ENGL 2860 - Introduction to Film

3 sem hrs cr

This course satisfies the General Education Humanities/Fine Arts requirement and provides an overview of film history using selected works from world cinema. The course introduces the basic elements of film expression and analysis while also examining film’s social impact as a medium and demonstrating the diversity of human experience across multiple time periods and cultural perspectives.

The course does not satisfy the General Education Literature requirement.

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UT

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to…

• analyze and interpret world cinema identifying unique cinematic styles, themes, and storytelling techniques.
• understand the historical and cultural contexts that shape the creation and reception of films.
• appreciate the diversity of cinematic expression and recognize the importance and impact of representation and inclusion in film.

Specific Objectives

Throughout the course, students will…

• utilize film analysis techniques and vocabulary to describe narrative structures, visual elements, and thematic content in films.
• explore the history of cinema from a global perspective, including key movements, filmmakers, and milestones to cultivate a nuanced understanding of the evolution of cinematic expression and its relation to a film’s time and place of production and/or viewing.
• compare and contrast the representation of cultural identities, social issues, and historical events in films from different cultural contexts.
• participate in group workshops critiquing their peers’ written film analyses and providing constructive feedback on clarity, coherence, argumentation, and the application of course materials/concepts.
• write analytical essays and presentations analyzing specific films and movements, focusing on themes, techniques, and historical/cultural contexts.