Film Studies
FLM 1000: The Art of Film (5)
Offerings
The goal of this course is to develop students' abilities to view films critically and to deepen their understanding of the film experience. The course first teaches analysis of narrative strategies, shot properties, mise-en-scene, editing, acting, and the use of sound in film, particularly classical Hollywood cinema. The course then focuses on the study of different genres of films and how cinematic elements create meaning.
FLM 2001: Film History I: Beginnings-1960 (5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: COM/TRE 3780. This course provides an historical overview of the development of the Hollywood studio system in U.S. popular culture. At its heart, it鈥檚 a course that focuses on history, economics, and film aesthetics. We鈥檒l examine a range of films and readings to address issues such as the following: How did the studio system evolve and what roles did it play in shaping the content of American movies and the images of screen actors? What does the popularity of certain movies and actors reveal about different moments in American history?
Restrictions: Film Studies Majors only.
Prerequisites: COM 3780: D or better
OR TRE 3780: D or better
FLM 2002: Film History II: American Film 1960-Present (5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: COM/TRE 3780. This course addresses and analyzes a range of latter 20th鈥揺arly 21st century cinematic developments in the context of major transitions in the American film industry and in society. Among the trends we鈥檒l examine are the dominant stylistic and ideological models of classical Hollywood, the influence of the French New Wave on American cinema in the late 1960s; the emergence of the New Hollywood and the early film school generation of the 1970s, as well as the eventual emphasis on blockbusters and independent filmmaking.
Restrictions: Film Studies Majors only.
Prerequisites: COM 3780: D or better
OR TRE 3780: D or better
FLM 3000: Directors and Genres (5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: FLM 2001 or 2002. This course provides an in-depth study of a small number of major topics. Typically, the coverage will involve one unit each on a director and/or genre. One feature film is seen and discussed each week. Sample topics include the films of Sydney Pollack, the films of Kathryn Bigelow, the Film Noir genre, James Cagney and the Gangster Film, John Ford and the Western, and so forth.
Attributes: Upper-Division
Restrictions: Film Studies Majors only. Freshman students are excluded.
Prerequisites: FLM 2001: D or better
OR FLM 2002: D or better
FLM 3003: Documentary Film (5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: COM/TRE 3780. This course examines the meanings and visual composition of works produced by documentary directors. Documentaries often aim to capture unmediated social reality, and this course explores the strategies taken by filmmakers to achieve their desired goals.
Attributes: Upper-Division
Restrictions: Film Studies Majors only. Freshman students are excluded.
Prerequisites: COM 3780: D or better
OR TRE 3780: D or better
FLM 3781: A World on Film (5)
Offerings
Prerequiste: FLM 1000. This course explores a range of international films. We will take a comparative, case-study approach to show how movies variously represent the vision and values of filmmakers around the world. Thus, this course is a grand survey of movies that aims through viewing, discussing, reading, and writing about foreign films to teach critical thinking about and appreciation of film art and international filmmaking.
Equivalents: COM 3781
Attributes: Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
Restrictions: Freshman, Sophomore students are excluded.
Prerequisites: FLM 1000: D or better
FLM 3800: Film Production (5)
Offerings
Prerequisites: ART 1107 and 3700. This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of film production and will facilitate competency in writing, producing and editing fiction and nonfiction moving image production projects. Students will learn the craft of visual storytelling and the process of video production.
Equivalents: ART 3800
Attributes: Upper-Division
Restrictions: Film Studies Majors only.
