Art and History of the Cinema
Brescia University, Art 382

COURSE DESCRIPTION
A course emphasizing the study of film in its historical perspective and as an art form. Students will recognize "the director", not only as a film maker, but the master artist in lead of a variety of specialized artists and artisans; in a manner quite similar to the traditional artist workshop. This workshop, so to speak, is a blend of both visual and performance oriented individuals. Through cooperative talent along with technological developments, a new twentieth century art form has emerged. Through historical research and direct experience with film, students will have the opportunity to rationalize and develop an understanding of cinema first hand.

REQUIRED TEXT The Oxford History of World Cinema, Nowell-Smith, Geoffrey, (editor) Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.

PREREQUISITE: Art Appreciation (Art180) or Art History Survey (280 or 281) or Advance standing in degree program or any upper division art history course/s.

COURSE OBJECTIVE
The objective of this course is for the student to develop a clear understanding of the art and history of the cinema. It is an objective for the student to comprehend the sequential history of the media, in terms of individual innovation and technological advances. In addition, a major focus of attention is the artistic value of film - a medium, that communicates ideas and expression, visually. Students will incorporate into their film experience the ability to critically analyze and recognize, the visual elements that co-relate with theme or concept.

COURSE OUTLINE

Session One: Early Cinema and The Silent Era

During this session students will be introduced to the cinema and its beginnings. Directions on analysis and critical writing on film will be given. Students will view, discuss, and write a critical analysis of two films from the silent era. Students will be assigned a director for their main research paper. Students will be assigned a film review, due second session.

Session Two: Sound Cinema and the Introduction of Color

During this session students will discern how technological developments in cinema vastly changed the art form. Students will view, discuss, and write a critical analysis of two films from the sound era. Students will be assigned a film to review, due third session.

Session Three: Modern Cinema

Film review due. Research paper due. During this session students will analyze modern cinema, focusing on the refinement and variety of approaches utilized by directors in presenting their art. Students will view, discuss, and write a critical analysis of two films from the modern era.

ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Assignment grade % value.
Pre-assignment paper. 10%
Six in-class papers. 50%
Two outside reviews. 20%
Research paper on a director. 20%

Writing papers: Writing papers is a major means of communicating knowledge, ideas, and critical analysis in this course. In writing papers, take notes on your subject as you read and use an outline to organize your ideas and research. This approach will allow you to present your subject in your own fashion, communicating through your own words. Papers in which information is continually taken directly from another individual's authorship without metamorphosis of idea will be graded accordingly.

Pre-assignment: Write a (2 typed pages, 12 point font) paper on the early developments of the cinema. Use "The Early Years", p.6-42 and "The Rise of Hollywood", p.43-70, from your text as your main source. Feel free to utilize other sources to develop your paper. In this paper focus on the individuals and innovations you feel are significant. In your reading consider where things happened, particularly in terms of country, individuals, and technology.

Outside of class reviews: Students will be required to view two assigned films outside of class and write a critical review (2 typed pages, 12 point font) on the film. The criteria for this assignment will be discussed in class.

In class papers: Discussion on the criteria for these papers will be held in class. (Normally: 1 to 2 hand written pages).

Research paper on a director: Students will be assigned to write (5 typed pages, 12 point font) research paper on a director assigned during the first class. Criteria includes: biographical information, innovations, successes/failures, films, and influences (artistic, cultural, and social). Students should site sources and include a bibliography.

Method of evaluation: Students will be evaluated by their completion of assignments in a timely manner. Written and oral responses to questions and assignments presented to the student are expected to reflect the knowledge gained from class lectures and presentation, individual study, and assigned readings.

Reading Assignments

Part I. Silent Cinema
The Early Years, p. 6-42
The Rise of Hollywood, p. 43-70
The Silent Film, p. 71-111
National Cinema
French Silent Cinema, p. 112-123
Italy: Spectacle and Melodrama, p. 124-130
British Cinema from Hepworth to Hitchcock, p. 130-136
Germany: The Weimar Years, p.136-151
The Silent Cinema Experience, p. 183-204
Reading to be completed before second session, July 22th:

Part II. Sound Cinema
Introduction, p.207-219
Studio Years, p.220-276
Genre Cinema, p.276-321
National Cinemas, p.344-352
Italy from Fascism to New Realism, p.353-361
Britain at the End of the Empire, p.361-374
The Post-war World, p.436-460

Part III. Modern Cinema
Introduction, p.463-465
Cinema in the Age of Television, p.466-496
American Movies, p. 497-526
Cinemas of the World
New Directions in French Cinema, p.576-586
Italy: Auteurs and After, p. 586-596
Resurgence of Cinema, p.759-766

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barsam, Lewis, The Movies as Medium. NY: Doubleday, 1977.

Cinema, A Critical Dictionary, V. 1 and 2, Roud, Richard, editor. London:Seck and Warburg, 1980.

Fell, John, Film, An Introduction. NY: Praeger Publishing, 1975.

Fulton, A.R., Motion Pictures. Norman, OK: Oklahoma Press, 1960.

Hutchinson, Tom, Screen Goddess. NY: Exeter Books, 1984.

Jacobs, Lewis, The Movies as Medium. NY: Doubleday, 1970.

Leish, Kenneth, Cinema. NY: Newsweek Books, 1974.

New York Times Film Reviews.

Sinyard, Neil, Silent Movies. NY: Gallery Books, 1990.