Film Studies

Requirements for the Minor in Film Studies 

The minor in film studies consists of eighteen hours, including ENGL/FILM/THEA 210 and fifteen additional hours chosen from ART/ENGL 300; ENGL/FILM 320, 323, 327, 341, 343; FILM/PHIL 335; FREN 322; GERM 420; HIST 3640, 3641; LAST/SPAN 318, 350; or PORT/SPAN 324.

Courses

CO = Co-requisite ● POI = Permission of Instructor ● PR = Prerequisite ● RE = Recommended ● XL = Cross-listed

210 Introduction to World Cinema (3) (XL: ENGL 210 and THEA 210) A survey of the important genres, theories, techniques, and international movements of film history. Representative films from the silent era to the present, and from America to Europe and Asia, will be covered. (Alternate years)

320 Silent Film (3) PR: ENGL 110, 111, and POI ● XL: ENGL 320) A survey of film‘s formative years, from the Edison kinetoscopes of the 1890s to the international flowering of the 1920s, focusing on thematic trends, development of genres, and increasing complexity of film grammar. Directors whose works we will study will include Griffith, Eisenstein, Vidor, Lang, Chaplin, Murnau, Gance, and von Sternberg. (Alternate years)

322 Introduction to French Cinema (3) (PR: FREN 202 or POI ● XL: FREN 322) A survey of the history of French cinema from the silent era to the present day. Important genres, theories, and techniques from all periods will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on the most representative French cinematographic schools and auteurs throughout history, including Truffaut and the nouvelle vague and Malle and the cinéma engagé.

323 Film and American Culture (3) (PR: ENGL 110 and 111 ● XL: ENGL 323) A study of the way in which social, political, economic, and cultural forces in America have influenced or been depicted by or in American film. Selected directors whose films will be viewed include Griffith, Chaplin, Hitchcock, Altman, Levinson, Tarantino, and others. Only one course 211 or 323 may count toward the major. (Alternate years)

327 Film Noir (3) (PR: ENGL 110, 111, and POI ● XL: ENGL 327) A survey of the classic era (1941-1958) of Film Noir, examining the literary and cinematic influences, visual style, and psychological and gender issues present in the Noir canon. We will also examine the resurgence of Noir during the decades on either side of the Millennium.

335 Film and Philosophy (3) (XL: PHIL 335) This course invites students to apply philosophical skills of careful examination, cooperative conversation, and thoughtful writing beyond the realm of written texts. (Alternate years)

341 Postcolonial Literature and Film (3) (PR: ENGL 110 and 111; XL: ENGL 341) This course focuses on regions of the world that, in the mid-20th century, gained political independence after years of colonial rule (Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean) and explores the rich hybridity of the literature and cinema they have produced in the past half-century. Questions raised by globalization, transnationality, and diasporic identity will also be addressed. (Alternate years)

343 Modern Chinese Literature and Film (3) (PR: ENGL 110 and 111 ● XL: ENGL 343) This course surveys the major developments in 20th-century Chinese literature and film, starting in the Republican era, then moving through the Maoist years to the cultural resurgence that has followed. Primary focus is on social landscapes, the cultural imaginary, and the depiction of ordinary people‘s lives. (Alternate years)

442 Directed Studies (1-6) A directed study requires a minimum GPA of 2.25 with course approval by the Provost. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Each directed study will culminate in a research paper or its equivalent. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in a directed study to count toward its major.

444 Internships (1-6) Internships require a minimum GPA of 2.00 at the time of application (or higher if specified by the department in which the internship is taken). A maximum of six hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis only. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.

446 Readings (1-9) Selected readings are open to students with sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Hours earned in these readings cannot be used to meet requirements for the major. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.

448 Research (1-9) Research requires a minimum GPA of 2.50 (or higher if specified). A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.

450 Seminar (1-9) Seminars are regularly offered by various departments of the College. The requirements for these courses are individually listed.

452 Special Projects (1-9) Special Projects are open to sophomore, junior, or senior students who have a GPA of 2.25 and approval by the Provost. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.

458 Special Topics (1-6) Special topics courses are those that cover subject matter that is not part of the regular curriculum. A special topics course must have the prior approval of the department and the Provost and may be offered twice. Students may enroll in and receive credit for an unlimited number of special topic courses as long as any prerequisites or other requirements are met.