Course Descriptions

CINE-1 Cinema History - Origins Through the Coming of Sound
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An introduction to the study of film history from cinema’s origins in the 1890s through the widespread transition to sound-on-film technology. Students will consider the historical, production, distribution, exhibition, cultural, and aesthetic contexts of varying cinematic movements from several different parts of the world. The bulk of this course centers on silent cinema, with attention paid at the end of the course to the development of sound. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L

CINE-2 Cinema History - Coming of Sound to the Present
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An introduction to the study of film history from just after the coming of sound to the present. Students will consider the historical, production, distribution, exhibition, cultural, and aesthetic contexts of varying cinematic movements from several different parts of the world. The bulk of this course centers on post-WWII cinema in the United States and Western Europe. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L

CINE-3 Cinemas of Latin America, Asia, and Africa
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC A survey course of film history outside of the western world, specifically, the films of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Mexico and Cuba. We will examine the historical, social, political and film industry environments in which each film was created, and we will identify recurring themes, motifs, techniques, and aesthetic choices that contribute to a regional or national style. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L

CINE-6 Selected Film Authors
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU and UC Repeatable to a maximum of three enrollments A focused study on the career and body of work of a selected film author (director). The course will examine the historical, social, and film industry environment in which the director worked, and will identify recurring themes, motifs, techniques, and aesthetic choices that define that particular director’s artistic style. (Featured director may vary from one semester to the next.)

CINE-8 Screenwriting
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU An examination of dramatic structure as defined by Aristotle, practiced by Shakespeare, and applied in the modern screenplay. The course will study two films in their screenplay and finished film forms, focusing on the writers’ techniques. Students will practice dramatization and visualization techniques via writing assignments, and each will complete the first act of an original screenplay. Recommended: ENGL-1A

CINE-10 History of Cinema Comedy
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC Study of the history of comedy 1893 to present. Lectures, films, film clips and readings will explore the impact of the early film comedians: Chaplin, Keaton, Langdon, Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy to the modern generation of Lewis, Sellars, Murray, Williams and Candy.