| Course title | Introduction to Film Studies |
|---|---|
| Course code | KDU/USFU |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture |
| Level of course | Bachelor |
| Year of study | 1 |
| Semester | Winter and summer |
| Number of ECTS credits | 3 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | Compulsory |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Lecturer(s) |
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| Course content |
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1. Introduction Film Studies as a Social Science and Humanities Discipline. Historical Development of Film Studies. Film as Art, Entertainment, Industry, and an Instrument of Ideology. 2.-3. Shot, Camera, Sound The Shot as the Basic Building Block of Film. Identifying Characteristics of the Shot. Shot Scale and Shot Duration. Basic Methods of Connecting Shots. Camera Position and Movement. The Lens and Types of Film Lenses. The Physical Nature of Sound. Sound as a Technical and Aesthetic Category. Sound Perspective. Film Music. Sound and Music in Silent Cinema. 4.-5. Space in Film The Construction of Film Space as the Illusory Space of a Work of Art. Optics and Their Influence on Mise-en-sc?ne Composition. Working with Perspective. Lighting and Shadow as Technical and Aesthetic Categories. Mirrors in Film as a Specific Element of Film Space. 6.-7. Time in Film Time as a Philosophical and Aesthetic Category. Three Types of Film Time. Causality and Continuity in Film Narrative. Temporal Symbols. 8.-9. Editing Editing as a Distinctive Filmic Element. Montage Theory. Types of Editing. Editing Structure. 10.-11. Film Genres Basic Theoretical Approaches. Historical Development of Genres. Genre as an Artistic Category. Characteristics of Selected Genres (especially the Western, Horror, and Film Noir). 12.-13. Film Acting Character and Actor in the Structure of the Film Work. Schools of Film Acting. Basic Categories of Acting Performance. The Star System. Acting in Silent and Sound Cinema.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training) |
| Learning outcomes |
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The students will familiarize themselves with the basic methods and specializations of film study. They will learn to actively use the basic terminology of technical aspects, genres, aesthetic categories, etc. Production and distribution will also be investigated.
Students will familiarize with the basic structure and methods of film studies. They will learn basic terminology in fields of film technology, film style, narration, genres and aesthetics categories. Students will know about the theory of production and distribution and will gain the competencies necessary for analysis of films and their integration into the context of classification of film studies. |
| Prerequisites |
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Independent work with professional literature, basic orientation in the history of cinematography.
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Written exam
The evaluation will be a written test. |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2026) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2026) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2024) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2019) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2024) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2019) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2026) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2024) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Science of Arts (2019) | Category: Theory and history of arts | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: - |