H56.0004 Lecture 4 Credits
Course level: Introductory
Prerequisite for all upper-level History and Criticism courses offered through the Department of Cinema Studies. Students must also register for one recitation.
A basic introduction to the study of film, this course gives an overview of the historical development of cinema as an artistic and social force, while at the same time acquaints the students with the aesthetic elements of the cinema, the terminology governing film production, and the lines of critical inquiry that have been developed for the medium. The objective of the course is to equip students, by raising their awareness of the development and complexities of the cinema, to read films as trained and informed viewers. From this base, students can progress to a deeper understanding of film, a greater grasp of the technicalities of film production, and the proper in-depth study of cinema. Readings, screenings, midterm, and final exams.
