CMS 4310: Film Analysis & Criticism

Course Objectives

CMS 4310 continues the humanities-based approach to cinema begun in Introduction to Film (CMS 2100), now in a writing-intensive format. Through weekly writing assignments you will master the analysis of film form including narrative, mise-en-scène, camerawork, editing, and sound. The course also considers multiple approaches to film theory and criticism within historical and international contexts.

Course Format

We will spend the first half of the course studying and writing about the formal techniques of film art (listed above). During the remainder of the course, we will explore selected stylistic, theoretical, and critical approaches to film. Excellent writing skills and thorough command of the film terminology you learned in CMS 2100 are expected in all of your writing. 

Always arrive five minutes early to class lectures and to film screenings, not only because we will start promptly but also because late arrivals are extremely disruptive. If you must arrive late, please take care to close the doors QUIETLY and sit quickly in an aisle seat so that you do not step over your classmates. Do not eat loud foods, answer cell phones, talk with classmates, or leave the room during 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 journal entries, 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.

Film Screenings

Please note that the weekly films are mandatory, as this material will be the subject matter of your weekly writing assignments and exams. If you do not plan to attend the screenings or watch the films on your own, you should drop the course. We will view additional excerpts from selected films during class lectures.

If you are not attending our on-campus screening, you do not need to purchase these films on DVD. Some may be rentable at your local video store, and most of our assigned films are available on reserve in the CSU library for free or via the DVD rental service Netflix for very reasonable rates. Just sign up for one or two 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 downloads. There are other DVD subscription options too, like Greencine.

A Caution About Our Film Content

Many of the films in this course contain adult content, including violence, profanity, drug usage, child abuse, and/or frank sexual content. These films are intended for mature audiences and are not suitable for children under 17 who are unaccompanied by an adult. If you are disturbed by R-rated or unrated film content, you should drop the course.

Required Texts (Available at the campus bookstore)

1.    Braudy, Leo and Marshall Cohen. Film Theory and Criticism, 7th edition. Oxford UP: 2009. (FTC)

2.    Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film, 6th edition. New York: Longman, 2010. (SGWF)3

3.    Readings online via PDF and Word files. (RR)

Recommended Text (also on reserve in the library)

1.    Bordwell, David and Kristin Thompson. Film Art: An Introduction, 8^th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. (FA)

We will cover multiple 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 correct editions.

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.

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

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.

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 the following week immediately after class or during my office hours to review course requirements and policies.