SRJC Course Outlines

12/8/2024 11:09:26 PMFMA 14 Course Outline as of Summer 2025

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  FMA 14Title:  EARLY FILM HISTORY  
Full Title:  Early Film History
Last Reviewed:1/22/2018

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum4.00Lecture Scheduled4.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled70.00
Minimum4.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total4.00 Contact Total70.00
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  140.00Total Student Learning Hours: 210.00 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  MEDIA 14

Catalog Description:
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A survey of international film history from pre-cinema machines to the 1950s with emphasis upon D.W. Griffith, German Expressionism, Soviet Montage, film genres, and the Hollywood Studio System.  The course will also cover the historical evolution of the narrative form, as well as the development of formal devices such as the shot, mise-en-scène, editing, and sound design.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent and Course Completion of FMA 10 ( or MEDIA 10)

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
A survey of international film history from pre-cinema machines to the 1950s with emphasis upon D.W. Griffith, German Expressionism, Soviet Montage, film genres, and the Hollywood Studio System.  The course will also cover the historical evolution of the narrative form, as well as the development of formal devices such as the shot, mise-en-scène, editing, and sound design.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent and Course Completion of FMA 10 ( or MEDIA 10)
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 2012
Inactive: 
 Area:E
Humanities
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 C1ArtsFall 2012
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 3AArtsFall 2012
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2012Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2012Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.  Differentiate among the various movements in international film history through the 1950s.
2.  Evaluate the impact of historical movements, social and cultural trends, and new
     technologies on the development of motion pictures.

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
 
1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of American and international film history from the
     silent era to the 1950s.
2. Recognize and distinguish films according to the period in which they were produced.
3. Examine the evolving art of the motion picture in social, cultural, artistic, technological,
     and economic contexts.
4. Evaluate the contributions of significant historical movements and filmmakers in shaping
     the history of motion pictures.
5. Relate the transformation of film technology to the evolution of film form, with particular
     attention to narrative and aesthetic developments.

Topics and Scope
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I.   The Birth of Motion Pictures
    A. Technological inventions and evolution
    B. Rise of studio system and industry
    C. Aesthetic evolution from documentary to fictional film
II.  Development of Film Grammar
    A. Beginnings of film narrative
    B. Use of separate shots, camera angles
    C. Storytelling without sound
III. International Contributions to Early Film History
    A. French -- Lumiere Brothers, Georges Melies: reality vs. fantasy
    B. D.W. Griffith -- maturing technique and narrative
IV. Early U.S. Film Industry
    A. Star system
    B. Feature film
    C. Business practices
    D. Women in the industry
    E. Evolution as entertainment and cultural force
V. German Expressionism/Soviet Montage
    A. The influence of German mis-en-scene on American art film, horror, film noir
    B. The Soviet experiments in montage: Kuleshov, Pudhovin, Eisenstein
         1. Cinema as propaganda
         2. The Kuleshov effect
VI. Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s
    A. Major/minor studios
    B. Genres
         1. Musicals
         2. Comedies
         3. Westerns
         4. Women's pictures
         5. Film Noir
    C. Star system evolution
    D. Importance of production technique
    E. Coming of sound -- technology and aesthetics
VII.  Film during World War II
    A. Leni Riefenstahl and German propaganda
    B. The American "Why We Fight" series
    C. Hollywood involvement in the War effort
VIII. Hollywood in the 1950s
    A. House Un-American Activities Committee
    B. Supreme Court rulings -- Paramount decree
    C. Impact of TV
    D. Impact of wide-screen and color
    E. Production Code
IX. International Film
    A. Japanese Cinema
    B. Italian Neo-Realism
    C. Emergence of Third World Cinema

Assignments:
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1. Weekly reading assignments from 40 to 60 pages
2. Two to four critical essays, totaling 10 to 20 pages, one requiring research
3. Two to three exams including final exam
4. Optional individual or group presentation or final project
5. Other assignments may include journals, film reviews, quizzes, blogs, etc.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
35 - 65%
Written homework, Essays, Term papers
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
35 - 65%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion or essay
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 20%
Class Participation, Group Projects, Presentations, Final Project


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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A History of Film. 8th ed. Wexman, Virginia. Allyn & Bacon. 2018
A Short History of the Movies. 11th ed. Mast, Gerald and Kawin, Bruce.  Pearson. 2011 (classic)
Film History, An Introduction. 3rd ed. Thompson, Kristin and Bordwell, David. McGraw-Hill. 2009 (classic)
Flashback, A Brief History of Film. 6th ed. Giannetti, Louis and Eyman, Scott.  Pearson. 2009 (classic)

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