Introduction to Film History and Theory

How do movies “work” on us as spectators and how do they engage with the societies and historial moments in which they are produced? To begin to answer this question, this course provides an introduction to the basics of film studies, including film history and film theory. Particular attention will be paid to international film movements, international and national genres, and major concepts in film history. Additionally, attention will be paid, through screenings and discussions, to image analysis, including dissecting important film sequences by deployed in service of and against particular ideas and ideologies as well as issues key to understanding cinema such as representation, power, and pleasure. This course is a prerequisite for intermediate and advanced study in film-related courses as it provides the basic language and skills to analyze film and film aesthetics and understanding how films function psychologically and socially.