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 University of Calgary Calendar 2023-2024 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION Course Descriptions F Film FILM
Film FILM
FILM 201 203 301 305 307 321 323 331 333 351 401 403 405 407 409 441 451 461 471 501 509 591 595 597
 

For more information about these courses see the Department of Communication, Media and Film website: arts.ucalgary.ca/communication-media-film.
 
Junior Courses
 
Film 201       Introduction to Film Studies
An introduction to the foundational issues and vocabulary of film studies explored through a wide range of filmic texts. Privileging questions of film technique and style, the course also considers cinema as an institution that comprises an industrial system of production, social and aesthetic norms and codes and particular modes of reception.
Course Hours: 3 units; (1-1T-3)
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Film 203       Introduction to Research in Film Studies
An in-depth introduction to conducting research in film studies, emphasizing critical viewing, reading and writing through the examination of a specific topic, such as a film genre, a national cinema, or a filmmaker.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Corequisite(s): Prerequisite or Corequisite: Film 201.
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Senior Courses
 
Film 301       Topics in National Cinema
Topics will explore various aspects of, or historical moments in, a particular nation's cinematic culture. Topics might include Quebecois cinema, current British cinema, German cinema Between the Wars, Canadian cinema, the History of Chinese cinema, etc.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 305       Topics in Genre
Topics will focus on the style, narrative form, and historical evolution of selected genres, for example, the Documentary, the Western, the Melodrama, the Musical, etc.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 307       Topics in Cinema and Gender Studies
Topics will explore the representation of gender and sexuality in cinema. Topics might include: Images of Women in the American 1940s, Lesbian Images in Current Cinema, The Queer 1950s, Comparative Images of Women in American and French Cinema, etc.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 321       History of Popular Cinema
An assessment of the various ways in which the history of film production can be approached, including the development of filmmaking technologies, evolutions in cinematic style and narrative traditions, particularly as they relate to popular cinema, and changing industrial practices.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201.
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Film 323       Issues in Film History
An introduction to key concepts in cinematic historiography. Emphasis will be placed upon non-traditional or non-canonical films and their relationship to dominant histories of filmmaking.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201.
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Film 331       Film Theory up to 1950
An introduction to theoretical perspectives on film before the mid-twentieth century. Connects film with broader debates on aesthetics, medium specificity, genre, and realism. Includes theories developed in the first half of the twentieth century related to Silent Film, Formalism, Montage, Critical Theory, and Auteur theories.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201.
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Film 333       Film Theory after 1950
An introduction to theoretical perspectives on film developed since the mid-twentieth century, specifically Structuralism, Linguistics, Psychoanalysis, Feminism, Post-structuralism, Cultural Studies, Post-colonialism and Queer Theory.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201.
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Film 351       Canadian Film
An introduction to key historical and theoretical aspects of Canadian film. Topics will include the study of Canadian film auteurs, documentary and social change, feature film genres, and the role of government regulations. Explores the central themes and issues facing Canadian filmmakers and audiences.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Film 351 and Canadian Studies 331 will not be allowed.
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Film 401       Topics in Film Theory
Topics will be organized around particular theorists, schools of theory, historical issues in film culture, or contemporary thought on film. Topics may include: Psychoanalysis and/as Film Theory; Kaja Silverman and Teresa de Lauretis; Modernism and Post-modernism; Feminist Film Theory; Queer Theory and Film; Post-colonial Theory and Film; Semiotics.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): Film 331 or 333.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 403       Topics in the Director's Cinema
Topics will examine the distinctive style and concerns of a particular director or directors.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 405       Advanced Topics in Film Genre
Topics will be organized around a specific film generic tradition.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201 and 3 units from 305 or 321.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 407       Experiential Learning in Film
Provides the opportunity to combine interests in film studies research with experiential learning opportunities in the community and workplace (internships, paid employment, approved film production training or volunteer position).
Course Hours: 3 units; (6-12 hours)
Prerequisite(s): Film 201, admission to the BA in Film Studies or the Bachelor of Film Studies and consent of the Department.
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Film 409       Special Topics in Film Studies
Topic may be historical, theoretical or analytical in emphasis.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): 3 units from Film 321, 331 or 333.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 441       The Film Festival
An exploration of the social practices (cultural tourism, tastemaking, identity formation, celebrity and star formation) and operational aspects (marketing, promotion, jurying, lobbying, audience cultivation) of film festivals. Students will be encouraged to participate in community service learning through volunteer opportunities with a particular festival.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): Film 321.
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Film 451       The Canadian Film Industry: National and Global Perspectives
A study of the nature of the Canadian film industry. Emphasis will be on the evolution of the Canadian motion picture industry in the twentieth century and how it is situated in contemporary popular culture. Other topics include Canada's historic relationship to Hollywood, the audience for Canadian films, the role of the state in funding, distribution and production systems, the impact of new technologies, and how the structure of Canada's film industry compares with those of other countries.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): 3 units of courses labelled Film, Communication and Media Studies, or Canadian Studies at the 300 level.
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Film 461       Film Audience and Reception
Explores aspects of spectatorship, audience and reception approaches as they intersect with the experience and study of cinema.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): 3 units from Film 321, 331 or 333.
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Film 471       Experimental Film and Video
Explores the genre of experimental film and video. Particular emphasis will be given to the history and evolution of works in this genre with attention to Canadian contributions and the impact of digital and new media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): 3 units from Film 321, 331 or 333.
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Film 501       Independent Research in Film Studies
Supervised individual study of a special topic.
Course Hours: 3 units; (12-36 hours)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 509       Advanced Special Topics in Film Studies
Selected topic in film studies suitable for advanced studies in the degree. Topic may be historical, theoretical or analytical in emphasis.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3) or (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): 6 units of courses labelled Film at the 400 level.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Film 591       Capstone Seminar in Film Studies
Explores the variety of ways in which film and the technologies of motion pictures connect with social life with reference to a specific topic. Completion of a major project that will integrate understanding of film theory, history and genres.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-3)
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the BA in Film Studies and 78 units, of which, 6 units must be taken from Film 321, 323, 331, or 333.
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Film 595       Honours Seminar
Individual research and seminar activities (e.g., critiques, presentations, and peer reviews of drafts) to produce a proposal and a paper to be used as the basis for the honours thesis.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2S-0) 
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BA Honours Film Studies.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Film 595 and Film 590 or Communication and Media Studies 590 will not be allowed.
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Film 597       Honours Thesis and Seminar
Supervised individual research and preparation of an honours thesis. Incorporating material from the Film 595 final paper, to complete the honours thesis. Seminar activities include progress reports, peer reviews, and support for poster presentations and oral exams.
Course Hours: 3 units; (1S-0)
Prerequisite(s): Film 595 and admission to BA Honours in Film Studies.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Film 597 and Film 590 or Communication and Media Studies 590 will not be allowed.
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Graduate Courses

For graduate courses, please see the listing in the Communication and Media Studies (COMS) section.