Film Criticism

Course Code:

RTC 200

Course Type:

Elective

P:

3

Lab:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

5

Course Language:

English

Courses given by:

Lalehan Öcal

Course Objectives:

Main objective of this course is to develop the writing skills in film critique. This course aims to build-up the critical skills orally and particularly in writing to be able to evaluate the films as a whole, to discover how details, scenes and sequences serve to the whole meaning; to detect the styles and themes of the products of filmmaking; to discuss and to write about film culture. It is designed to provide the necessary tools to interpret films as collaborative art works, as technical artifacts, as sociocultural and ideological productions, and as products of a globalized media world.

Course Content:

In this class students use film as an object for cultural and critical analysis. This is a basic course in film literacy, concentrating on the history, techniques, genres, theory and criticism of films. In order to analyze and to evaluate the content and form of the films, various conceptual, theoretical and analytic approaches will be visited. This will also enhance to better appreciate and express the understanding of films, along with their social and cultural mutual influence. Students are expected to produce a variety of in-class and take-home writing assignments for professional, critical and academic purposes.

Course Methodology:

1: Lecture, 2: Interactive Lecture, 9: Demonstration, 15: Assignment

Course Evaluation Methods:

C: Assignment

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1) Defines criticism; acknowledges the distinctions and develops the writing skills in film review, theoretical essay and/or critical essay	1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9	1, 2, 9, 15	C
2) Associates the influence of cultural, historical, industrial, institutional, but also economic, politic and social dynamics in the texts and the film making	1, 3, 5, 6, 7	1, 2, 9, 15	C
3) Understands and uses the vocabulary and jargon of the medium	3, 4, 7	1, 2, 9, 15	C
4) Analyzes the unity of theme, content and form of a film as a creative text, in cultural, esthetical, ideological, socioeconomic, sociopolitical, historical and intellectual contexts	1, 3, 7, 8	1, 2, 9,1 5	C
5) Discusses, analyzes and expresses the fictional and dramatic elements of film; and recognizes how visual composition and sound heightens the viewer response, and depicts and proves a director’s style	3, 4, 7, 8	1, 2, 9, 15	C

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Introduction to the course
2	Defining film criticism
3	Writing about film. Examples of film reviews	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.17-30
4	Reading and writing a film from different perspectives	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.156-180.
5	To Get Prepared in order to Begin Writing	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.31-40.
6	Basic Terminology and Concepts I Film Studies	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.41-63.
7	Basic Terminology and Concepts II Film Studies	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.17-30.
8	Theoretical Approaches I Film History / History	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.93-122.
9	Theoretical Approaches II Auteur / Genre
10	Theoretical Approaches III Philosophy / Sociology	Corrigan, T. (2013) 124-132.
11	Theoretical Approaches IV Politics / Ideology	Corrigan, T. (2013) 132-156
12	Midterm	Film review
13	Theoretical Approaches V Gender / Ethnicity	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.181-218.
14	Theoretical Approaches VI Cultural Studies / Identity	Corrigan, T. (2013) p.219-240.
15	Evaluation	Film review
16	Final Exam

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook	* Corrigan, T. (2013) Film Eleştirisi: El Kitabı, Ahmet Gürata (çev.), Ankara: Dipnot Yayınları. * Corrigan, T. (2014) A Short Guide to Writing about Film. NY: Pearson.
Additional Resources	* Kabadayı, Lale (2013) Film Eleştirisi: Kuramsal Çerçeve ve Sinemamızdan Örnek Çözümlemeler, İstanbul: Ayrıntı * Gocsik, K. & Barsam, R. & Monahan, D. (2013) Writing About Movies. NY & London: Norton & Company. (3rd Ed.)
	Las Hurdes, Luis Buñuel, 1932, Spain, 27’ The Cow, Dairush Mehrjui, 1969, Iran, 100’ Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder, 1950, USA, 110’ The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin, 1940, USA, 124’ Cabaret, Bob Fosse, 1972, USA, 124’ A Special Day, Ettore Scola, 1977, Italy, 110’ Amadeus, Milos Forman, 1984, USA, 161’ Shawshank Redemption, Frank Darabont, 1994, USA, 142’ Safe, Todd Haynes, 1995, UK/USA, 119’ Demolition, Jean-Marc Vallee, 2015, USA, 101’

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents	https://classroom.google.com
Assignments
Exams	https://classroom.google.com yulearn.yedtepe.edu.tr

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	1	60
Assignments	6	30
Discussions	14	10
Total		100
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade		50
Contribution of In-Term Studies to Overall Grade		50
Total		100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Defines basic concepts, theories, methods, and domains of study specific to radio, television and cinema by associating them with the findings and theories of humanities and social sciences.				X
2	Demonstrates the responsibilities, effective participation, coordination, and planning skills essential for harmonious and efficient teamwork in the production processes relative to the radio, television and cinema fields.
3	Generates media products in accordance with professional standards in various narrative forms and genres specific to the field by synthesizing up-to-date knowledge and skills for expertise acquired through applied and theoretical courses.				X
4	Manifests professional knowledge and such skills as copywriting, image management, editing, sound design, producing and directing, media management in different fields of radio, television and cinema locally and globally.					X
5	Holds responsibility in broadcasting by integrating national and international rules of law that media professionals should pursue with professional ethical principles.	X
6	Comprehends the knowledge and skills related to institutional operation and management in the production and broadcasting processes of radio, television and cinema for the common interest.	X
7	Evaluates radio, television and cinema fields analytically and critically from their institutional structuring to products regarding a wide range of cultural, artistic, economic, and social relations.					X
8	Has the ability to collect visual, audio and written data, conduct research, evaluate, report and offer creative solutions in the fields of radio, television and cinema.					X
9	Develops original projects for radio, television and cinema by following new technologies, developments, and ideas in the fields of art, culture, and media at the national and global planes.	X

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	14	3	42
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	4	56
Mid-term	1	3	3
Assignments	6	3	18
Final exam	1	3	3
Total Workload			122
Total Workload / 25 (h)			4,9
ECTS Credit of the Course			5

None

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