This Film Studies course explores self-expression by utilizing movies as visual narratives. Students analyze and study all the language systems of film (e.g. photography, editing, sound, acting, story, writing, ideology, etc.). In studying these valuable tools that filmmakers use, students better understand how movies are constructed and appreciate the criteria necessary to make a film. Students study and critique the works of others and participate in or produce art themselves. This course is both film history and genre study, to include comparative study of various films within a time period, culture, and genre. Film Studies is not intended to be a course solely for aspiring filmmakers. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain the artistic and technical merits of film based on the skills learned throughout the semester. Prerequisite: None