COMM-2366 Introduction to Cinema
RJ LaForce
Credit Fall 2025
Section(s)
COMM-2366-017 (20270)
LEC DIL ONL DIL
LAB DIL ONL DIL
COMM-2366-018 (20271)
LEC DIL ONL DIL
LAB DIL ONL DIL
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
COURSE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
1. Analyze film through oral and written response.
2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of film history, form, and genre.
3. Describe the collaborative nature of cinema and the many jobs required to develop a motion picture.
4. Discuss/describe the relationship of cinema to society as it relates to his/her perspective.
GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the general education component of an associate’s degree, students will demonstrate competence in:
· Civic and Cultural Awareness - Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society; comparing, contrasting, and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices
· Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.
· Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
· Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
· Personal Responsibility - Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices; demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking, and personal responsibility.
· Technology Skills - Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze and present information.
Course Subjects
Week 1: Class Intro + Film as Language
Week 2: Film History, Part I
Week 3: Film History, Part II
Week 4: Film History, Part III
Week 5: Film History, Part IV
Week 6: Narrative & Theme
Week 7: Mise-en-scéne
Week 8: Narrative and Mise-en-scéne revisited
Week 9: Cinematography
Week 10: Editing
Week 11: Sound Design
Week 12: Acting
Week 13: Genre
Week 14: Genre (cont’d)
Week 15: Other Types of Films
Week 16: Review / Final Test
Course Requirements
GRADES
Your final grade will be calculated from grades received on papers, a final test from the text and class lectures, from your attendance record, and from other possible individual and group projects.
Graded Assignments
Attendance 20
Post-Screening Responses 20
Journals (2 total) 20
Term Paper. 20
Test 20
____
Total 100
TERM PAPER
You will write one long form paper this semester. The paper should be 5-7 pages in length. College level writing and grammar is expected as well as a traditional format of font (Times New Roman or Arial), size (12pt), and double spacing. If you cite sources please use MLA format. You will lose a letter grade for each day your paper is late.
TEST
There will be one final test at the end of the semester that will survey the entire course, but will have its written portion focus on the issues of Genre. This test will count toward 20% of your final grade. The test will be made available during the final week of class via Blackboard. Make-up test may be issued on a case-by-case basis.
JOURNAL ENTRIES
You will also be required to complete journal entries, each 2-3 pages in length. These will most likely connect, in some form, to your two papers.
POST-SCREENING RESPONSES
After all screenings you will be asked to give a post-screening response via Blackboard. Responses will include your general thoughts about the film, but also specific elements that connect to lecture and course material.
Course Policies
COMMUNICATION
Please make sure to continually monitor your ACC email as well as Blackboard!
All course communication will be through e-mail and/or Blackboard. This includes information about classes, assignments, readings, grades, etc.
FILM SCREENINGS / RESOURCES
Film screenings are mandatory and vital to this course!
Every week you will be expected to attend film screenings and be able to engage in analysis about them in writing and in classroom discussions.
POLICY ON FILM & MEDIA SCREENINGS
The films and short subjects screened in this course reflect a diverse range of content and form. Some of this content and imagery may be more challenging or provoking than others. However, it has been thoughtfully curated and has been chosen to encourage discourse and critical thinking. Students are asked to review a synopsis and content breakdown of these films before each screening. This can be done at IMDB.com where details of a film's contents are listed under the Parents Guide section of a film's information. If upon reviewing the content, you feel it will cause you legitimate distress for any reason, please notify your instructor in advance. You will not be penalized in any way for bringing up these concerns. The objective of the films shown in this course is always to encourage discourse and critical thinking.
Office Hours
T Th 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Highland Campus or Online
NOTE You can also reach out to meet at a time outside of my usual office hoursPublished: 07/07/2025 10:39:10