This course offers a historical survey of world cinema by tracing from the very beginning of cinema’s invention to international productions toward the end of the 20th century. Decade by decade, we will follow cinema’s development in terms of historical and cultural contexts, technology, industrial practice, and major movements, genres, themes as well as directors. Accompanied by lectures, screenings, readings and discussions, students will view, assess, and understand canonical films from around the world in relation to their historical, industrial, and cultural backgrounds.
- Textual/Visual Analysis
- Interpretive Frameworks
- Historical Analysis
- Literary/Film/Narrative Art Inquiry
- Communication Skills
- Textbook: David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film History: An Introduction, McGraw-Hill, 4th edition (2018), or an earlier (cheaper) edition. Purchase online. Also available on library reserve. Instructor has a few copies for loan if needed.
- Films: While most of the films required for the weekly screenings are available on DVDs in library reserve, you can stream them for free through GT library online and other venues. Streaming access details are to be provided in the Weekly Schedule.
This course offers final letter grades in accordance with GT’s general grading policy:
A (Excellent)
B (Good)
C (Satisfactory)
D (Passing)
F (Failure)
The calculation of the final grade is based on the sum total of grades given to (possibly a slight variation of) the following requirements and assignments:
- attendance to lectures and participation in classroom discussions;
- weekly homework in the form of watching a required feature-length film, doing required reading, and providing written feedback to designated questions in relation to the film and reading;
- one or two major assignments that are likely to take the form of exams, research essays, and/or creative projects such as making a short film.
- a final personal essay in which students reflect on their learning from the course and/or develop a research prospectus on a topic growing out of this course.
Absences need to be justified with official documentation such as from GT Dean of Students Office or a doctor. Five unaccounted absences automatically result in an “F” grade.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts in English or other languages, or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence