Undergraduate Program

(Also offered as CJ 110)

Study of the development of the mass media with emphasis on television in the areas of programming, policy, regulations, economics, and technology. Examination of the social, cultural, and political impact of the mass media on contemporary society.

For the student who has no practical knowledge of video technology. Students learn about the camera and lens, sound recording, lighting, editing, and other elements of production. Special fee required.

Analysis of film as a unique art, and a survey of main trends in film history. Screenings and critical study of major films. Special fee required.

210 is a prerequisite to 300 and 400 level Media Arts courses.

These courses strengthen students’ skills in video technology while helping them write, direct, and edit video projects that begin to reflect a personal, artistic vision. Special fee required.

Prerequisite: 111.

This course surveys key moments in Latin American cinema including Mexico’s influential “Golden Age” of the 1940s and various “new cinemas” of the ’60s and ’70s. Also considered are Hollywood films about Latin America. Special fee required.

(Also offered as ENGL 324)

Writing workshop on basics of character structure, scenes, visualization, and good old story telling as it applies to the screenplay. Students read scripts, watch film clips, and begin writing an original screenplay.

Prerequisite: ENGL 224.

History of the motion picture from its beginnings to the era of sound. Screening and analysis of major films. Special fee required.  May not receive credit for both 326 and 426.

Prerequisite: 210.

History of the motion picture from the advent of sound to the present day. Screening and analysis of major films. Special fee required.  May not receive credit for both 327 and 427.

Prerequisite: 210.

Studies in film and video genres, regional and national cinemas, and the work of individual artists. Special fee required. May be repeated if subject matter varies.

A lecture survey of major currents in film theory from film’s beginnings to the present. Screening and analysis of major films. May not receive credit for both 331 and 431.  Special fee required.

Prerequisite: 210.

History and theory of documentary, with emphasis on how this knowledge is applied in the making of a documentary. Screenings of work by Robert Flaherty, Trinh T. Minh-ha, and others. Special fee required.

An examination of a distinct type of American film prominent in the 1940s and early ’50s that often deals with crime, corruption, and disillusionment in the city. Special fee required.

Prerequisite: 210.

An examination of Hollywood films of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, whose youthful main characters challenge convention and authority. Special fee required.

A study of major horror films from various countries, with related readings in fiction, philosophy, psychology, and film studies. Classics such as Nosferatu and Frankenstein are screened. Special fee required.

Our study will regard films about women, men, and everybody else. With feminism, queer theory, critical race studies, and transgender film theory, we’ll consider cinema from “women’s pictures” to films about the permutations of gender. Special fee required.

Restriction: junior or standing.

(Also offered as HIST 335 and RUSS 339)

In this course we study films and read secondary sources from the Soviet and post-Soviet eras (with English subtitles) and examine how they comment on current Russian social and cultural issues. Taught in English. Special fee required.

Practicum in basic conceptual aspects of independent filmmaking. Each student creates cinematic work in this course. Special fee required.

This course provides an introduction to basic 16mm filmmaking techniques, with an emphasis on film as a creative art form. Students take up all aspects of filmmaking, from pre-production planning through the final edit. Special fee required.

(Also offered as ARTS 409 / 509)

This class helps students to develop more complex artistic statements on video. Critiques of student work, plus readings and discussions about various arts and media. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

This course surveys key moments in Latin American cinema including Mexico’s influential “Golden Age” of the 1940s and various “new cinemas” of the ’60s and ’70s. Also considered are Hollywood films about Latin America. Special fee required.

History of the motion picture from its beginnings to the era of sound. Screenings and analysis of major films. Special fee required.  May not receive credit for both 326 and 426.

Prerequisite: 210.

History of the motion picture from the advent of sound to the present day. Screenings and analysis of major films. Special fee required.  May not receive credit for both 327 and 427.

Prerequisite: 210.

Workshops in specific production topics conducted by guest artists in film and video as their schedules permit. Special fee required.

May be repeated if subject matter varies.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Studies in film and video genres, regional and national cinemas, and the work of individual artists. Special fee required.

May be repeated if subject matter varies.

A lecture survey of major currents in film theory from film’s beginnings to the present. Screening and analysis of major films.  May not receive credit for both 331 and 431.  Special fee required.

Prerequisite: 210.

History and theory of documentary, with emphasis on how this knowledge is applied in the making of a documentary. Screenings of work by Robert Flaherty, Trinh T. Minh-ha, and others. Special fee required.

An examination of a distinct type of American film prominent in the 1940s and early ’50s that often deals with crime, corruption, and disillusionment in the city. Special fee required.

Prerequisite: 210.

An examination of Hollywood films of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, whose youthful main characters challenge convention and authority. Special fee required.

A study of major horror films from various countries, with related readings in fiction, philosophy, psychology, and film studies. Classics such as Nosferatu and Frankenstein are screened. Special fee required.

Our study will regard films about women, men, and everybody else. With feminism, queer theory, critical race studies, and transgender film theory, we’ll consider cinema from “women’s pictures” to films about the permutations of gender. Special fee required.

Restriction: junior or senior standing.

(Also offered as ARTH, MUS, THEA 584)

An independent study in either critical studies or studio, beyond the scope of the Fine Arts interdisciplinary courses, which may occur within or outside the College of Fine Arts. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

(Also offered as ARTH, DANC, MUS, THEA 487)

Analyzes major instances of interdisciplinary influence and collaboration in the present day. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Media Arts majors undertake individual projects and internships that arise outside the boundaries of other Media Arts production courses. In order to sign up, the student enlists the support of a Cinematic Arts faculty member. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Individual investigation or reading, plus the writing of an essay, under faculty direction. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Directed independent study in a field of special interest, culminating in a written thesis and, if appropriate, a film or video project. Open only by invitation to department honors candidates. Special fee required.

Media Arts majors undertake individual projects and internships that arise outside the boundaries of other Media Arts production courses. In order to sign up, the student enlists the support of a Cinematic Arts faculty member. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Individual investigation or reading, plus the writing of an essay, under faculty direction. Special fee required.

Restriction: permission of instructor.