Semester | 0.5 Credits | Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Film Studies: Introduction to Visual Literacy is a one-semester course that aims to teach students how to critically "read" film in very much the same way as they would read a novel or a poem. The course is genre-based. Students learn to examine movies critically, and use the appropriate vocabulary of film, in such areas as narrative sequence, mise-en-scene, lighting, cinematic space, sound, leitmotifs, color, symbolism, editing, and montage. The films studied are chosen specifically to illustrate certain film styles and techniques. Assignments consist of scene analysis, creating viewing guides, analysis of documentary filmmakers influence on audiences and an Internet-based research project. The homework load is similar to that of a language class. The syllabus includes: the role of the director; the Science Fiction film; the use of cinematic space and color; narrative sequence and structure; camera movement and camera angles; and the documentary film. There is no filmmaking component to this course. Film Studies is highly recommended for students planning to take IB Film in Grade 11.