Class Syllabus

Unit 1 (approx. 3 weeks) The Birth of Cinema

Students will learn to recognize the preconditions necessary for the invention of cinema., understand the influence of patents worldwide on the development of motion pictures, identify major studios, directors and stars and discuss their influences on the industry and discuss the ramifications of industry standards.

The class will view some classic short films: "A Trip to the Moon," "The Great Train Robbery," etc. along with "Modern Times"- "Chaplin" 

Assessment: Silent era test.

Unit 2 (approx. 3 weeks) Sound and the Musical Genre

 Students will identify the many ways that sound recording changed the nature of filmmaking, recognize usage of "Foley" sound editing and dubbing, understand the economic and social influences that led to the popularity of the musical, identify common elements found in musicals, discuss the changes that have occurred within the genre throughout the years, recognize some key studios, producers, directors and actors in that genre, and identify sub-genres such as backyard, backstage, concert, etc. 

We'll look at the history of the musical as described by "That's Entertainment" as well as "Singin' in the Rain" - "A Hard Day's Night" and another film TBD.

Assessment: Sound/Musical test.- Essay on a musical chosen from the approved list.

Unit 3 (approx. 3 weeks) Censorship and Comedy Genre

The student will understand the effect of censorship on the film industry,  identify the elements and themes of the comedy genre, discuss censorship in cinema from the "Hays Code" to modern political correctness, debate motion pictures responsibilities and rights regarding movie content, identify common elements found in comedies, recognize some key studios, producers, directors and actors in that genre and identify sub-genres such as slapstick, screwball, parody, etc.

We'll look at the history of the musical as described by "America Cinema; Romantic Comedy." as well as "Some Like It Hot" - "His Girl Friday" - "Duck Soup" or another film TBD.

Assessment: Censorship/ Comedy test.- Essay on a comedy chosen from the approved list.

Unit 4 (approx. 3 weeks) The Studio System and the Western genre

The student will understand the effect of the studio system on the film industry, identify the elements and themes of the western genre, discuss the ramifications of the "Major" studios owning theater chains, identify the "Big Five" studios that made up the Hollywood Studio System, examine the effect of studio contracts on actors and directors, identify common elements found in westerns, recognize some key studios, producers, directors and actors in that genre, identify sub-genres such as serials, spaghetti, singing cowboy, etc. 

Well examine the history of the studio system as described by "America Cinema; The Studio System" and the history of the western as described by "America Cinema; The Western." as well as " High Noon" - "Shane" - "Stagecoach" or another film TBD.

Assessment: Studio System/Western test. Essay on a western chosen from the approved list

Unit 5 (approx. 3 weeks) Cinematography and the Drama genre

The student will understand the effect of the cinematography on the film industry,  identify the elements and themes of the drama genre, understand the vocabulary of cinematography, explain the effects that different camera angles, movements, framing, etc. have on the audience, identify common elements found in drama, recognize some key studios, producers, directors and actors in that genre, and identify sub-genres such as Melodrama, War Drama, Family Drama, etc.

We'll watch "Visions of Light: the Art of Cinematography"- "Casablanca"- "Citizen Kane"- "On the Waterfront" or another film TBD.

Assessment: Cinematography/Drama test.- Essay on a drama chosen from the approved list.

Unit 6 (approx. 3 weeks) Film Noir and the Director

The student will understand the role of the director on the film industry,  identify the elements and themes of the film noir genre.-  - Define the role and responsibility of the director.- Identify themes, motifs, and techniques used by certain directors.- Identify common elements found in film noir.- Recognize some key studios, producers, directors and actors in that genre. - 

We'll enjoy the history of  film noir as described by "America Cinema; Film Noir" as well as  "Sunset Blvd."- "Double Indemnity"- "Maltese Falcon" or another film TBD.

Assessment: Essay on a film noir chosen from the approved list.-

Final Exam -Compose a final essay on four or more films of a director chosen from an approved list.