Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: ART CINEMA ISN'T BORING (JONES)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: What constitutes “art cinema” and what advantages does it offer as a form of artistic expression? Arthouse films get their name from the “arthouse” cinemas they play in, as opposed to blockbuster theaters. But the key to an art film is that it is about the artistic vision of its director, as opposed to an entertaining formula. These types of films can sometimes be written off as pretentious or boring. However, they are an entirely unique visual and aural route to engage with ideas on human nature itself. A film like Parasite indicates the potential that they have to make mainstream splashes. Watching art cinema can and should be an entirely exciting experience. Throughout the semester, we will be looking at some of the most acclaimed arthouse films from various countries around the world, gaining an appreciation for their context in larger cinematic movements. Students will analyze the directorial choices in these films and explore if they are making any significant statements beyond the surface of the film. By the end of the course, we will all have heightened our appreciation of these movies as a tool for personal expression, and students will be motivated to further explore uncharted cinematic territory. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for COLL 199 if student has credit for UNIV 235.