Course outline available by May 15, 2019
About Course
General Description: Interpretation and analysis of communication theories and concepts, including rhetorical theory, identity, and intercultural communication through critically acclaimed international films.
The objective of this course is to apply communication theory and evaluate communication situations using film as a shared text. The basic theories of human communication, mass communication, and new media and technology are explored. Focus is on the relationships among communication theory, research, and practice. Textbook topics include intra- and interpersonal communication, public communication, mass media, and contemporary issues associated with mediated communication.
Note: This is not a film criticism course. The course is designed to use the film as a source to observe character interactions, dialogue, and so on as useful information to contextualize communication theories.
Meeting Time
June 10 through July 5, 2019 (Monday-Friday) | Meeting: 1:20 p.m. through 3:20 p.m.
Sample film trailerAbout Course |
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Course Goals
- Enhance understanding research paradigms and elements of good (effective/efficient) communication theory
- Explore a variety of general communication theories
- Use films as the common text for identifying and explaining communication theories in practice
- Introduce students to the world through film
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to
By the end of this course, students should be able to
- Use the terminology associated with communication theories
- Describe how theories are created, developed, and changed
- Evaluate a theories using analytical frameworks
- Apply communication theories to communication situations and events
- Recall and explain research methods used to develop and/or test communication theories
- Analyze communication phenomenon from different perspectives
- Apply knowledge of communication theories to various contexts and issues
- Demonstrate spoken and written communication competence
Required Readings /Assignments
Graduate students will have an additional reading requirement.
Reading materials will be made available on D2L.
For assignment information, see the course outline (link at top of page).
Films (Short-List)
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Some films include very explicit content, including those of a violent and sexual nature (e.g., nudity, sex, blood, and torture). You will be made aware of these films in advance and provided alternative films to watch if this type of content should violate your personal, religious, political, or philosophical beliefs.
I have not determined which films I will be showing.
Resources
- Intercultural Film Series (UK)
- Intercultural film database
- International Movie Database (IMDb)
- Roger Ebert's Reviews
- How to Write a Film Script Treatment
- How to Write a Film Review
- Logline vs. Tagline (also frame your script pitch in terms of movies we watch)
Pedagogy
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Methods of Instruction
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Assignments
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FAQ
Will films be subtitled? Yes, it's the best way to watch films. Hearing the tones and expressions of actors is important. So, for the films that include non-English dialogue, you will be reading subtitles. Dubbing is B.S.
Will there be reading? Yes. This is a college-level course.
Will we be meeting the whole time, from 6:00 to 9:45 p.m.? Yup. Some of the films are over three hours long and, at least on days we watch shorter films, we'll have a double feature.
But what if I miss a class? You'll be watching a make-up film and doing a little extra writing.
Of course, there will be a lot of discussion and I have tentative agreement from a few actors and directors for some Skype calls. I think, ultimately, you will have a lot of fun.
Will there be reading? Yes. This is a college-level course.
Will we be meeting the whole time, from 6:00 to 9:45 p.m.? Yup. Some of the films are over three hours long and, at least on days we watch shorter films, we'll have a double feature.
But what if I miss a class? You'll be watching a make-up film and doing a little extra writing.
Of course, there will be a lot of discussion and I have tentative agreement from a few actors and directors for some Skype calls. I think, ultimately, you will have a lot of fun.
Recommended Films
- Smoke Signals (Canada, U.S.)
- Omar (Palestine)
- Let the Right One In (Sweden)
- The Band's Visit (Israel)
- Quinceañera (U.S., in Spanish)
- Babi Leto (Czech Republic)
- Waltz with Bashir (Multiple Countries)
- Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (India)
- Kavkazskiy Plennik: Prisoner of the Mountains (Russia)
- The Reluctant Fundamentalist (U.S., U.K., Qatar)
- The Intouchables (France)
- Whale Rider (New Zealand)
- City of God (Brazil)
- A Separation (Iran)
- Poetry (South Korea)
- Lost in Translation (U.S.)
- Skin (South Africa)
- Funny Games (Germany)
- The Singing Revolution (Estonia)
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (U.S.)
- Persepolis (France)
- Central Station
- American Beauty
- Do the Right Thing
- Baran
- Burnt Money
- Winter's Bone
- Gran Torino
- Salmon Fishing in Yemen
- West is West
- Nationale 7
- East is East (1999, Damien O’Donnell)
- Bicycle Thieves (1948, Vittorio De Sica)
- Dirty Pretty Things (2002,Stephen Frears)
- The Singing Revolution (2006, James Tusty, Maureen Castle Tusty)
- The Namesake (2006, Mira Nair)
- La Misma Luna (2007, Patricia Rigging)
- Good Bye Lenin! (2003, Wolfgang Becker)
- Chinaman (2005, Henrik Ruben Genz)
- Jalla! Jalla! (2000, Josef Faras)
- Hsi Yen (1993, Ang Lee)
- Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002, Phillip Noyce)