Ever wondered how movies create magic? How do filmmakers use light, movement, and sound to make us laugh, cry, or see the world anew? This course takes you on a journey through the language and art of film, exploring how screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, and editors shape meaning on screen. No prior experience is required. You’ll learn the foundations of visual storytelling and film analysis, discovering how camera angles, editing, and music work together to create emotion and atmosphere. Along the way, you’ll build your ability to think critically, write with confidence, and watch films not just as entertainment, but as powerful reflections of culture, history, and human imagination.
Course Goals
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have developed:
- Film Analysis Skills: Develop the ability to analyze films by examining how filmmakers use visual and sound techniques to construct meaning.
- Cultural Understanding: Explore how films from different cultures and historical periods reflect the societies that produced them.
- Critical Expression: Develop clear and effective ways of discussing and writing about films, including the application of course concepts through film-related projects.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Analyze films: Demonstrate mastery of film vocabulary and formal techniques.
- Think globally: Compare films from different cultures and historical periods.
- Connect film to culture: Explain how films reflect and shape social and historical contexts.
- Express ideas clearly: Write and present ideas with clarity, coherence, and evidence.
- Create original work: Apply course concepts through structured, hands-on projects.
- Film Appreciation by Yelizaveta Moss & Candice Wilson (OER PDF/Free).
- Moving Pictures by Russell Sharman (OER PDF/Free).
- Additional reading materials - will be available via Canvas and/or a Cloud Drive Folder.
- Recommended: A Short Guide to Writing about Film, 10th Edition, by Timothy Corrigan (ISBN: 978-1478652076)
- Access to streaming platforms for some films.
Grades in this course are based on the completion and quality of assignments, activities, and assessments. The weighting reflects a balance between written analysis, collaborative work, engagement, and integrative learning.
- Film Journal 1: 4 pts
- Film Journal 2: 6 pts
- Film Essay 1: 6 pts
- Film Essay 2: 9 pts
- Quizzes - Online (2, drop lowest): 10 pts
- Quiz - In-Class Group: 15 pts
- Midterm Group Presentation: 10 pts
- Embodied Filmmaking: 10 pts
- Creative Research/Film Art Project: 20 pts
- Participation - Small Group Discussions: 10 pts
- Total: 100 pts
Grading Scale:
- A: 90-100
- B: 80-89
- C: 70-79
- D: 60-69
- F: 0-59
Regular attendance and active participation are required in this course. While attendance itself is not assigned a standalone numerical point value, absences directly affect participation-based work, including small group discussions.
- Students are permitted up to three (3) absences without penalty.
- Each additional absence beyond three results in a one (1) point deduction from the final course grade.
- Absences are recorded regardless of reason.
- Three instances of tardiness or early departure count as one absence.
- Planned absences require written notice via email two (2) weeks in advance.
- University policies regarding excused absences and academic accommodations will be followed when applicable.
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.
Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic and philosophical works?
Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence