Film Theory

Cross listed with FILMS_VS 4810

This course introduces students to a range of film theoretical paradigms. Every week the class will discuss short- to medium length theoretical readings, from the earliest film theories (by Siegfried Kracauer, Sergei Eisenstein, and André Bazin) up to the most recent (by Slavoj Zizek, bell hooks, and others). Some weeks, readings will be accompanied by a film viewing that helps illustrate that week’s key concept. Students will be expected to contribute to discussions, do weekly writing assignments, and write a paper at the course’s end that applies one or more of the major theoretical paradigms to a film of their choice.