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Special Topics Seminar: Film Criticism

Course: 
FILM 194S-02
Quarter: 
Spring
Academic Year: 
2018-19
Days: 
MW
Times: 
10:00am-12:00pm
Location: 
Commun Bldg 121
Description: 
This seminar focuses on the history and craft of (mostly American, mostly journalistic) film criticism from 1900 to the present. Along with some reflective writing about the judgement, philosophy and responsibilities of critics and criticism per se, we will read selections from the long published history of movie criticism in an attempt to answer the questions: what makes critics tick? what makes critics authoritative? and do critics' tastes differ so much from those of the general moviegoing public? Class time will be divided between screenings of/from exemplary films and student-led discussion of extensive assigned readings. Critical production will include library research, an analytical essay, and students own stabs at criticism.