FILM-171 Introduction to American Cinema

This course is an introduction to the history of American film and the study of aesthetic principles and technical terms as they apply to the film as an art medium. Students will view a wide variety of selected films which will be discussed in class.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Demonstrate the basic ideas used in film.
2. 2. Understand the history of the medium of film and its language, aesthetics, and technology.
3. 3. Identify ethical issues arising from the study of cinema.
4. 4. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues of aesthetics, creativity, humanism, meaning, and/or invention in American cinema.
5. 5. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods by distinguishing different cinematic styles and genres between the decades in American film.
6. 6. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creative and humanistic expression with social and cultural contexts as expressed in American cinema.
7. 7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of American cinema as a form of humanistic expression in illuminating the human condition.
8. 8. Develop a general knowledge of the history and technology of film.
9. 9. Distinguish different cinematic styles, genres, and trends in American cinema.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Demonstrate the basic ideas used in film.
2. 2. Understand the history of the medium of film and its language, aesthetics, and technology.
3. 3. Identify ethical issues arising from the study of cinema.
4. 4. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues of aesthetics, creativity, humanism, meaning, and/or invention in American cinema.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1
5. 5. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods by distinguishing different cinematic styles and genres between the decades in American film.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2
6. 6. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creative and humanistic expression with social and cultural contexts as expressed in American cinema.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3
7. 7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of American cinema as a form of humanistic expression in illuminating the human condition.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Final exam

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4
8. 8. Develop a general knowledge of the history and technology of film.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

9. 9. Distinguish different cinematic styles, genres, and trends in American cinema.

   This objective is a course Goal Only