Film Studies

Courses

Courses with * fulfill
General Education requirements

(A-AP) = Arts - Applied

(A-TH) = Arts -
Theoretical/Historical

(A-AR) = Analytical -
Abstract Reasoning

(A-QR) = Analytical -
Quantitative Reasoning

(CP) = Comparative Practices

(D-D) = Diversity - Domestic

(D-I) = Diversity - International

(D-L) = Diversity - Language

(ES) = Earlham Seminar

(IP) = Interpretive Practices

(SI) = Scientific Inquiry

(W) = Wellness

(AY) = Offered in Alternative Year

*FILM 215 INTRODUCTION TO
FILM STUDIES (4 credits)
Introduces film analysis skills that focus on technical details of the cinematic medium, and how they influence narration, character and theme. Highlights important topics in film history and film theory. Prerequisite: Earlham Seminar or Interpretive Practices course. (A-TH) Offered once every three years.

*FILM 237 EAST ASIAN CINEMA
(3 credits)
A survey of films from China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan), South Korea and Japan. Develops basic skills for visual analysis and familiarizes students with film theories and cultures of modern East Asia. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 237. (CP, D-I) (AY)

*FILM 252 PHILOSOPHY AND FILM THEORY (4 credits)
Investigates the relationship between philosophical ideas and visual narratives. Examines the philosophical foundations of various theories of film and interprets visual narratives in terms of philosophical ideas. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course. Also listed as PHIL 252. (A-TH, CP)

*FILM 254 THE HOLOCAUST AND FILM (4 credits)
Examines the question of the representation of the Holocaust as a historical event and asks how we, as citizens, can provide an adequate ethical commitment to the memory of this event. Questions asked concern issues of memory and trauma, how to do justice to survivors' experience, how to understand the scope of the Holocaust. Also examines the limitations of explanatory modes and specific issues pertaining to cinematographic representation. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 254 and JWST 254. (CP, D-I) (AY)

FILM 275 VIDEO PRODUCTION (3 credits)
Provides a basic understanding of the theory and technologies of video production. Also looks at the functions of video and television as communication media and social forces. Also listed as THEA 275.

FILM 300 TOPICS IN FILM STUDIES (3-4 credits)
Topics determined by the instructor might consider particular filmmakers or cinematic movements as well as interdisciplinary or thematic concerns. May be taken more than once with different topic. Prerequisite: ENG 207 or FILM 215 or consent of the instructor.

*FILM 330 POSTCOLONIAL THEORY (4 credits)
A study of selected topics in Postcolonial Theory. Investigates the philosophical presuppositions of these topics and the relationship between Modern philosophy and European Colonialism. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course and one prior Philosophy course. Also listed as PAGS 330 and PHIL 330. (CP, D-I) (AY)

*FILM 332 HISPANIC FILM SERIES/STUDIES (1-4 credits)
Studies the development of movies and movie making in the Hispanic world. Topics vary. May be taken more than once with different topics. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 or placement or consent of the instructor. Also listed as SPAN 332 (A-AT, D-I)

*FILM 341 JAPANESE POPULAR CULTURE (3 credits)
Introduces academic approaches to contemporary popular culture in Japan, such as anime and video games. Develops analytical skills for visual narratives and helps students better understand Japanese culture in the post-industrial era. Also listed as JPNS 341. (A-TH, D-I) (AY)

*FILM 342 JAPANESE CINEMA (3 credits)
A survey of Japanese cinema from early films to anime, comparing the development of Japanese cinema with other national contexts. Develops analytical skills that focus on technical details of films and how they inflect narration, character and theme. Also listed as JPNS 342. (A-TH, D-I)

FILM 346 CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY GERMAN FILM (3 credits)
Examines films in the historical and social contexts from the Expressionist period of the early 1920s to contemporary German cinema. Also looks at cinema as an art form and film style. Also listed as GER 346. (DI) (AY)

FILM 349 POLITICS AND FILM (3 credits)
Examines a collection of contemporary films that seek to enhance our understanding of real-world politics and major policy debates. Expands the view of movies as entertainment to deepen our understanding of politics, economics and culture. Also discusses the politics of film-making, seeking to understand why filmmakers choose political subjects. Also listed as POLS 349. (AY)

*FILM 350 TOPICS IN FRENCH (3 credits)
Topics vary, as does the focus on European or non-European literatures or cinemas in French. Designed to enable students to begin to engage in serious analysis with an emphasis on critical approaches. Recent topics include: representations of Paris, African cinema, Mandinka literature. May be repeated for credit with a different topic. Prerequisite: FREN 222, 301, 303 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as FREN 350. (D-I)