Revised 8/1/2026

CST 151 - Film Appreciation (3 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces the critical study of film as an art form and cultural artifact. Examines
cinematic techniques and the relationship between movies and their social contexts. Develops analytical skills for interpreting visual media. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course prepares students for further study in film, media, communications, or the humanities, and enhances visual literacy applicable across disciplines. It aims to introduce students to the art and language of cinema, developing their ability to critically analyze films as cultural, historical, and artistic texts.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Fluency in Standard American English. Recommend proficiency in reading and writing at English 111 level.

Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Critical Thinking
    • Analyze the formal elements of film (cinematography, editing, sound, mise-en-scene) to interpret meaning and evaluate artistic choices.
    • Construct evidence-based arguments about a film's themes, techniques, or cultural significance.
  • Written Communication
    • Compose clear, well-organized written analyses of films using discipline-appropriate terminology.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Introduction to Film as an Art Form and Medium
    • Distinguish between passive viewing and active critical spectatorship.
    • Identify the basic principles of film form and explain how they influence meaning and audience experience.
    • Recognize the collaborative nature of film production and the contributions of key creative roles.
  • The Language of Film - Cinematic Techniques
    • Identify and analyze key elements of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and sound.
    • Explain how formal elements work together to shape a film's effect on viewers.
  • Narrative, Genre, and Film Types
    • Analyze narrative structures in film, including classical and alternative approaches to storytelling.
    • Recognize how genre conventions shape production choices and audience expectations.
    • Distinguish among different types of films based on their purposes, conventions, and techniques.
  • Film Analysis and Critical Perspectives
    • Apply discipline-specific vocabulary to describe and analyze films.
    • Distinguish between personal response and critical analysis.
    • Examine how films reflect, engage with, or shape social and cultural perspectives.
    • Develop and support an original interpretation of a film using specific evidence.