FMST 301 - Introduction to Film Theory

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the main ideas and debates about film theory and criticism, from the early days of silent film to contemporary approaches to digital cinema. The discussion will focus on the most significant movements and film schools in Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and other parts of the world, including realism, apparatus theory, psychoanalysis, feminism, genre theory, theories of spectatorship, and Third cinema. In addition to theoretical approaches, students will become familiar with cinematic language, including mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound. The course will explore the work of directors such as Germaine Dulac, Maya Deren, Vittorio De Sica, Barbara Hammer, Alfonso Cuarón, Alfred Hitchcock, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Kasi Lemmons, Jordan Peele, and Wong Kar-Wai.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing
Instructional Method: Conference-screening
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).