The student will be able to:
A. Critically analyze film in the context of the context of "classical cinema" formal style.
B. Describe the history of U.S. film and how it relates to the evolution of cinematic form.
C. Identify film techniques, such as editing, sound, cinematography and their development.
D. Understand and apply film terminology of U.S. cinema through written analyses.
E. Explain the characteristics and histories of U.S. film movements and genres through written analyses.
G. Identify the works of leading American cinema artists and their and characteristics.
H. Demonstrate knowledge of film's role in business, entertainment though examination and writing assignments.
I. Demonstrate an understanding of film's influence in shaping values and perceptions through discussion and essay writing.
J. Critically analyze film censorship, audiences, distribution patterns.
K. Identify and describe major trends in the evolution of U.S. film as an art form.
L. Understand and interpret the evolution of diversity within the structure of the American cinematic industry.
M. Through research and study of U.S cinema, identify contributions to the art form made by people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

A. The Hollywood Classical Cinema style
1. Introduction to Hollywood as an industry and cultural phenomenon
2. Importance of story elements and structure, character and plot in classical cinema
3. Formal characteristics of the classical style: editing, sound, cinematography, mise en scene
B. The Hollywood studio system
1. The development of the studio as industrial scale, assembly line production and its impact upon form
2. Business practices and vertical integration
C. Influences of WWII refugee filmmakers on the form
1. Billy Wilder
2. Ernst Lubitsch
3. Fritz Lang
4. Fred Zinnemann
C. The star system
1. Cultural significance of the star system
2. Typecasting, method acting
3. Evolution from the star from the silent era to present
D. U.S. cinema genres and the genre system
1. Early cinema and melodrama
a. Melodrama modality and influences
2. The Western
a. Mythology the representation of manifest destiny
b. Symbolism and social commentary
c. Portrayal of Native Americans
3. Comedy
a. Romantic comedy
b. Screwball comedy
1) Social critique and gender
4. War and combat film
a. Representation of America at war
b. The evolution of traditional war genre convention
c. Nature and representation of heroism
d. Structures of propaganda
5. Film noir
a. Expressionistic techniques and historical antecedents
E. Film in the television age
1. Cultural and historical impact
2. Evolution of content
3. Technological developments: widescreen formats and 3-D
F. The Film School Generation and New Hollywood
1. Influences of earlier and foreign films
2. Postmodernist cinema: parody and pastiche
G. Independent cinema and fine art influences
1. Avant garde American film
2. The rise of independent cinema
H. Cinema in the internet age
1. Impact of digital technology on production and business practices
2. Video game, and social media influences on U.S. cinematic form and content

A. Viewing and analysis of selected cinema either on-campus or via the internet.
B. Outside-of-class observation and analysis of media promotion as it relates to cinema and its impact on society.
C. Feedback on tests and assignments either in-person or online via chat rooms, listservs and newsgroups.

A. Writing assignments that require student to select film(s) from viewing list, construct, develop and defend an argument referencing the film and the reading materials.
B. Essay examinations that require the student to assimilate new information, develop theses, construct arguments and draw conclusions from reading assignments and viewings.
C. Research or analysis paper.

A. Lecture presentations and classroom discussion using the language of cinema.
B. In-class viewing of selected cinema followed by instructor-guided interpretation and analysis.
C. Discussion and critique of assigned reading and representative media.
D. Cooperative learning exercises that require students to apply course content.
E. Group project presentation followed by in-class discussion and evaluation.

Belton, John. American Cinema/American Culture. McGraw-Hill, 2018.
Sklar, Robert. Movie-Made America: A Cultural History of the American Movies. Vintage, 2012.
Although one or more texts listed above are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal texts in this area of study.
 

A. Writing assignments that require the student to select film(s) from viewing list, construct, develop and defend an argument referencing the film and the reading materials.
B. Weekly reading assignments from text and outside sources, ranging from 30-60 pages per week.
C. Exams that reference the reading materials, films, and discussion periods.
D. Written journals and discussion forum when taught via Foothill Global Access.