Develop your critical understanding of cinema through a range of concepts and critical approaches in film studies, including narrative, genre, spectatorship, authorship and directors, popular cinema, art cinema, national cinema and early film, along with technological developments including the transition to sound, while we view and discuss a range of key films from cinema's history as examples.
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This online film studies course looks at key concepts and critical approaches in the study of film (see below). We will be viewing and discussing a range of films and filmmakers, from Hollywood, European and World cinemas, and a range of film styles, such as the classical style and art cinema, in order to illustrate these concepts and approaches, while also situating these within a historical context in order that we can understand the development of cinema from its earliest days to the present moment.
Prior viewing and reading is not required. We will be watching extracts from a wide range of films. The tutor will provide a course programme at its outset, detailing subjects and films for each week, along with notes for each session and suggested further viewing and reading.
What will we cover?
• Narrative and narration - storytelling in the fiction film (including classical and art cinema - see below) • Genre - film types, e.g., melodrama • Spectatorship - cinema, gender and audiences • Authorship - the creative presence of the filmmaker/director • Popular cinema - e.g., classical film style and cinema/genre cinema • Art cinema - art film style, authorship and realism • National cinema - e.g., British cinema • Technological developments - e.g., the transition to sound, colour and widescreen processes • Film history - e.g., early film, the classical/post-classical eras • Institutional factors - e.g., the Hollywood studio system • Key films and filmmakers.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe and evaluate different narrative and narrational strategies • Identify different genres and their operations at different historical moments • Describe and evaluate theories of spectatorship and the 'role' of the audience • Describe and evaluate theories of authorship • Describe the key elements of both popular and art cinema • Describe and evaluate national cinema • Identify and describe key technological developments • Evaluate key moments in film history • Identify and evaluate the part played by cinematic institutions • Identify and evaluate key films and filmmakers.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Dr Chris Darke is an author and film critic who has written extensively on film and the moving image for over thirty years for publications including Sight and Sound, Film Comment, Cahiers du cinéma, Frieze, mute and The Independent, among others. He has also published five books on film including Light Readings: Film Criticism and Screen Arts (Wallflower Press, 2000); Alphaville (on Jean-Luc Godard’s 1965 film. IB Tauris, 2005); Cannes: Inside the World’s Premier Film Festival (with Kieron Corless. Faber, 2007); Chris Marker: A Grin without a Cat (Whitechapel Gallery, 2016); La Jetée (on Chris Marker’s 1963 film. BFI Film Classics, 2006 & 2026). He has taught Film Studies at British universities for over thirty years and his particular research interests are in French Cinema, Artists’ Moving Image, the Essay Film, and the work of Chris Marker.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/an-introduction-to-film135852An Introduction to Filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/intro_to_film_2048_1.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/vm/Courses to do with friends2285117715481580164712285117715801653<p>Develop your critical understanding of cinema through a range of concepts and critical approaches in film studies, including narrative, genre, spectatorship, authorship and directors, popular cinema, art cinema, national cinema and early film, along with technological developments including the transition to sound, while we view and discuss a range of key films from cinema's history as examples.</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">Concepts and critical approaches in the study of film and film history.</div>24.52629443An Introduction to Film129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/intro_to_film_2048_1_1.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF230129129An Introduction to Film12984129Chris Darkean-introduction-to-film/hf230-2526<p>Develop your critical understanding of cinema through a range of concepts and critical approaches in film studies, including narrative, genre, spectatorship, authorship and directors, popular cinema, art cinema, national cinema and early film, along with technological developments including the transition to sound, while we view and discuss a range of key films from cinema's history as examples.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-06 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course looks at key concepts and critical approaches in the study of film (see below). We will be viewing and discussing a range of films and filmmakers, from Hollywood, European and World cinemas, and a range of film styles, such as the classical style and art cinema, in order to illustrate these concepts and approaches, while also situating these within a historical context in order that we can understand the development of cinema from its earliest days to the present moment.