This course will examine the unique relationship between communication and film from the 1920's (the era of silent film) through today. Focusing both on U.S. and Global cinemas, the course investigates how the technological, aesthetic, and socio-cultural histories of film have emerged and changed over time.

Film is a medium of communication. From its early beginnings to its current state, it serves as a platform for communicating both personal and world issues, from the everyday to global topics. We will examine some of the dominant film movements that utilized and shaped film as a communication tool through images and sound. World cinema offers a rich language of cultural expression that teaches us about the similarities, differences, and interactions we have with other cultures. Through the study of communication through film we are able to explore how national cinemas influence each other.

The course will bring together the insights of communication as it relates to film. Using a historical perspective through viewings, discussions, and study of critical text, students explore both the way films communicate, and the use of formal and aesthetic elements that formulate communication, paying special attention to the way films express and influence cultural forms, values and patterns.

This course exposes students to the means by which film expresses meanings, how viewers understand those meanings and how cinema functions globally as an art and business.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will:

• Describe the way films influence societies
• Identify the ways film conventions shape communication styles.
• Explain critical studies (history, industry and criticism), production (film, video, digital), and writing.
• Explain information and analysis in the language of the field.
• Demonstrate competence in describing, analyzing, and evaluating a film by completing a written paper.

Core Curriculum (Arts Category) Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain how movies and film express meanings and how viewers understand the meanings proposed by the films and what the film creators set out to express.
• Explain how film functions as a mode of communication that evolves and changes as individuals, societies, and cultures themselves evolve and change.
• Explain how cinema functions globally as an art and as a business.

Global Learning Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will:

• Have become aware of the interrelatedness of local, global, international and intercultural issues, trends, and systems as they pertain to communication in film. (Global Awareness)
• Have acquired the ability to develop a multi-perspective analysis of local, global, international, and communication issues through film. (Global Perspective)
• Be prepared to engage in local, global, international, and intercultural problem solving involving communication in film. (Global Engagement).

Please review the FIU's Policies and Netiquette webpage. The policies webpage contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FIU, as well as additional information about acceptable netiquette for online courses.

 As a member of the FIU community you are expected to be knowledgeable about the behavioral expectations set forth in the FIU Student Code of Conduct.

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate proficiency using a computer. Please go to the "What's Required" webpage to find out more information on this subject.

Privacy Policy Statements for partners and Vendors

• Canvas
• Microsoft
• Adobe
• Google
• ProctorU
• HonorLock (PDF)
• Turnitin
• NBC Learn
• OpenStax
• Adobe Connect
• Respondus LockDown Browser
• Zoom

Please visit our Technical Requirements webpage for additional information.

The Disability Resource Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members to create diverse learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. The DRC provides FIU students with disabilities the necessary support to successfully complete their education and participate in activities available to all students. If you have a diagnosed disability and plan to utilize academic accommodations, please contact the Center at (305) 348-3532 or visit them at the Graham Center GC 190.

For additional assistance please contact FIU's Disability Resource Center.

Web Accessibility Statements for Partners and Vendors

• Canvas
• Microsoft
• Adobe
• Google
• ProctorU
• HonorLock
• OpenStax
• Turnitin
• NBC Learn
• Adobe Connect
• Respondus LockDown Browser
• Zoom

Please visit our ADA Compliance webpage for additional information about accessibility involving the tools used in this course.

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Academic Misconduct includes: Cheating – The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not. Plagiarism – The use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is responsible for plagiarism.

Learn more about the academic integrity policies and procedures as well as student resources that can help you prepare for a successful semester.

If you are looking for help for yourself or a fellow classmate, Panthers Care encourages you to express any concerns you may come across as it relates to any personal behavior concerns or worries you have, for the classmate’s well-being or yours; you are encouraged to share your concerns with FIU’s Panthers Care website.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free and confidential help for anxiety, depression, stress, and other concerns that life brings. Professional counselors are available for same-day appointments. Don’t wait to call (305) 348-2277 to set up a time to talk or visit the online self-help portal.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

This is an online course, which means most (if not all) of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same for a traditional course. In fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills which can make these courses more demanding for some students.

Online courses are not independent study courses. You will be expected to interact online with the professor and your fellow students; to do assignments; and to meet deadlines.
In order to be successful in this fully online course, you will be expected to:

• Purchase the textbook within the first week of class.
• Follow instructions and ask questions when you are uncertain of the course material.
• Create a calendar consisting of the assignments and their respective due dates.
• Access the course daily to check for messages from your instructor.

Communication in this course will take place via the Canvas Inbox. Check out the Canvas Conversations Tutorial or Canvas Guide to learn how to communicate with your instructor and peers using Announcements, Discussions, and the Inbox. 

Inbox is a private and secure text-based communication system which occurs within a course among its Course members. Users must log on to Canvas to send, receive, or read messages. The Inbox tool is located on the Course Menu, on the left side of the course webpage. It is recommended that students check their messages routinely to ensure up-to-date communication.

The email feature is an external communication tool that allows users to send emails to users enrolled within the course. Emails are sent to the students’ FIU email on record. The Email tool is located on the Course Menu, on the left side of the course webpage.

Keep in mind that your discussion forum postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.

In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.

All assessments will auto-submit when (1) the timer runs out OR (2) the closing date/time is reached, whichever happens first. For example, if a quiz has a closing time of 5:00 pm but the student begins the exam at 4:55 pm, the student will only have 5 minutes to complete the quiz.

Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Online Support Services.