FILM 195 - Topics in Film Studies

FDR: HA
Credits: 3 credits in Fall or Winter; 4 credits in Spring
Planned Offering: Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.

Prerequisite varies with topic. Selected topic in film studies, focused on one or more of film history, theory, production, or screenwriting. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

Spring 2013 topics:

FILM 195-01: Topics in Film Studies: Italian Crime Film (4). The course is a cultural portrait of modern Italy and Italians as reflected in crime film, including Hollywood cinema. Some of the questions addressed include: What is a film genre? What is a crime film? What is the difference between the Italians described in the Italian crime cinema and the Italian-Americans of Hollywood cinema? Is there a specific “mafiosity” in Italian culture, also defined as “amoral familism”? Our exploration establishes fertile ground for discussion about the similarities and/or differences between the Italian and American contemporary history. This course is structured as an intensive workshop for students who would like to learn to analyze films. We use English language as the basis for discussions, oral presentations, and directed writing exercises. Special attention is devoted to some key expressions in Italian, dialects, body language, and other aspects of Italian culture. (HA) Bini. Spring 2013

FILM 195-02: Motion Picture Screenwriting (4). An introductory study in modern writing for visual media, including the story structure of film, the unique format for writing in the discipline, and the elements of plot and character development. Writing and reading assignments as well as film screenings are required. The course culminates in the composition and reading of a screenplay for a short film. (HA) Dean