Prerequisites: ART 1107: D or better
AND ART 3700: D or better
Fees:
Art Course Fee (refundable)
FLM 4100: CCCU: Film Studies - Theology in Hollywood (4.5-6)
Offerings
Encourages the development of the necessary skills for analysis of the culture of Hollywood, its role in popular culture and the theological intersections therein. Seeks theological engagement with the culture of Hollywood and cinema by investigating some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of film upon theology. Presents information in four modules, each building on the content of the previous module: 1) an analysis of the culture of Hollywood; 2) a study of theology/Bible and engagement with Hollywood and cinema; 3) Christian ethics and the culture of Hollywood; and 4) a capstone examination of Christian vocation in Hollywood. All students participate in a team-taught lecture seminar led by a professor of theology. Students also participate in small group tutorials, service learning, and discussions.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4120: CCCU: Film Studies - Hollywood Production Workshop (4-6)
Offerings
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Taught through semester-long program of the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles. An introduction to the theory and practice of motion picture filmmaking. Topics include familiarity with filmmaking equipment; basic motion picture techniques; converting idea to image; the use of lighting, editing and sound in film; and the role of acting, directing and good storytelling in the filmmaking process. Students make several short super 8mm films that manifest their faith in content and process.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4135: LA Film Studies: Faith and Artistic Development in Film (4.5)
Offerings
See www.bestsemester.com for current description.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4140: Screenwriting (4.5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Taught through semester-long program of the coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles. An introduction to contemporary screenwriting, including an understanding of dramatic structure, character and dialogue development, and the writing process. Students complete a full-length screenplay for a feature film or "movie-of-the-week." Emphasis is given to the role of Christian faith and values as they relate to script content.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4160: LA Film Studies: Narrative Storytelling (4.5)
Offerings
See www.bestsemester.com for current description.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4170: Los Angeles Film Studies: Professional Acting for the Camera (4.5)
Offerings
See current description at www.bestsemester.com.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4604: Writing Film Criticism (5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: FLM 3000. This course develops students' abilities to think, write, and express ideas effectively and creatively through the study and practice of film criticism. Film criticism at best is an activity that engages the critic, aesthetically, psychologically, morally, emotionally, and politically. Our study of aesthetic and critical practices will provide valuable tools in our larger exploration of the relationship between knowledge, values, artistic expression, and vocation choices. We will examine reviews by leading U.S. film critics whose work has appeared in wide-circulation periodicals over the past 75 years, as well as associated films.
Equivalents: COM 4604
Attributes: Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
Restrictions: Communication, Film Studies Majors only. Junior, Senior students only.
Prerequisites: FLM 3000: D or better
FLM 4900: CCCU: Film Studies - Independent Study (4)
Offerings
This course may be setup by special request and arrangement. In order to be considered students may submit a portfolio and a project proposal. Students with approved projects will be appointed a mentor who is a professional in the Hollywood industry to supervise the project. Projects could include further development of a portfolio or reel, critical research, or a senior thesis project.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4910: CCCU: Film Studies - Motion Picture Production (4-5)
Offerings
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Taught through semester-long program of the coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles. An introduction to the process of producing an independent feature film. Topics include legal structures, business plans, preproduction activities such as scheduling and budgeting, and an overview of the producer's role in production, post-production, and distribution. Attention is given to the Christian's unique contribution to producing.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4943: Internship (9)
Offerings
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Taught through semester-long program of the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles. Students participate in an internship experience in some aspect of the Hollywood film or television industry. These are non-paying positions primarily in an office setting such as development companies, agencies, personal management companies, production offices, etc. Students work 20 to 24 hours a week throughout the length of the semester. The internships do not include positions on actual filmmaking locations. Instead, students work in offices as support personnel to producers, writers, directors, agents, post-production personnel, and others involved in the total process of producing and distributing a major motion picture. The LAFSC provides interns to many of the major companies within Hollywood.
Attributes: Upper-Division
FLM 4950: Special Topics in Film Studies (5)
Offerings
Prerequisites: FLM 2001 and 2002. This course will have a rotating topic, for example: Women in Film - This course provides an examination of films directed by women. Starting from the 1920s to the present, the course considers themes, aesthetics, historical contexts, and cultural discourse presented in movies directed by women.
May be repeated for credit 3 times.
Attributes: Upper-Division
Restrictions: Freshman students are excluded.
Prerequisites: FLM 2001: D or better
AND FLM 2002: D or better