Intro to Film
Program:
Film & Cinema Studies
Semester:
Semester 1
Code:
FIL110
Credits:
4 Credits, 3 Hour(s)
Start Date:
January 17, 2026
Timing:
Saturday 9am–12pm Est
Overview
About this Course
Intro to Film is an introductory course designed to teach students how to watch, analyze, and understand film as an art form, cultural product, and technical medium.
Students will learn how films are constructed—visually, narratively, and thematically—while developing the vocabulary and critical tools needed to interpret cinema meaningfully. The course explores cinema from historical, cultural, and aesthetic perspectives and introduces students to key concepts in film language, style, genre, and storytelling.
Through guided readings, film viewings, and critical writing assignments, students will strengthen their analytical thinking and written communication skills. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze films, understand their cultural significance, and articulate informed perspectives on cinema.
Format: Online & Asynchronous
Level: Introductory
Assessment: Weekly reflections, critical film essay, and participation
12 Weekly Topics
Course breakdown
Week 1: What Is Cinema?
Introduction to cinema as an art form and medium. Students explore what distinguishes film from other visual arts and why cinema matters culturally and historically.
Week 2: Film Form and Narrative
Understanding how films tell stories. This week focuses on narrative structure, plot, story, and how meaning is shaped through form.
Week 3: Mise-en-Scène
An exploration of everything placed in front of the camera: setting, lighting, costume, makeup, and performance—and how these elements contribute to meaning.
Week 4: Cinematography
Study of camera movement, framing, lenses, and visual composition. Students learn how cinematography shapes emotion, perspective, and storytelling.
Week 5: Editing and Film Rhythm
Introduction to editing techniques, continuity, montage, and pacing. How cuts and transitions influence narrative flow and audience perception.
Week 6: Sound in Cinema
Understanding dialogue, music, and sound effects. This week examines how sound design enhances mood, meaning, and storytelling.
Week 7: Film Genres
Exploration of major film genres and their conventions. Students analyze how genres evolve and reflect cultural values and expectations.
Week 8: Film Style and Authorship
Focus on film style, directors, and authorship. Introduction to the concept of the auteur and stylistic consistency across films.
Week 9: Cinema and Culture
Examining film within its social, historical, and cultural context. How cinema reflects and shapes ideology, politics, and identity.
Week 10: Alternative and Global Cinema
Introduction to non-mainstream cinema, including independent, international, and alternative film traditions.
Week 11: Critical Film Analysis
Developing a thesis-driven approach to film criticism. Students apply analytical tools in preparation for their final critical essay.
Week 12: Film Meaning and Interpretation
Bringing it all together. Students synthesize technical, narrative, and cultural analysis to interpret cinema holistically.
Dr. Yasser Shahin
Instructor | Intro to Film
Dr Yasser Shahin is a professor, filmmaker, and published author with an MFA in Television and Screenwriting and a BA in Film. He has taught screenwriting, worked with Al Jazeera, and consulted for Hollywood productions. A Qur’an reciter with ijazah, he bridges art and spirituality, training students to tell stories that uplift, educate, and inspire.