Minor
Film Studies
Film Minor
The Film Studies minor offers a curriculum that focuses on the importance and appreciation of film in our culture for well over a century. Students enrolling in the program will gain a critical appreciation of cinema through technical, cultural, artistic, historical, and academic lenses. The core courses in the minor will also de-vote significant attention to the diversity that Film Studies incorpo-rates, including race, gender, and locale. The minor requires 18 cred-its, with at least 12 of those credits listed as FI courses. A grade of C or better must be achieved for all classes taken towards meeting the requirements of the minor.
Degrees and Certificates
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Film Studies,
Courses
FI 101: Film Studies Interdisciplinary Survey
Credits 1This course is designed to showcase and discuss films significant to cinematic history and existing interdisciplinary courses across campus offerings. Classes will feature two films per period.
FI 155: Introduction to Film Studies
Credits 3As a mode of communication and entertainment, film has an undeniable impact on our culture. In order to appreciate film, one must become an active viewer. This introductory course will provide the foundation for that perspective. Concepts such as editing, montage, lighting, direction, acting, production, and scoring will be introduced and discussed so that viewers can learn and appreciate the craft of film-making as both an art form and an influential mode of communication.
FI 222: American Cinema
Credits 3In 1988, the U.S. Library of Congress established the National Film Registry to preserve American films deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically important." This course presents the viewing and discussion of 12 films from the NFR's cumulative list covering a 75 year time span and illustrating the major Hollywood genres. Comedy, drama, horror, mystery, musical, western and science fiction films will all be presented, as well as films representing the work of some of Hollywood's most important directors.
FI 225: World Cinema
Credits 3The course begins with aesthetics of visual storytelling through silent films. Students then view/research iconic films from countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and North America. Finally, we speculate about how and why films can promote compassion and understanding across cultures.
FI 250: Dance Films: Social & Historical Perspectives
Credits 3An overview of dance films from the 1930's to the present. Films to be studied may include Swing Time, Singin’ in the Rain, West Side Story, Saturday Night Fever, and Dirty Dancing. Discussion of the stars' contributions to dance history, the historical and social impact of the films, the techniques of dance and cinematography used, and the social issues explored in the films will follow each screening.
FI 299: Special Topics in Film
Credits 1 3This content-varying course is an investigation of a specific aspect of film not covered in our regular offerings. Topics could be genre, techniques, persons, themes, or industry related to film. The course is credit varying, depending on the topic and semester.
FI 343: Playwriting/Screenwriting
Credits 3This course will analyze established and published play scripts and screenplays while offering students the terms, formatting, and direction necessary to write their own one-act plays or screenplays. Emphasis is placed on critical writing and reading techniques along with character analysis and setting.
FI 355: Film Genres
Credits 3This course investigates the various components and styles of film genres. Included in the list of genre options are: Comedy, Horror/Science Fiction, Western, Cultural/Historical Drama, War, Animation, Musical, Surreal/Art Film, Suspense/Crime and Documentary. We will also discuss the Nature of Genre and the significance of convention.
FI 359: Literature and Film
Credits 3An introduction to the art of film through comparison with literature. Novels, short stories, and plays are examined in conjunction with film versions of the same works, with particular attention to the differences between them and the reasons for those differences. Includes viewing and discussion of selected feature films, and an introduction to film terminology.