Course Description
This course will focus on "women and film" in an international perspective. The course will examine selected films with regard to the representation of women on screen, women's filmmaking as critical practice, and issues in feminist film theory and criticism. The course includes perspectives on Hollywood cinema, independently produced American, and international films. Students will learn how to analyze films. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- 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.
- Identify gender specific topics covered in films.
- Enhance critical thinking about gendered aspects of our own life and how they are represented in mainstream and independently produced movies.
- Look at mainstream movie productions differently after studying aspects of international films and American made movies with international themes.
- Respond to movies in a more reflective and critical way after completing this course.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-8 @30 points) | 240 | 24% |
Short Response Assignments (Weeks 1, 2, 5 and 7 @ 60 points) | 240 | 24% |
Research Paper Proposal (Week 3) | 60 | 6% |
Research Paper (Week 6) | 240 | 24% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 220 | 22% |
Total | 1000 | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak's online bookstore
- Bordwell and Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction. 12th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2020. ISBN-10: 1-260-48512-9 or ISBN-13: 978-1-260-48512-7
- Erens, Patricia. Issues in Feminist Film Criticism. Indiana University Press, 1990. ISBN-10: 0-253-20610-3 or ISBN-13: 978-0-253-20610-7
Additional Materials
Additional articles will be made available in the Course Documents section of the course
Films - Students are expected to watch the films each week.
- Students are expected to seek access to films either via their public library; Netflix; Redbox; Amazon Prime; TV and/or buy films.
Late Policy
- Written papers submitted late will receive a 3-point deduction for each day it is late for up to three days. After three days, the assignment will no longer be accepted. Final exam is not accepted after the due date.
- Discussion board posts will not be accepted after the end of the assigned week. Each week ends on Sunday.
- Short responses will not be accepted after the end of the assigned week.
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1, 2, 3 | Topic: WOMEN AND REPRESENTATION
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2 | 1, 2, 3, 5 | Topic: VISUAL PLEASURE
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3 | 1, 2, 3, 5 | Topic: MALE GAZE
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4 | 1, 2, 3, 5 | Topic: NARRATIVE CONVENTIONS
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5 | 1, 2, 3, 5 | Topic: CLASSICAL HOLLYWOOD CINEMA
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6 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Topic: FILM NOIR
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7 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Topic: INTERNATIONAL CINEMA: DIVERSITY OF WOMEN'S VOICES
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8 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Topic: WOMEN IN HORROR FILMS: THE POWER OF THE FINAL GIRL
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Final Exam SLOs 1-5 | |||
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.