FA 257 Understanding Movies: Themes & Genres

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Credits: 4

Features critical analysis and appreciation of cinema through the viewing and study of films within the context of a specific film genre or thematic topic. Emphasizes analysis of formal and stylistic similarities and differences of significant film traditions. Explores cinema’s relationship to society. Introduces basic cinema terminology and concepts, film criticism, and the conventions of writing film analysis. Includes a weekly film screening lab that accompanies the lecture.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115; or completion of WR 090 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Repeatable: 2

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify and explain the significance of the relationship between film art and society.
Identify and define the forms, stylistic devices, and technologies used by film artists, groups, or national cinema movements in their historical contexts and as they relate to aesthetic tradition.
Identify and analyze critical approaches and cultural contexts as they relate to concepts of film genre and convention.
Critically examine issues of diversity and inclusion in relation to film, culture, and genre’s relation to the values of the society in which it was produced.
Write critical analyses of films including at least one essay in MLA format with documentation.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Content Outline

Genre, Tradition and Convention, and the Film History
- Profit motive, marketing, audience expectation
  - Niche marketing and stereotyping of audiences
- The majors and Poverty Row
- Presold properties
- Prequels, sequels, and franchises
- B-movies, Z-movies, exploitation, direct-to-video
Genre Concepts
- Generic modes and typology
  - Generic system, individual genres, individual films
- Convention, similarity, and repetition
- Intertextual motivation and the classical Hollywood cinema
Formal Aspects
- Narrative Conventions
  - Subject matter and themes
  - Character, desire, conflict
Stylistic Elements
- Associated stylistic devices
  - Cinematography
  - Mise-en-scene and production design
  - Editing
  - Sound
Evolution of Genres
- Genre change
- Sub-and hybrid genres
- Cycles, inaugural films
- Influences upon development
  - Other cultures
  - Fan participation
  - Other media
- Consistency and variation of form and style
- History of critical recognition and appreciation
- Historical and national/global context
Genre and Society
- Genre as a reflection of social values
- Genre as an agent of social change
- Genre as dominant ideology, resistant texts by marginalized audiences
Representation and Reality
- Critical approaches to studying film tradition
  - Historiography
    - Changing historical understandings of genres
  - Formalism
  - Ideological critique (e.g., feminism, race/ethnicity, class, colonialism, queer theory)
  - Film audiences and reception theory
  - Textual analysis
Lecture, Lab, and Screening
- Lab
  - Introductory lecture
  - Film screening
- Lecture
  - Secondary lecture
  - Assignment