In our intensely visual culture, it has become increasingly important
for viewers to become aware of how the media work.  This course is
designed to teach students visual literacy in relation to two media
which are omnipresent in their everyday lives: film and television.
We will examine how these media are made, studying cinematography,
lighting, special effects, editing, sound, and other aspects of
style.   We encourage the mastery of terminology as a first step
toward visual literacy.  As you learn to recognize the technical and
artistic components of film and television, you will also gain
analytical and critical skills--the ability to study specific films
and TV shows closely, relating their style to their meaning.  THus,
this course emphasizes both visual literacy and critical thinking as
essential to becoming an active viewer in the complicated media mix
that defines contemporary culture.
Throughout the course, we will discuss a variety of films and TV
shows, as they demonstrate the key principles of storytelling, as
well as the traditions of documentrary and avant-garde.  One of the
purposes of Cl90 is to introduce students to different kinds of film
and television as they represent significant work from the histories
of both media.  We will see works from classic and contemporary
Hollywood, as well as foreign and independent fare.   Each week, we
screen a film or a television show that will serve as the basis of
discussion for that week's particular topic.
Cl90 is designed with a wide variety of student interests in mind.
It should appeal to those who are intrigued by cinema or television
and simply want to learn more about them, as well as to those who
plan to emphasize media in their studies at IU or prepare for a
career in the industry.   Readings are comprised of a textbook and a
packet of essays.  In addition, there will be three or four exams,
including the final, and a series of short papers.