<br/><br/>Prior viewing and reading is not required. We will be watching extracts from a wide range of films. The tutor will provide a course programme at its outset, detailing subjects and films for each week, along with notes for each session and suggested further viewing and reading.</p><p>Develop your critical understanding of cinema through a range of concepts and critical approaches in film studies, including narrative, genre, spectatorship, authorship and directors, popular cinema, art cinema, national cinema and early film, along with technological developments including the transition to sound, while we view and discuss a range of key films from cinema's history as examples.</p><p>• Narrative and narration - storytelling in the fiction film (including classical and art cinema - see below)<br/>• Genre - film types, e.g., melodrama<br/>• Spectatorship - cinema, gender and audiences<br/>• Authorship - the creative presence of the filmmaker/director<br/>• Popular cinema - e.g., classical film style and cinema/genre cinema<br/>• Art cinema - art film style, authorship and realism<br/>• National cinema - e.g., British cinema<br/>• Technological developments - e.g., the transition to sound, colour and widescreen processes<br/>• Film history - e.g., early film, the classical/post-classical eras<br/>• Institutional factors - e.g., the Hollywood studio system<br/>• Key films and filmmakers.</p><p>• Describe and evaluate different narrative and narrational strategies<br/>• Identify different genres and their operations at different historical moments<br/>• Describe and evaluate theories of spectatorship and the 'role' of the audience<br/>• Describe and evaluate theories of authorship<br/>• Describe the key elements of both popular and art cinema<br/>• Describe and evaluate national cinema<br/>• Identify and describe key technological developments<br/>• Evaluate key moments in film history<br/>• Identify and evaluate the part played by cinematic institutions<br/>• Identify and evaluate key films and filmmakers.</p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual12912984HF230NONETue06/01/26 - 03/02/2619:45 - 21:3019:4521:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineChris DarkeBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-06T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanities129129An Introduction to Filman-introduction-to-film/hf230-2526<p>Develop your critical understanding of cinema through a range of concepts and critical approaches in film studies, including narrative, genre, spectatorship, authorship and directors, popular cinema, art cinema, national cinema and early film, along with technological developments including the transition to sound, while we view and discuss a range of key films from cinema's history as examples.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-06 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course looks at key concepts and critical approaches in the study of film (see below). We will be viewing and discussing a range of films and filmmakers, from Hollywood, European and World cinemas, and a range of film styles, such as the classical style and art cinema, in order to illustrate these concepts and approaches, while also situating these within a historical context in order that we can understand the development of cinema from its earliest days to the present moment.<br/><br/>Prior viewing and reading is not required. We will be watching extracts from a wide range of films. The tutor will provide a course programme at its outset, detailing subjects and films for each week, along with notes for each session and suggested further viewing and reading.</p><p>Develop your critical understanding of cinema through a range of concepts and critical approaches in film studies, including narrative, genre, spectatorship, authorship and directors, popular cinema, art cinema, national cinema and early film, along with technological developments including the transition to sound, while we view and discuss a range of key films from cinema's history as examples.</p><p>• Narrative and narration - storytelling in the fiction film (including classical and art cinema - see below)<br/>• Genre - film types, e.g., melodrama<br/>• Spectatorship - cinema, gender and audiences<br/>• Authorship - the creative presence of the filmmaker/director<br/>• Popular cinema - e.g., classical film style and cinema/genre cinema<br/>• Art cinema - art film style, authorship and realism<br/>• National cinema - e.g., British cinema<br/>• Technological developments - e.g., the transition to sound, colour and widescreen processes<br/>• Film history - e.g., early film, the classical/post-classical eras<br/>• Institutional factors - e.g., the Hollywood studio system<br/>• Key films and filmmakers.</p><p>• Describe and evaluate different narrative and narrational strategies<br/>• Identify different genres and their operations at different historical moments<br/>• Describe and evaluate theories of spectatorship and the 'role' of the audience<br/>• Describe and evaluate theories of authorship<br/>• Describe the key elements of both popular and art cinema<br/>• Describe and evaluate national cinema<br/>• Identify and describe key technological developments<br/>• Evaluate key moments in film history<br/>• Identify and evaluate the part played by cinematic institutions<br/>• Identify and evaluate key films and filmmakers.</p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
