FEA Information | FEA Programs | FEA Courses
UPPER DIVISION
300. History of Media (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of General Education Foundation requirements.
Development of film and electronic media in United States.
Letter grade only (A-F).
302. Critical Study of Film (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better, or consent of instructor.
Introduction to classical and critical theories of film analysis including Realism, Formalism, Classical Hollywood Cinema, Auteur Theory, Art Film, and Structuralism.
Letter grade only (A-F).
303. Film and Electronic Media Writing (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better and or consent of instructor.
Study of scripting and other writing skills unique to audio, video, and film.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lec-Descussion 3 hrs.)
304. Writing the Short Script (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Scriptwriting with emphasis on adaptation and dramatic fiction.
Letter grade only (A-F).
305. Film History (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Historical development of motion picture.
Letter grade only (A-F).
307. Audio Production (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Basic principles and techniques of audio production.
Letter grade only (A-F) (Act 4 hrs to be arr.)
309. Cinematography (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Option in Film/Video Production.
Basic principles of cinematography and lighting.
Letter grade only (A-F) (9 hours laboratory.)
310. Media, Ideology and Culture (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of General Education Foundation requirement.
Exploration of the ways media create, pattern, shape, reinforce and/or change culture. Variety of viewpoints, derived from contemporary critical and cultural studies, highlights relationship between culture and images.
312. Television Programming Symposium (3)
Discussion and analysis of creative problems in television industry, current local and network programs. Interviews with visiting executives, producers, directors, writers, performers and technicians.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units, only 3 units may be used as credit toward major.
313. New Technologies in Film and Electronic Media (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300.
Study of developing technologies in film and electronic media production, distribution, and exhibition. Focus on economic, social, and policy issues raised by technological innovation and the impact of new technology on the industry.
Letter grade only (A-F).
314. Theatrical Film Symposium (3)
Lectures and discussions of creative problems in motion picture industry; current films; interviews with visiting producers, directors, writers, performers and technicians.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units, only 3 units may be used toward the major.
316. Mass Media and Popular Culture (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of General Education Foundation requirement.
Theory and functions of mass media in America. Enduring issues and unresolved problems of media. Impact of mass culture on a mass-mediated society.
317. Women in the History of U.S. Film (3)
History of women as they are represented, presented as images, or constructed in the development of U.S. film. Theory and analysis of film from a feminist perspective.
Same course as W/ST 316.
318I. Theory of Fiction and Film (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the G.E. Foundation, one or more G.E. Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Examination of narrative methods and conventions of American and British fiction and methods and conventions of film; consideration of relationships between artistic structure of fiction and film; study of theoretical and practical approaches to fiction and film.
Same course as ENGL 318I.
320. Sound Design (3)
Prerequisites: Major status.
Examination of the basic aesthetic and technical principles of sound design for film and video production.
Letter grade only (A-F).
325. Audio Activity (2)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Group and individual experience in audio production. Specific assignments determined in consultation with instructor.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 units in different semesters. (80 Activity hours to be arranged.)
327. Production Management (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Examination of the step-by-step process of budgeting and scheduling feature length motion pictures. Students will learn methods and procedures of breaking down a script, analyzing production elements, preparing a production board, scheduling principal photography, and preparing a comprehensive budget.
Letter grade only (A-F) (Lecture 3 hours; activity hours to be arranged.)
328. Film and Video Lighting (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 309. Priority enrollment given to students in Film/Video Production Option.
Examination of the basic aesthetic and technical principles of film and video lighting. Students will explore various creative lighting styles and techniques through lectures and practical exercises.
Letter grade only (A-F).
335. University Television Activity (2)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Experience in administration and production of video projects at the University Television facility.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 units. (Activity hours to be arranged.)
336. Beginning Film/Video Production (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Option in Film/Video Production.
Preparation for the advanced level of film and video production through research and exercises designed to develop essential filmmaking and video graphic skills.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee may be required. (Production laboratory 9 hours.)
337. Digital Arts Production (3)
Prerequisite: Major status or consent of instructor.
Techniques and concepts involved in production of visual effects, computer animation, and interactive media. Through screenings, fieldtrips and hands-on production, students explore art and science of digital graphics, 2D-compositing, and 3D-animation. Culminates in development of digital elements for student production.
Letter grade only (A-F) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units in different semesters.
340. Advanced Film/Video Production (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 336 and approved enrollment in Advanced Narrative Production Track. Experience in group production of original films and videos.
Emphasis is on narrative short projects. Students are required to collaborate with advanced cinematography students in FEA 341.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee required. (Production laboratory 9 hours.)
341. Advanced Cinematography I (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 336 and approved enrollment in Advanced Cinematography Track.
Designed to further student’s understanding of art and craft of cinematography, especially lighting, exposure, composition, lenses, film stocks, video formats, filters, telecine, and lab procedures. Students are required to shoot and crew on advanced narrative projects produced in FEA 340.
Letter grade only (A-F).
342. Advanced Film/Video Production II (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 340 and approved enrollment in Advanced Narrative Production Track.
