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Cinema 310

I. Course Title: Genres: Form, Content, and Culture (WI)

II. Course Number: CINE 310

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: CINE 110

Pre- or Corequisites: ENGL 112

V. Course Description:

This course is meant as a survey of various genre forms found in film and other screen media (television, video games, etc.). The course focuses on formal elements and content, as well as how genres reflect industrial and cultural elements, such as changes in technology, economics, and politics. This course also serves as an introduction to reading, writing, and researching within film and screen studies.

Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

The majority of the content of this course will be drawn from academic texts and articles. The course will focus primarily on teaching students how genres are defined by various elements, such as form and content, and how they develop and reflect industrial and cultural elements, such as technology, economics, and politics. The course will also comprise of viewing materials during lecture as well as outside of class. Screened material may include, but is not limited to, Public Enemy, His Girl Friday, Singin’ in the Rain, The Magnificent Seven, Hurt Locker, and Empire. Screening materials are selected based on at least one of the following criteria: status in the screen media “canon;” example of innovative technologies and/or aesthetic techniques; reflection of, or critique of, cultural movements; produced outside of Hollywood and/or the United States; includes work by minority groups.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

The course will be taught in a hybrid fashion. Students will attend lecture and watch films in class, but they will also be expected to watch materials outside of class in preparation for online and/or in-class discussion. Students will be expected to do the following:

Attend lectures/screenings;
Watch materials outside of class;
Write critical analyses of screen media;
Lead online and/or in-class discussion;
Complete quizzes; and
Take exams.

The preceding list is not meant to be all-inclusive and other activities may be involved.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Throughout the semester, students will gain an understanding of the development and analysis of various genres. Specifically, students will:

Understand the industrial and cultural forces that shape genres;
Be exposed to key primary texts (that is, films, television series, video games, etc.); and
Develop their own critical analysis skills in examining the genre of a film or other example of screen media.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Knowledge of the material in this course will be shown through:

Quizzes to prepare for or review material covered in lectures;
Online or in-person discussions to practice use of concepts/vocabulary and to engage in meaningful analysis of individual examples of screen media;
Short critical essays to develop critical thinking skills in regards to screen media genres; and
Exams to test retention of concepts and vocabulary and the student’s ability to think critically about screen media.

Other Course Information: None

Review and Approval

March 01, 2021