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FAR 110: Introduction to Film

Course Description

This course will focus on learning how to watch films actively and critically. Through a study of American films, students will acquire a working knowledge of American film history from the silent era, recognize and use the basic technical and critical vocabulary of motion pictures, understand how the technology of the cinema relates to film art, and enhance their ability to think, speak, and write critically in an increasingly visual and technological culture. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Discuss visual strategies of film analysis and film making by focusing on the four categories of camera movement (cinematography), sound, editing, and mise-en-scene.
  2. Analzye the beginnings of Hollywood narratives, the contrasting work of the Film School Generation and counterculture of independent filmmaking in the United States.
  3. Define and discuss different traditions in American Cinema.
  4. Respond to movies in a more reflective and critical way after completing this course.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeights

Discussion Board Postings (Weeks 1-8 @ 40 points)

35%

Short Responses (Weeks 1, 3, 4 & 5 @ 20 points)

15%

Research Paper Proposal (Week 2)

5%

Film Review Essay (Week 6)

20%

Research Paper (Week 7)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbook

  • This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.
    • OER resources used for this course:
      • Moss, Y. and Wilson, C. (2024). Film Appreciation (2024 Edition). University of North Georgia; Affordable Learning Georgia. https://alg.manifoldapp.org/projects/film-appreciation
      • Rutledge, I., & Okpala, J. C. (2025). History of Film (Chapter 5, “The Hollywood Studio System”). https://utsa.pressbooks.pub/historyoffilm/chapter/the-post-war-era/

Additional Resources

  • Students are expected to watch at least two movies each week (except for week one). Students will be able to use the films from a specific week’s unit. Students are expected to seek access to films either via their public library, free streaming sites like Tubi, subscription services like Netflix, video stores, and/or pay for one-time rentals via Amazon.com, I-Tunes, or similar.

Course Schedule

WeekSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

1-4

Topic: The Emergence of Cinema

  • How does Hollywood filmmaking work and how did it come into being? The Emergence of Cinema as an Institution.

Readings:

  • Film Appreciation: Film History, Book Pages 14-19 (Moss & Wilson, 2024)

Videos:

  • The Great Train Robbery (1903)
  • Life of an American Fireman (1903)
  • Trip to the Moon (1902)
  • Read assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch three movies
  • Submit short response

2

1-4

Topics: The Studio and the Star System

  • The mechanics of stardom. Stars and culture.
  • Manufacturing of dreams. The majors and minors. The studio style.

Readings:

  • History of Film, Chapter 5, “The Hollywood Studio System” (Rutledge & Okpala, 2025)

Videos:

  • Annenberg Learner: The Studio System
  • Annenberg Learner: The Star
  • Read assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch two documentary videos
  • Submit paper topic proposal

3

1-4

Topic: Classical Hollywood Cinema: Narration

  •  Film form and character development. Ways to analysis film according to the mise-en-scene, camera work, sound and editing.
  • What is the Hollywood style?

Readings:

  • Film Appreciation: Editing, Book Pages 82-83 (Moss & Wilson, 2024)

Videos:

  • Annenberg Learner: The Hollywood Style (6:57 excerpt)
  • Choose ONE clip from one of these films:
    • Casablanca (1942),
    • Roman Holiday (1953),
    • Red River (1948),
    • The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
  • Read assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch the video and one film clip
  • Submit short response

4

1-4

Topics: A Postwar History: Hollywood, The Cold War, and The Age of Television

  • Communism, Hollywood and the American Way
  • The big decline: Hollywood loses its audience

Readings:

  • Piper-Burket (2017), “The History of America and Russia’s Cinematic Cold War”
  • Film Appreciation: Cinematography, Book Pages 68-69, and “Early Film Gimmicks,” Book Pages 72-73 (Moss & Wilson, 2024)

Videos:

  • Choose ONE clip from one of these films:
    • The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
    • Red Dawn (1984)
    • Rocky IV (1985)
  • Read assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch one film clip
  • Submit short response

5

1-4

Topic: The 1960’s and 70’s: The Counterculture Strikes Back and The Film School Generation

  • The New Hollywood: film school directors take over.
  • The rise of the blockbuster.

Readings:

  • Sharman (2020), “A Brief History of Cinema,” section “The New Hollywood,” in Moving Pictures

Videos:

  • Annenberg Learner: The Film School Generation
  • Choose ONE clip from one of these films:
    • American Graffiti (1973)
    • THX 1138 (1971)
    • Taxi Driver (1976)
    • The Conversation (1974)
  • Read assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch the video and one film clip
  • Submit short response

6

1-4

Topic: Film Noir: Somewhere in the Night and The American Comedy

  • Film Noir: noir aesthetics, the Production Code, and women in film noir.
  • Screwball Comedy: fast talk and the battle of the sexes as a way around the Production Code.

Readings:

  • Notebook Primer essays on Noir / Screwball Comedy (depending your genre choice).
  • Representation of Women in Film Noir (for students who choose Noir)

Videos:

  • Choose ONE clip from your genre:
  • Film Noir: Double Indemnity (1944), The Maltese Falcon (1941), Touch of Evil (1958), The Killing (1956)
  • Screwball Comedy: His Girl Friday (1940), Bringing Up Baby (1938), It Happened One Night (1934), The Lady Eve (1941)
  • Read assigned material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch one film clip
  • Submit Film Review

7

1-4

Topic: The Independent Film

  • Filmmakers working outside the studio. “Independent” films made by the studios

Readings:

  • Sharman (2020), “A Brief History of Cinema,” section “A New Hope,” in Moving Pictures

Videos:

  • Annenberg Learner: The Edge of Hollywood (watch ONE filmmaker’s section)
  • Choose ONE of these movies:
    • Daughters of the Dust (1991)
    • Slacker (1990),
    • Down by Law (1986)
    • Bottle Rocket (1996)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch one movie
  • Submit research paper

8

1-4

Topic: Into the 21st Century

  • Digital effects and the CGI debate.
  • How streaming has changed the way we watch movies.

Readings:

  • Film Appreciation: Animation, Book Pages 124-125 (Moss & Wilson, 2024)
  • Choose ONE article:
    • White et al. (2013), “Are Digital Effects, C.G.I., Ruining the Movies?” The New York Times
    • Wijaya (2017), “Why Filmmakers Should Focus More on Storytelling, Not Special Effects,” The Jakarta Post

Videos:

  • Choose ONE of these movies:
  • Reality+ (2014)
  • Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
  • District 9 (2009)
  • A Scanner Darkly (2006)
  • The Jungle Book (2016)
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Watch one movie
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.