AMST 2760 - Survey of American Film

(crosslisted)
(also FILM 2760, VISST 2300) (LA-AS)

Fall. 4 credits.

Each student must enroll in a section and attend one screening per week.

S. Haenni.

Focusing mostly on Hollywood film, this course introduces the study of American cinema from multiple perspectives: as an economy and mode or production; as an art form that produces particular aesthetic styles; as a cultural institution that comments on contemporary issues and allows people to socialize. We will consider the rise of Hollywood in the age of mass production; the star system; the introduction of sound and the function of the soundtrack; Hollywood’s rivalry with television; censorship; the rise of independent film, etc. Weekly screenings introduce students to film analysis and major American genres (the gangster film, the musical, the Western, slapstick comedy, etc.) Screenings include films by Alfred Hitchcock, John Ford, Howard Hawks, Quentin Tarantino and others, and are supplemented by contextual readings. This course is also designated as a University Course. Please visit blogs.cornell.edu/universitycourses/ for further information. (LT)