General Course Information

Understanding Media and Film — Spring 2017 —MSCR 2220:02 CRN#35987
Class: TF 1:35 – 3:15pm (Ryder Hall 452)
Course Attributes: NUpath Interpreting Culture, NU Core Writing Intsv in Majr
Course Prerequisites: MSCR 1220

N.B. This syllabus functions very much like a living document and the course website will reflect updates or changes to the syllabus, assignments, etc. The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course and deviations may be necessary. Thus, check the website regularly.

Course Description

This course is designed to complement other introductory courses in the Media and Screen Studies program. This course accepts that we comprehend much of our experience in and through media constructions and aims to assess this experience with an analytical approach to media texts and media as text. We will primarily focus on film and television by analyzing their various aesthetic, representational, and ideological forms. A combination of screenings, academic essays, and in-class discussions will provide insight about various analytical approaches to audiovisual media and how various media modalities construct or convey meaning. Above all else, this course requires that we analyze media through critical thinking and writing. To this end, we will focus on the execution of critical thinking through writing skills necessary for academic criticism.

Regarding the “Core Writing Intensive in Major” designation: This course is designed for students to develop and demonstrate critical thinking through writing. In this class, “critical thinking” is defined as identifying, analyzing, and evaluating arguments and truth claims; and formulating and presenting convincing reasons in support of conclusions. “Writing” refers to skills in developing clear, well-organized, and grammatically correct English prose. The emphasis throughout the research and writing process will be on ensuring that each student’s project achieves her/his rhetorical ends. All students must clearly articulate their rhetorical strategies in writing and revise their strategies based on feedback.

 

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Read and critically analyze research specific to media studies.
  • Define terms, concepts, and theories fundamental to the study of media.
  • Employ these terms, concepts, and theories in class discussion, film/media analysis, and academic writing.
  • Read and critically analyze research specific to media studies.
  • Write analytical/critical essays that show understanding of, engagement with, and thoughtful use of media studies vocabulary and concepts.
  • Plan, write, revise, and present an original argument about media, which should pursue a research question, proceed in an orderly fashion, engage with course readings/concepts, and rely on precise and relevant analysis of a media object.

The critical, argumentative, and written skills gained in this course are those required for upper-level courses as well as for other critical engagements with the world.

 

Required Texts

  • Readings, available online.
  • Media screenings outside of class (unless noted otherwise).

N.B. This course will contain materials some students may find offensive (e.g. controversial readings and/or media clips with foul language, nudity, sexual scenes, etc.). Review the syllabus carefully to determine your commitment to the course and the required readings/screenings.

Printable Syllabus (original version without web updates)