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ENG 197 Film Studies meets from 1-3:20 p.m. on Tuesdays for 8 weeks over Zoom, June 23-August 11. Attendance at Zoom classes is required.

Course Description:

This remote course enhances understanding of film through analysis of contemporary filmmaking, narrative techniques, genres, themes and critical approaches. Develops visual literacy and analysis skills by offering a range of tools to study any film. Analyzes contemporary film techniques and the ways in which the films may both contribute and react to their time and culture. Covers contemporary film theory. Substantiates observations with examples taken from the film tradition and from the film itself. 

This version of ENG 197 explores humanity’s relationship to nature in World Cinema. With film locations in Colombia, France, Iceland, Japan, Palestine, and Tibet, our six films include genres such as fantasy, documentary, and period drama. Narratives draw on fairytales, folklore, myth, and ritual to explore themes of coexistence, colonialism, ethnography, knowledge, and belief. Course readings will cover film criticism, theory, and historical and contextual information on the films. Short weekly writing assignments will help students learn terminology used to analyze, interpret, and discuss film. The course will culminate with a 4-5-page comparative critical essay using research sources.

Films: Le Moine et la sorcière (Sorceress) by Suzanne Schiffman, Yume (Dreams) by Akira Kurosawa, Hikayatul jawahiri thalath (Tale of the Three Jewels) by Michel Khleifi, El Abrazo de la serpiente (Embrace of the Serpent) by Ciro Guerra, La Panthère des neiges (The Velvet Queen) by Marie Amiguet and Vincent Munier, and Volaða land (Godland) by Hlynur Pálmason. 

Disclaimer: The films in this course contain mature subject matter such as scenes of death, sexuality, and violence. 

Prerequisite:  and or  or equivalent placement. Audit available. Fulfills GE Arts and Letters requirements for ASOT-BUS, AS, AGS, AS, AAOT degrees.

Required textbook available at С»Æ贫ý Sylvania Bookstore (Customer Service: 971-722-4910):

• Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film. 10th edition, 2025.

For reference, here is a sample syllabus from Summer 2025. There will be some changes to the 2026 syllabus.

Link to the Summer 2025 . 

Link to

A note on film viewings: Students will be responsible for watching the films before coming to class. Films are available to stream through the С»Æ贫ý Library. 

This class meets once a week on Zoom. Since Zoom attendance and participation are required, students will need access to a reliable internet connection, and the use of a camera and a microphone in order to be seen and heard during discussions. Students will be responsible for watching the films before coming to class. The films will be available to stream through the С»Æ贫ý Library.