HRS 180: The Film: An Introduction California State University, Sacramento Department of Humanities and Religious Studies College of Arts and Letters Fall 2003
Instructor Overview Syllabus
		Catalog Description: The Film. Introduction to the esthetics of cinema with special attention to the evolution of critical theories of cinema within the framework of twentieth century arts and ideas.  3 units. The course has no formal prerequisites. It presupposes a fondness for movies and a certain experience with casting judgments on them. HRS 180 is intended for General Education students interested in film and for HRS majors interested in pursuing film history and esthetics. The course is based on the premiss that students like movies and would like to learn more about them. It focuses on broadening and deepening students' understanding of film. Students will be introduced to film history and to an understanding of film as a work of art. They will read a first-rate text on film appreciation, and view approximately a dozen films, most of them complete, in class. There will be three in-class examinations and two critical reviews of films seen outside of class. The course has as its goals to provide students with the following: A fundamental understanding of concepts and terms relevant to film criticism. A rudimentary familiarity with film history, especially in the United States. A beginning familiarity with some of the great film artists and some of the film masterworks from the 1920s to the present. The ability to critique a film, i.e. by means of analysis to be able to distinguish good from bad movies and to give reasons for your opinions. A better understanding of the phenomenon of Hollywood and of the diversity of movies in regard to style, national origin, gender of filmmakers, etc. The course is designed to be entertaining; but it requires genuine academic work.
		Film Reviews Laura -- Magill's Laura -- Ebert Laura -- Dirks 400 Blows -- Magill's 400 Blows -- Ebert 400 Blows -- Berardinelli House of Games -- Magill's House of Games -- Ebert House of Games -- Canby HG -- VanWert blurb Hannah and Sisters -- Magill's Hannah and Sisters -- Ebert Hannah and Sisters -- Canby Blood Simple -- Ebert Blood Simple -- J. Garner Blood Simple -- Bergan Singin' in the Rain -- Magill's Singin' in the Rain -- Dirks Singin' in the Rain -- Ebert Vertigo -- Magill's Vertigo -- Maslin Vertigo -- Ebert Vertigo -- Dirks Hitchcock on Vertigo Driving Miss Daisy -- Magill's Daisy -- Canby Daisy -- Ebert M. Freeman -- filmography Jessica Tandy -- filmography	Double Indemnity -- Magills Double Indemnity -- Ebert Double Indemnity -- Dirks Barbara Stanwyck & D. Indemnity Room With a View -- Magills Room With a View -- Ebert Room With a View -- NY Times Atkinson on Bonham Carter Citizen Kane -- Dirks Citizen Kane -- Ebert Citizen Kane --Slant & Pauline Kael		Giannetti -- Chapter Outlines Chapter 1 Chapter 11 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Chapter 6	Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 12
					Short Essay Lists Exam #1 Exam #2 Exam #3
			Sample Chapter Questions Chapter 1 Chapter 11 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 4	Chapter 6 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 12	Misc. Resources Film Resources -- CSUS Library Film Critique Assignment 'Hollywood Style' outline 'The Star' outline 'Room With a View' -- adaptation
			Answer Key Test #1 Test #2 Test #3		Student Critiques LA Confidential Quiz Show Dry Run -- Mamet Dry Run -- Truffaut Waking Ned Devine Amelie Far From Heaven	Student Samples Essays Test #1 Essays Test #2
			Acceptable Movies for Critiques Critique #1 Critique #2
		Instructor: George S. Craft  More information is available on Dr. Craft's homepage. You may contact the instructor via e-mail at gcraft@csus.edu.

Send problems, comments or suggestions to: gcraft@csus.edu
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