ENG125A: INTRODUCTION TO FILM STUDIES

LEVEL 1 COURSE, IIT-KANPUR

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor Email Schedule Office Location & Hours

Feroz Hassan feroz@iitk.ac.in Lectures: Tue-Thu-Fri, 9:00 Room 3, 2nd Floor, National Aerosol
Tutors: Tiasa Bal and tiasa@iitk.ac.in to 9:50 am Facility (Behind SIDBI Innovation Center)
Angana Das angana@iitk.ac.in Tutorials: Wed, 9:00 to Wednesdays: 11 to 1; or by appointment
9:50 am
Screenings: Tue, 6 to 9 pm,
L16*

COURSE TOPICS
S. No. Topic title
1 Cinema’s origins

2 Emergence of narrative cinema

3 The studio system

4 Film technique 1: framing, camera movement, and editing

5 Film technique 2: colour

6 Film technique 3: sound

7 Film technique 4: special effects

8 Film technique 5: narrative and genre

9 Performance and stardom

10 Documentary film

*Important note: You will need to watch films every week as part of your preparation for classes. If you
cannot attend the screenings, look out for links to each week’s film(s). You will still need to watch the
film(s) before Wednesday morning.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

GRADING SCHEME

A*≥90%; A≥85%; B≥75%; C≥65%; D≥50%; F<50%

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

1. Attendance (10%) Classes will start on time. You cannot enter the lecture hall once the class starts.
2. In-class quizzes (5x2=10%)
3. Class participation, including group activities (20%)
4. Oral exam (15%)
5. Mid-term exam (20%)
6. Final exam (25%)

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 Important note: Missing even a single exam or assignment makes it very likely that you will fail the
course. The dates of the exams will be declared by the office of the Dean of Academic Affairs (DOAA). Only
documented medical absences will be accommodated. Moreover, I will not be following up with absentees
to check why they missed an exam or an assignment deadline. It is your responsibility to approach me with
documentation if your absence is for a medically significant reason.

ACCOMODATIONS
If any of you have special needs or exceptional circumstances that need to be accommodated, please
approach me as soon as they arise. For genuine reasons (generally medical), I will make alternate
arrangements for you to meet the course requirements.

COURSE MATERIALS
By every Tuesday evening, I will place the next week’s readings in the photocopy shop in the Hall 1 shopping
complex. It is your responsibility to obtain copies in time. Look out for emails for instructions or notes on the
readings.

I may also divide the class into groups and assign specific readings and/or films to each.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

1. I use Piazza to share course announcements and material. Please ensure that you have signed up for the
course using Piazza. If you have not received an email asking you to register for the course, please write
to me at feroz@iitk.ac.in.
2. Absolutely no electronic devices to be used in the classroom. Your phones should be on silent and put
away.
3. I do not use PPTs, except to display still images. So please don’t expect notes from me. Your assessments
will be based on the reading material (which we will discuss thoroughly in class) as well as on my
lectures. Please be prepared to take notes.
4. I encourage students to meet me regularly to discuss any aspect related to the course, especially any
difficulties they have in following the lectures or meeting the requirements. Please walk-in without
appointment during my office hours listed at the top of this document, or write to me at feroz@iitk.ac.in
to set up an appointment for an alternate time.

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