How do motion pictures express ideas?  Why do we respond to them in the ways we do?  The study of film can be based in formal elements (sound, mise-en-scene, color, cinematography and editing), signs and symbols (semiotics), psychoanalytic approaches, cultural and/or gender concerns, and many other theoretical realms.  We will practice using these various approaches to understand and analyze moving pictures.  We will be reading source texts by critics, theorists, artists/filmmakers and cinephiles, and screening one or two feature length movies a week as well as a number of short films.  This is a writing intensive course, with students required to write and revise three or four critical response essays based in analytical frameworks covered in the course.  The final project will take the form of either a research presentation or a film/video production.  Students should expect to spend 8-10 hours a week in class meetings, labs and screenings (in addition to writing, research).  Students will be evaluated on papers, final project and participation in discussions. 

Level: Introductory/intermediate (previous art class recommended) Class limit:12    Lab fee: $25