FAMS Courses Fall 2017

FAMS 101: Introduction to Film & Media Studies
This is a foundational course that introduces students to basic concepts, theories and methods that are central to film and media studies. We will study the histories and genres of cinema and formal techniques such as lighting, editing and sound to develop a critical understanding of film as a dominant mode of representation. We will also study other forms of electronic media to gain a better understanding of the perspectives and practices of emerging technologies and forms of distribution. Through required weekly screenings, readings, writing and regular discussion, we will analyze these various kinds of screen medias as they influence our world. FAMS F course. CSS HUM course. No prerequisites. Andy Smith. TR 9:30AM-12:20PM

FAMS/DOC 150: Introduction to Documentary Storymaking
This course is an introduction to digital documentary story making. It merges the critical study of documentary media with the hands-on construction of documentary stories waiting to be found in local communities. Working with tools of the documentary arts-video, still images, audio, writing-students will acquire the foundational skills of media production and effective story telling while absorbing and analyzing rich examples of documentary story telling over time and place. FAMS E course. Open to all majors. No prerequisites. Andy Smith. M 7:00-9:50 PM

FAMS 201: Making Media 1
This hands-on course introduces students to the creative and technical aspects of media production, and models foundational practices in productive collaboration and ethical media making. The course provides a basic understanding of framing, composition, and storytelling through the use of sound and images. Students work with lighting, audio recording, digital video cameras, and non-linear editing through a series of hands-on assignments, readings, screenings, discussion of assigned exercises, and workshops with digital equipment. FAMS P course. Prerequisite: FAMS 101 or permission of instructor. Nandini Sikand. W 1:10-4:00 PM

FAMS 202: Making Media 2
This hands-on production course is the second course in the media production sequence begun in FAMS 201 and builds on the fundamentals of lighting, sound, camera, and editing. Students will further develop their digital media making techniques through individual and collaborative media assignments. Among the assignments, students will host, record, and edit a weekly talk show in the Film and Media Studies program’s “Sandbox” studio. FAMS P course. Prerequisite: FAMS 201 or permission of instructor. Adam MacHose. TR 1:10-4:00 PM

FAMS 255: Women Make Movies/Movies Make Women
This non-production course examines the work of women filmmakers and how women have historically been constructed (and not constructed) in cinema. We will examine issues of gender, spectatorship, sexuality, race, representation and authorship as they intersect with images of women such as savior, victim, femme fatale, mother, artist. FAMS H course. CCS W/GM1 course. Prerequisite: FAMS 101 or WGS 101 or instructor permission. Nandini Sikand. MF 11:00-12:15 PM & W 11:00-12:50 PM

FAMS 420: Capstone
This required course for FAMS majors is a chance for students to synthesize their course of study into one major individual project. The capstone is a workshop-based experience where students design and complete either a critical or creative (or some combination of the two) media project that results in a public presentation of their most advanced work as FAMS majors. FAMS C course. Open to Senior FAMS majors only. Andy Smith. TR 1:10-4:00 PM


ADDITIONAL FAMS ELECTIVE COURSES FOR FALL 2017

ART 155: Photo 1 (Skvirsky/Brubaker) – MW or TR 1:10-4:00 PM

ENG 231: Journalistic Writing (K. Parrish) – W 7:00-9:50 PM

ENG 250: Writing in Digital Environments (T. Laquintano) – MWF 10:00-10:50 AM

ENG 251: Screenwriting (A. Ohlin) – TR 11:00-12:15 PM

ENG 350: Writing and Authorship—From Print to Digital (T. Laquintano) – MWF 9:00-9:50 AM

HIST 120: History in Pictures (P. Barclay) – R 9:30-10:45 AM

SPAN 315: Intro to Visual Cultures Spain (K. Stafford) – MWF 2:10-3:00 PM

THTR 279: Acting for Digital Media (Staff) – F 10:00-11:50 AM & 2:10-4:00 PM