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CMS 2100: Introduction to Film

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Film is an art form with a language and an aesthetic all its own. Indeed, in CMS 2100 we will approach film as the public literature and graphic art of our time. Through lectures, readings, film screenings, and discussions, you will learn how to analyze the formal and stylistic, aesthetic and ethical elements of cinema. We will study a range of great movies from international film history; you may not love every film we study, but you will definitely become a more informed, sophisticated film viewer. You'll never watch movies the same way again!

Course Format

We will spend approximately the first half of the course studying the formal techniques and terminology of film art. During the second half, we will explore how various filmmakers have employed these cinematic techniques to achieve different historical effects. Note that our reading load will be heaviest during the first half of the course, becoming considerably lighter during the second half.

You MUST check your CSU email account regularly for important notices and updates; this is especially important if you are enrolled in an online version of the course, since we do not regularly meet in person. "I didn't check my email for a few days so I only just got your message" and "I never check that account" are not a valid excuses for missing important course updates, and your grade may suffer as a result.

Film Screenings

Please note that the film screenings are mandatory, and this material will be on exams. If you do not plan to view the films on DVD or streaming or in the library on your own outside of class, you should drop this course.

You do not need to purchase these films on DVD. Some may be rentable at your local video store, but all of our assigned films are available on DVD reserve in the CSU library for free or via the DVD rental service Netflix for very reasonable rates. Just sign up for a few months’ subscription & then you can cancel it whenever you like; it will be less expensive than buying the DVDs or even renting them locally. I’ve used Netflix for years and can vouch for the quickness and efficiency of their shipping and also for their great selection of DVDs and instant streaming downloads too. There are other DVD subscription options too, like Greencine and Amazon...

We will view additional excerpts from selected films during class lectures, and this material will be on exams as well. (See the In-Class Screening List for the full list of film clips that we'll be seeing in class.)

Always arrive five minutes early to on-campus meetings, class lectures, and screenings, not only because we will start promptly but also because late arrivals are extremely disruptive. If you must arrive late, always use the back door to enter the room quietly and then sit quietly on the aisle; do not step over people to get to a favorite seat, since this blocks the view of the screen for others. Do not eat loud foods, sleep, answer cell phones, text, operate computers, check email, talk with classmates or talk back to the screen loudly, or leave the room for food or other non-emergencies during class meetings, lectures, and screenings; these are a time for serious study of our film texts so you should be taking copious notes during each film to prepare for your quizzes, class discussions, and exams. You may wish to bring a penlight to classes and screenings to help you take notes in the dark. Anyone behaving disruptively during a screening or class will be asked to leave.

Required Texts (Available at the campus bookstore or online retailers)

1.    Bordwell, David and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction, 9^th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. **The 8th edition is okay too.
       ISBN-10 0-07-338616-2 ISBN-13 978-0-07-338616-4 (FA)        

2.    Film Art CD-ROM (included free with textbook) (CD)

3.    Selected supplemental readings (online hyperlinks located on schedule page)

We will cover all chapters of these course materials in their entirety. Course textbooks & most of our films are on free reserve in the CSU library. If you purchase your textbook online, be SURE to purchase the 8th edition with CD-ROM.

Computer Requirement

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers

Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course, except for one or two dates that will be posted on our syllabus in advance. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor outside of class.

Computer Skill Prerequisites

• Able to use the Windows™ operating system
• Able to use Microsoft Word™ word processing
• Able to send and receive e-mail using Outlook™ or Outlook Express™
• Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
• Able to use a Web browser
• Able to use GeorgiaView/Blackboard

Note for on-campus classes: If you have added this course during the schedule change period and/or were not present for the syllabus review/orientation the first day of class, you are required to meet with me or the TA the following week immediately after class or during my office hours to review course requirements and policies.