3 credits
Summer 2026 Distance Learning Lower Division
This course introduces students to cinema as both an art form and a creative industry. Students explore the technical and cultural aspects of classic and contemporary films while developing visual literacy and critical thinking. The course also examines the people, processes, and business that bring films from concept to screen, providing a comprehensive introduction to how films are made, told, and experienced. This is not a production course.
Learning Outcomes1Analyze the technical and creative aspects of films to understand their effect on storytelling and audience experience.
2Define and apply key film concepts, story elements, and industry terminology to discuss and interpret films critically.
3Evaluate films from artistic, technical, cultural, and thematic perspectives, considering both creative choices and industrial contexts.
4Construct written analyses of films and scenes, using evidence and reasoning to support interpretations.
made by Purdue students.