MDIA 2B: HISTORY OF FILM 1945-CURRENT
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Summer 2021 |
| Units: | 4 |
| Hours: | 4 lecture, 1 laboratory per week (60 total per quarter) |
| Advisory: | Not open to students with credit in F TV 2B or VART 2B. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Area I: Humanities |
| Transferable: | CSU/UC |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- A successful student identifies the evolution of film and video technologies and techniques from 1940 to today.
- A successful student will identify major film historical movements in U.S. and International film from 1940 through today.
- A successful student will demonstrate the ability to analyze film's role in the shaping of cultural values and perceptions.
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. Identify and explain basic facts concerning both technical innovations and artistic accomplishments of filmmakers during the period.
B. Identify and describe evolution of film forms, styles, genres, and film movements characteristic of the period.
C. Discuss and evaluate the uses of camera, lighting, sound, editing, mise-en-scene.
D. Identify major films and filmmakers who contributed to the art, style, and commerce of film. Examples will reflect a pluralistic society.
E. Critically analyze and express in writing appraisal of major films and filmmakers.
Course Content
A. Impact of foreign cinema, television, studio and independent production on the development of film
1. Independent production, state-supported film industries established after World War II
2. Decline of the American studio system and emergence of the independent producer and agents
3. The challenge of television and the studio's response; innovations such as wide-screen, 3-D, stereo sound
4. Art house movement, youth-film movement
B. Evolution of international film from the l940s to present
1. Trends toward realism in Italy, U.S. and England
2. International film movements: Neo-realism, New Wave, national cinemas in Asia and Eastern Europe
3. New developments in Third World countries
C. Major films and film-makers, and appraisal of their style
1. Critical thinking and writing about the artistic merit of individual films
2. Critically evaluating and writing about the formal elements of film: camera, editing, sound, lighting, acting, direction
3. Written documentation showing research and analysis of reading materials
Lab Content
A. Screenings of films and videos either on-campus or via the internet, including narrative fiction, fine art, and documentary for completion of written assignments.
B. Feedback on tests and assignments either in person or online via chat rooms, listservs and newsgroups.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
B. Library for film research, books, scripts, videotape/DVD playback facility.
C. When taught via Foothill Online Learning: on-going access to computer with email software and capabilities; email address, JavaScript-enabled internet browsing software, and videotape viewing ability. Instructor will provide feedback on tests and assignments delivered via email; class discussion may be delivered in chat rooms, listservs and newsgroups.
Method(s) of Evaluation
Mid-term and final examinations
Project papers: research and analysis essays on individual films, film movements, creative artists
Presentation of project paper
Written evaluations of outside screenings of assigned films
Submission of journals
Method(s) of Instruction
Lecture presentations and classroom discussion using the language of cinema
In-class viewing of cinematic excerpts followed by instructor-guided interpretation and analysis
Group presentations of major projects followed by in-class discussion and evaluation
Discussion and critique of assigned reading and film screening
Cooperative learning exercises that require students to apply course content
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Bordwell, David, and Kristin Thompson. Film History: An Introduction. 2009.
Cook, David. A History of Narrative Film, 4th ed.. 2016.
Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film, 5th ed.. 2014.
Mast, Gerald, and Bruce Kawin. A Short History of the Movies, 11th ed.. 2011.
Although several of these texts are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal in this area of study.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Critical film analyses in the form of journals or online discussion assignments.
B. Analytical essay that requires student to select film(s) from viewing list and construct, develop and defend an argument referencing the film and the reading materials.
C. Analytical essay that requires student to conduct independent research on a film of their choosing in relation to film form, theory, ideology, or historical issues.