender, sexuality, sex, and femininity.

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FILM 551. Religion and Film
A graduate-level study of contemporary film with an eye toward its framing and its theological vision, particularly as these interact with the Christian tradition. Analyzes religious themes, metaphors, and motifs in film, bringing them into dialogue with the historic Christian faith. (FILM 551 is equivalent to REL 551.)

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FILM 565. Japanese and Asian Film (4)
A graduate-level exploration of the thematic and formal aspects of Japanese film, dealing with topics such as the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the rise of Taisho commodity culture in the 1920s, the Pacific War, postwar reconstruction, and postmodernism. Study of works by Ozu, Mizoguchi, and Kurosawa will introduce the course, followed by a series of more recent Japanese films, including science-fiction animation. In addition, works from China, Hong Kong, and South Korea raise the issue of colonialism and the role Japanese colonialism played in the development of East Asian film industries and sensibilities. Elective course within the film studies minor. (FILM 565 is equivalent to ASIA 565.)

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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 76 units and consent of instructor. Cr/NC grading only.

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

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