Students will study film as a visual art, learning to "read" a film in a way similar to reading a novel. The course emphasis wil be on comprehending the signs, syntax, and structures of cinematic language. In addition to developing a more complex understanding and appreciation of film, students will learn about the history, major developments of the film industry. Students will examine films as cultural artifacts, and we will focus much of our coursework on analysis and interpretations. Some representative titles include "It Happened One Night," "Sunset Boulevard," and "Some Like It Hot."