Introduction to Film Studies
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FILM1000 Introduction to Film Studies
I. Course Description
This course introduces students to the basic terminology of film form and concepts of film analysis.
Film screenings cover sundry national cinemas, genres, modes, and directorial oeuvres from a wide
variety of historical periods. Emphasis is placed on cinematic stylistics, but we will also consider film
as an industrial system (of production, distribution, and exhibition) as well as a popular medium that
both reinforces and challenges social norms and aesthetic codes.
II. Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
• define basic and key concepts in film analysis and interpretation;
• summarize a diverse range of cinematic forms within a field of changing technologies and
media structures;
• articulate the historical, cultural, and material contexts that underpin key concepts in film
studies scholarship;
• analyze film shots and sequences by using the proper language of film analysis;
• identify and formulate strong arguments in academic discussion and writing;
• conduct a feasible scholarly research of your own design; and
• argue the stakes, methods, and outcomes of your project.
III. Readings
• The primary textbook for this course is David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson’s Film Art:
An Introduction, 11th ed., available in paperback and electronically through the university
library. You can also read the corresponding chapters in other editions too (after 8th, in
particular).
• All other required readings are available on Canvas unless otherwise indicated.
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IV. Course Policies
• Attendance Policy: It is essential that students come to class prepared and ready to
participate in discussion. Attendance at all film screenings is required too. All the films that
we show in the screenings will be available only for re-watching on site at the Schaeffer Fine
Arts Library. Remote learning students will be able to view the films through streaming
services, provided by the tutors.
• Participation: Your participation grade is not based on mere attendance, but rather on
engaged, thoughtful, and respectful contributions to class discussion. You may use a laptop
in class to take notes, but only to take notes. Cellphone use during class time and screening
is not permitted.
V. Assignments
• Weekly Journals: From Week 2 onwards (except for Weeks 8 & 13), students are required
to write a paragraph-long critical response to the course materials, including both the weekly
film and assigned readings. This requirement should be seen as a reflection between sessions,
where you share what intrigues, enlightens, puzzles, challenges you from the course
assignments. The deadline for each week’s journal is one day before your tutorial session.
• Quizzes: From Week 3 onwards, there will be a weekly quiz on course materials in the
tutorial.
• Two Essays: There will be two essays required for the course. Prompts will be provided 2-3
weeks before the deadline.
o Essay 1: sequence analysis paper; 1200 words.
o Essay 2: research paper; 2000 words.
*Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
It is contrary to academic integrity and the spirit of intellectual pursuit to present others’ statements
and ideas as your own. To do so is academic plagiarism, punishable under the university’s
disciplinary system. Because such an act of injustice undercuts the distinctive moral and intellectual
character of the university, it will be taken very seriously, with severe consequences. Proper
acknowledgment of others’ ideas, whether by direct quotation or paraphrase, is always expected. If
any textual source is consulted and used, directly and indirectly alike, it must be identified by author,
title, and page number, or by website and date accessed, according to the proper citation format
outlined in The Chicago Manual of Style, available in paperback and electronically through the
university library. A work of plagiarism will be marked zero, and the student will be reported to the
university’s disciplinary committee.
VI. Evaluation
As a rule, no deadline extensions or makeup work will be granted. Work not submitted on or before
the due date is subject to a penalty of 5% per calendar day late. If work is submitted more than 10
days after the due date, the mark will be zero.
• Course Participation (including quiz results) 20%
• Weekly Journal 20%
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• Midterm Sequence Analysis Essay 20%
• Final Essay 40%