English 416/516: Film Criticism, Fall 2001
MW 12:00-1:45, AH 306

Required Texts:
Mast, Cohen and Braudy, Film Theory and Criticism: Introductory Readings; 5th ed.

Recommended:
David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction, 6^th ed. or another introductory film textbook

Course Objectives:
The term "film criticism" tends to conjure up images of thumbs pointing up and down, of stars and grades, of ripe and rotten tomatoes, all relegating movies to FilmHeaven, CineHell, or MovieLimbo. But this is not a course in film reviewing as such. While we will pay some attention to questions of evaluating films and to some film reviewers and the cultural and economic roles that they play, we will be trying to look more deeply at the nature of film itself, its social and psychological roles, and the interrelationship of individual films and film industries with viewers. Some of the questions that we will deal with include:

• Just exactly what is the cinema?
• What makes cinema different from other art forms:?
• Is film a record of reality or a way to alter reality?
• What is the "language" of film?
• In what sense is film an art?
• Who is the artist behind the film?
• Are movies products of their culture or do they shape that culture?
• How do audiences react to and interpret what they see?
• Are filmgoers actually shaped by what they see?
• How do race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors affect the relationship between film and viewer?

These questions and others like them have been asked since audiences first began watching movies more than 100 years ago. We will explore some of the answers that critics and theorists have proposed and the ongoing debates that those answers have in turn created. We will read a variety of essays from different critical and theoretical perspectives and look at parts of films and some whole films as examples for discussion. By the end of the semester, you should be able to:

• know and use basic film terminology
• understand and discuss major trends in film criticism and theory
• analyze films using different critical approaches
• understand your own ideas about film in relation to these trends and types of criticism

Undergraduate Course Requirements:

1. Regular attendance and participation. Unless you have made specific arrangements with me, every three absences will lower your final grade by one full grade. If you have legitimate reasons for missing class, contact me as soon as possible.
2. Completion of all reading and viewing assignments before the class meeting. (Even when an article is particularly difficult, I expect that you will be able to address the question of what you found difficult about it.)
3. A weekly Response Journal. This should be kept in a separate notebook or binder. (I will not accept loose papers.) Each week, you should select one of our readings for that week . Pose a question about some aspect of that reading and try to frame a brief explanation of your question and a possible answer to it. This is an informal assignment, but entries should be neatly written and at least 200 words long. They will be due on the Monday of each week. By the end of the quarter, you should have at least 13 entries. This assignment counts for 10% of your grade and carries an automatic grade of A, which can be lowered if there are fewer than 13 entries or if they do not meet the standards set here.
4. Two take-home essay exams. You will have a week to write each of these exams. Each exam counts for 20% of your grade.
5. Take-home final exam. I will give you the questions the week before the final exam period, when you will bring the answers in. This exam counts for 25% of your grade.
6. An In-Class Presentation. This will also count for 25% of your grade. It will be due by December 11. See Assignment Sheet for additional details.

Grade Breakdown for Undergraduates:

• 10% Weekly Journal
• 25% In-Class Presentation
• 40% Take-Home Mid-term Exams (@ 20% each)
• 25%        Take-Home Final Exam

GRADUATE COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Same as above, except that graduate students will have different exam questions and a written paper as well as an in-class presentation.

Grade Breakdown for Graduates:

• 5%        Weekly Journal
• 15% In-Class Presentation
• 60% Take-Home Exams (@ 20% each)
• 20% Written Project

All readings are from Film Theory and Criticism. Weekend viewing films and tapes will be available for viewing at the Library ERC in the basement, unless otherwise indicated.