Cinema, Film and Media Appreciation

The aim of this 12 week course is to provide students with an overview of the history of cinema and the development of film as a medium of artistic expression.

It will involve lectures and discussion about some of the key developments in the history of cinema; montage, editing and sound and explore the ways these helped to shape the development of film as a new and exciting artistic and commercial enterprise.

Movies touch our hearts and awaken our vision, and change the way we see things – Scorsese.

We will explore a number of key stages in the history of cinema; the silent era, Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’, the European schools of filmmaking and ‘New’ Hollywood and examine the wider social, economic and cultural factors surrounding the development of each.

We will learn about some of the key ideas and concepts in the study of film; genre, representation, and study a number of key theories in media studies concerning media ownership and the use and effects of media. We will become familiar with the language of film; auteur, cinematography and mise en scene and gain an appreciation for how films are constructed.

• Students will learn about the history of cinema and development of film as means of artistic and commercial expression.
• Students will learn about the key developments in the history of cinema and explore how these helped to shape films overall development.
• Students will learn about a number of key movements in the history of cinema and examine the wider social, economic and cultural contexts of each.
• Students will learn some of the key ideas associated with the study of film and gain an understanding of some of the key issues and debates in media studies.
• Students will learn about the language of film and gain an appreciation for how films are constructed.

Each class will have a warm and friendly atmosphere and aim to discuss the various topics in a relaxed, jovial and stimulating way. A number of viewing titles will be recommended each week to be watched at students own discretion.

For anyone who has an interest in watching movies, going to the cinema and has wanted to engage in a thoughtful and light-hearted discussion about film.