LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the relationships among historical, cultural, and cinematic contexts from 1945 to the present.
- Identify major filmmakers and significant works of the last 80 years of cinema history.
- Engage with the study of primary sources as a foundation for research in film history.
- Become familiar with technologies for studying and researching film history, as well as platforms for presenting information in visually engaging ways.
- Analyze film scenes using appropriate terminology and critical approaches.
- Participate in a community of viewers and learners which is intellectually supportive and challenging.
METHODOLOGY
This course consists of 14 sessions. Every session will have a combination of the following tasks:
- Readings: Articles or book chapters to be completed before the class.
- In-class screenings: One paradigmatic film per session accompanied by excerpts from other important audiovisual works.
- Students’ presentations: Introduction and commentary on the films and related materials.
- Lectures: Discussion of the selected films in their historical, cultural, national, and transnational contexts.
- In-class activities: Guided discussions, free writing, and other exercises to facilitate the learning process.
- Field trips: Visits to cultural sites or archives in NYC relevant to the study of film history.
Students must come prepared to have meaningful discussions in class. They are expected to read the assigned primary sources and at least one of the articles (secondary sources) each session. The sessions in which there are not primary sources assigned, all students must read at least two articles from the secondary sources. Students responsible for guiding the post-screening discussion must read all the assigned articles.
ASSINGMENTS AND GRADING
Film Diary (20%): Weekly blog posts that provide a commentary on the film screened in class, with references to the articles assigned. To get the full credit, it is necessary to write at least 9 weekly responses Due Date: Every Monday before 11:59 am.
Post-Screening Discussion (15%): Leading a discussion after a screening through questions, quotations, and scene analysis. See schedule for assigned dates.
New Cinemas Colloquium (10%): Group presentation on one cinematic movement of the 1960s or 1970s and one paradigmatic film. Due Date: March 17 and March 24.
Research Blog Post (10%): A written companion for the group presentation providing additional information and analysis. Due Date: April 21.
Final Project (30%): A 10-12-page double-space final paper on one of the topics discussed in class, using the bibliography for the course and other sources of information. Students can opt for doing a multimedia project in place of the traditional paper. Due Date: May 26.
Late work will be accepted within a reasonable grace period but will incur a 5% penalty.
AI POLICIES
Students should restrain from using generative AI for the course assignments. Insecurity around non-proficient English should not be a reason for using AI. In this course, we will embrace imperfections and learn from our errors. We will not judge grammatical or syntactic mistakes. Any use of generative AI software for the preliminary phases of research must be acknowledged.
RUBRIC
Outstanding work receives an A; outstanding work far exceeds what is expected (superior).
A+ = 97, A = 93, A- = 90
Excellent work receives a B; excellent work exceeds what is expected (above average).
B+ = 87, B = 83, B- = 80
Good work receives a C; good work basically meets expectations (average).
C+ = 77, C = 73, C- = 70
Acceptable work receives a D; acceptable work is not particularly good but is not failing (below average).
D+ = 67, D = 63, D- = 60
Unacceptable work receives an F; unacceptable work demonstrates poor effort and/or understanding (failing).
F = 59 and below
COURSE POLICIES AND CAMPUS RESOURCES
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory. A low attendance will result in a difference of one full letter grade toward the final grade. Absences might be excused if they are discussed with the instructor and students can provide the necessary documentation.
Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements—prior to the absence—for making up missed work.
STUDENTS SUPPORT: Hunter will be loaning laptops to students and offering other types of aid including mobile hotspot devices, mobile food pantries, emergency funding, and more. Click on this link to know more about it: https://hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/emergency-support-resources/
DISABILITY SERVICES: In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical, and/or Learning) consult the Office of Accessibility located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please call (212) 772-4857/TTY (212) 650-3230. If you have registered with the Office of Accessibility, please let me know at the start of the term.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE: Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their instructor in writing at the beginning of the semester and should discuss with their instructor, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT: Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.
HUNTER COLLEGE POLICY ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT: In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College.
- Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division Hotline (646- 610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting the College’s Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
- All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact the College’s Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose ([email protected] or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry ([email protected] or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123.
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct Link: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Policy-on-Sexual-Misconduct-12-1-14-with-links.pdf
ROCKOWITZ WRITING CENTER
The Rockowitz Writing Center offers students help with their writing at every stage of the writing process. You can make an appointment for a live video session at: hunter.mywconline.com.
COUNSELING AND WELLNESS SERVICES
Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS) is another campus resource and service center for all matriculated students that is operating remotely for counseling services at no cost to all Hunter students. You can make an appointment at: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/counseling-and-wellness.
EMERGENCY SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
Hunter College Food Assistance
Hunter College offers the following food assistance programs to our students. They are open during the school year to all currently enrolled students with valid student ID. To participate, please see the schedules below.
Purple Apron Food Pantry
Fall 2025 Hours
Room B103, Lower Level of West Building
Monday: 1 pm–7 pm
Tuesday: 1 pm–7 pm
Wednesday: 9 am–11 am & 1 pm–7 pm
Thursday: 1 pm–7 pm
Friday: 1 pm–4 pm
Saturday: 2 pm–5pm
Emergency Funding
Through the Petrie Foundation, the Undergraduate Student Government, and the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of the Dean of Students is able to provide financial assistance to enable you to remain in school if you have a short-term financial emergency. Emergencies include, but are not limited to, loss of employment, death in the family, homelessness, fire in the home, eviction, medical issues, or inability to keep up with daily living expenses.
To qualify you must be enrolled in a matriculated program and in classes for the semester in which you are requesting funding.
Students must upload a copy of their Hunter ID and State ID. Failure to do so will result in application approvals being delayed or denied.
Long Term Laptops Loan
Laptops are available to Hunter students on loan, for one semester at a time. You must be enrolled for the term in which the loan is being requested.
Please review the eligibility criteria and participation terms on the request form below. If you are eligible for a laptop loan, a staff member will contact you with additional details.
https://cunyhunter.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9viuDlTexA9rV2d
Other Resources
Subsidized Internet, DACA/TPS Renewals, Meal Plans, Legal Immigration Assistance
https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/emergency-support-resources/
