Film Studies

Units: 1

Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

Introduces the methodology of film studies through close textual analysis of narrative film. Special attention paid to the international history of the medium, the language of production, and major critical approaches. (Same as ENGL 220.)

Units: 1

The art and technique of film production, including the fundamental principles of shot composition, lighting, sound, and editing and development of critical and aesthetic sensibilities.

Units: 1

Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

Survey of German cinema from the 1930s to the present emphasizing the historical and cultural context in which the films were produced. (Same as LLC 265.)

Units: 1

Intensive film production course for students with previous filmmaking experience. Includes sophisticated technical and aesthetic skills involved in professional level film production through writing, producing, and directing narrative films.

Film Studies 202

Units: 1

Experience in the creation and preparation of a major annual cultural event, the French Film Festival presented by the University of Richmond and VCU, leading to significant enhancement of knowledge of contemporary cinema and culture, exposure to production and distribution models, and to cultural management. (Same as FREN 467.)

Either FMST 201 or 202.

Units: 1

Study of prominent examples of Latin American film production with special attention paid to aesthetic aspects of cinematographic language and cultural questions embodied in the films examined. (Same as LAIS 371.)

For LAIS majors/minors: LAIS 309. For FMST majors/minors: FMST 201 or 202 with a grade of C or better.

Units: 1

The course examines several different approaches to understanding what is unique the film medium as a both an expressive art and a social and critical discourse. Models include the classic theories of realism of André Bazin and Siegfried Kracuer; the social and material history of Walter Benjamin, Theodor Adorno, and the Frankfurt School; feminism and gender studies; phenomenology; sound in cinema; critical race theory and whiteness studies; and digital media, among others. (Same as English 374.)

Film Studies 201 or English 220, 297, or 298 with a grade of C or better.

Units: 1

Application of skills outside of the department in areas related to film studies. Possibilities might include working for a film festival or film series, on a film under production, or in associated fields. No more than one unit may apply towards the degree.

Departmental approval

Units: 1

Selected topics in film studies (such as various national cinemas; the significance of particular directors, schools, or movements; period designations, or thematic approaches) for students pursuing a Film Studies major.

Units: .5-1

Individually designed course of study supervised by a faculty member.

Department Approval

Units: 1

Required seminar for majors taken in junior or senior year. Seminar focused around the in-depth study of an individual topic, culminating in a substantial research paper. Topics and instructors vary from semester to semester.

Film Studies 201 or English 220 with a grade of C or better

Units: 0

Documentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 8 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.

Approval for summer Arts and Sciences fellowship by faculty mentor