SPCM 355 - Evaluating Contemporary Film

Prerequisite

SPCM 354 (History and Appreciation of Film) or instructor permission.

Description

This course was previously numbered SP 355.

As seasoned spectators, most of us are familiar with the fundamental look, structure, sound, and feel of contemporary movies. Filmmakers rely on our familiarity with film form to craft movies that we are able to interpret and, hopefully, appreciate. However, most spectators tend to overlook - let alone question or analyze - how the phenomenal language, techniques, and conventions of film form actually function to make us laugh, cry, frightened, curious, aroused, shocked or even disgusted.

Also, rarely do we contemplate the historical background, political and economical influences, and cultural assumptions that help shape the films we watch. Therefore, through introduction, explanation, examples, and discussions of these elements, this course attempts to encourage a more informed, critical spectatorship of contemporary film.

The hope is that the knowledge and insight you gain through taking this course will result in a stronger awareness and deeper understanding of, as well as greater appreciation for, the movies you watch as well as cinema in general.

This course can be applied towards the:

• Social Sciences (B.S.)

Textbooks and Materials

Unless otherwise indicated, textbooks and materials are required and can be purchased at the CSU Bookstore.

1. Film Art:, 7th Ed.
   Bordwell & Thompson
   ISBN: 0072878800
2. Film, Form, and Culture (with CD-ROM), 7th Ed.
   Kolker
   ISBN: 0072416491

Instructors

Josh Heuman
jheuman@ucalgary.ca

Josh Heuman has enjoyed teaching widely across the field of media studies, in courses on industries, regulation, history, style, and beyond. He's excited to start a new semester of SP 449, and hopes to see you on board; if you have any questions about the course, feel free to drop a note to jmheuman@lamar.colostate.edu

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