Film (FIL)

Introduction to the basic terminology, techniques, and contributors of film-making and critical analysis skills of film form and content. This course includes selections from the Western canon.

An overview of film as an art form, an industry, mass medium from its beginnings, the silent era, the sound development, the studios, the rise of the independents, and the current circumstances, including foreign films.

Students will learn about critical perspectives on culture, politics, gender, religion, race and class in horror films. Cinematic parameters—from aesthetic and thematic perspective—in relation to mainstream, independent and foreign horror cinema will be analyzed and discussed.

Students examine the American Western film as fertile ground for the exploration of individual and social expression, and American national identity.

Exploration of specialized topics in film selected by the instructor. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.