Makes a case for asking students to produce their own film version of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Explains how to manage student filming projects logistically; how to teach students about filming techniques through the study of modern movies; and how filming becomes a lesson in the interpretation of Shakespeare. (TB)

Three components seem central to the definition of a documentary film: (1) the filmmaker should seek to provide as valid a record as possible of the facts, (2) the filmmaker must not neglect artistry in the portrayal of reality, and (3) a persuasive purpose is inherent to the form. Thus, documentary film provides for the artistic portrayal of…

Sharing some organizational frameworks, this paper presents two groups of diagrams that have been employed in various communication classes to illustrate how theoretical understandings can be used as paradigms to help organize information in a more clarified manner. The first part of the paper discusses diagrams which are directly relevant to…

This syllabus, based on a genre approach to experimental works, focuses on exploring film both as a personal expression and as a medium, rather than as mass entertainment. (PD)

Reviews the selection of screenwriting texts as well as other material available to the screenwriter teacher and screenwriter. Focuses on writing materials for film and prime time television only. (KEH)

Argues that teachers who use film in the English classroom need to be aware of its conventions and apply these conventions to critical analysis. Discusses camera angles, distance, composition, lighting, camera movements, editing, and sound. (SR)

Suggests students will view film adaptations of Shakespeare plays more critically by carefully analyzing the same scene from several different film versions. Discusses relevant scenes from "Romeo and Juliet" for classroom interpretation. Suggests that by providing students the vocabulary to discuss the film, educators can encourage them…

Using films, readings, and textual and intertextual analysis, the course covers the cinema of India, Egypt, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Cuba, and Senegal. (PD)

An interdisciplinary course integrating political science, literature, and film is used at Bellarmine College in Kentucky as a vehicle for examining politics on the local, state, national and international levels. Four novels and their analogous films are used, corresponding to the respective political level--"The Last Hurrah,""All…

This article reports on the development of a college course that uses feature films as a vehicle to promote a better understanding of human behavior. It includes film titles and descriptions along with questions used for guiding discussions. (JDH)

Examines how movies have formed history by (1) analyzing theories of history; (2) comparing historical perspectives in certain films; and (3) exploring how film language and techniques reflect history. Focuses on films from the United States, Europe, Japan, or Brazil. (PD)

Describes a course in American film comedy which includes three types of comedy: the tradition of the clown (beginning with silent comedy), romantic comedy, and sociopolitical comedy. Addresses such issues as escapism versus social purpose, fantasy versus realism, comedy versus laughter, and role of spectator versus role of text. (KEH)

Finds that including media studies at the end of a traditional literature course is an effective pedagogical instrument for instigating discussion regarding the literary canon, since students recognize and address the important contribution of popular culture when it is in dialogue with more traditional material. Selects the film…

Provides a course description that emphasizes a structural and functional approach to the musical as genre film and as entertainment. Covers the history of the genre from 1929 to the present. (PD)

Reviews 11 films on volcanic eruptions in the United States. Films are given a one- to five-star rating and the film's year, length, source and price are listed. Top films include "Inside Hawaiian Volcanoes" and "Kilauea: Close up of an Active Volcano." (AIM)