Experience in post production and completion of original films and videos resulting in public exhibition. Emphasis is on film editing.
Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee required. (Laboratory 9 hours.)
343. Advanced Cinematography II (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 341 and approved enrollment in Advanced Cinematography Track.
Designed to further student’s understanding of art and craft of cinematography. Emphasis is on individual research into specific issues of film and video image making and production of short film and video projects in support of research.
Letter grade only (A-F).
344. Directing (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Option in Film/Video Production.
Theory and practical experience in directing of narrative film. Emphasis on directing actors in fictional work.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Activity hours to be arranged.)
346. The European Cinema of Communism, Fascism and Resistance (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation, one or more Exploration courses and upper division standing.
Focuses on European cinema of the twentieth century as a manifestation of totalitarian and ideological movements preceding, in-between and following the two world wars. The ensuing and ongoing resistance movements will also be examined.
Same course as HIST 346I, RGR 346I.
355. Audio-Video-Film Activity (1)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Group and individual experience in areas of audio-video-film production, and broadcast education. Specific assignments determined in consultation with instructor.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 2 units. (Activity hours to be arranged.)
363. International Electronic Media Systems (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 or consent of instructor.
Comparative analysis of internal and external electronic media systems with emphasis on their motives, origins, technologies, and programming. Consideration of political, economic, regulatory constraints, and potential impact of new technologies.
Letter grade only (A-F).
364. Global Electronic Media Communication (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 or consent of instructor.
Study of international electronic media systems targeted toward other nations with emphasis on their cultural, economic, and political influences. Focus on the impact of new technologies on cross border communication.
Letter grade only (A-F).
373. Electronic Media Programming (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 or consent of instructor.
Principles and practices of programming for electronic media networks, television and radio stations, and local cable systems. Analysis of relationship between programming, promotion, and profit.
Letter grade only (A-F).
376. Film and Electronic Media Sales and Promotion (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Study of marketing, promotion, and sales among film distributors, production companies, program suppliers, broadcast networks, cable systems, local radio, television, and cable operators. Theory and application of media research principles, promotion strategies. Development of selling skills.
Letter grade only (A-F).
380. Documentary History and Theory (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 302 or consent of instructor.
Critical study of history, methods, and aesthetics of documentary production. Focus on problems of representation, objectivity, and personal style.
Letter grade only (A-F).
381. Directing the Documentary (3)
Prerequisite: FEA 336, Corequisite: FEA 380.
Exploration of theory and practice of documentary filmmaking. Emphasis on relationship between documentary and fiction film. Production requirement will include shooting and editing a 5-10 minute documentary film/video.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Laboratory 9 hours)
382. Digital Documentary Production I
Prerequisites: FEA 336 or consent of instructor.
Theory and practice researching, structuring, writing, directing and producing a comprehensive digital video documentary (to be completed in FEA 383) with equal emphasis on the interview and visual storytelling.
Letter grade only (A-F). (9 laboratory hours)
383. Digital Documentary Production II (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 382 or consent of instructor.
Theory and practice producing and editing a comprehensive digital video documentary with special emphasis on narration, sound effects, and music. This will entail the completion through post-production of videos begun in FEA 382.
Letter grade only. (Laboratory 9 hours)
392. International Cinema (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 302, or consent of instructor.
Variable topics explore domain of international cinema.
Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics.
A. European Cinema 1930-1960
B. European Cinema 1960-1990
C. Latin American Cinema
D. Japanese Cinema
E. Spanish Cinema (Same course as SPAN 428)
394. American Film Genres (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 302 or consent of instructor.
Historical and critical examination of Hollywood film genres. Places genre analysis and theory within sociocultural perspective. Genres include Western, film noir, science fiction/horror, detective/gangster, musical, war films, screwball comedy, and family melodrama.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters.
399. Media Aesthetics (3)
Prerequisite: Major status.
Study of aesthetic principles governing media productions. Emphasis on relationships between various art forms and development of critical vocabulary.
Students must achieve a grade of “B” or better in order to gain or maintain status as a major or minor. Letter grade only (A-F).
401./501. Film Critical Theory (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 302 or consent of instructor.
Study of contemporary theoretical models of film analysis and evaluation. Topics include: Structuralism, Feminism, Psychoanalytic Theory, Narratology, Cultural Studies, Post colonialism, Queer Theory, and Post-modernism.
Letter grade only (A-F).
402. TV Critical Theory (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 310 or consent of instructor.
Examines television from aesthetic and textual perspectives. Including distinctive ways television produces meanings. Topics to be covered include semiotics, postmodernism, and feminism, as well as narrative, ideological, and psychoanalytic theories of criticism.
Letter grade only (A-F).
403. Diverse Media: Writing and Production (3)
Prerequisites: Major status or consent of instructor.
Advanced and workshop in professional writing and production of film, television, theatre, and diverse media. Working as a group, students develop, and exhibit creative works. Provides a professional production experience covering various genres and formats.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units in different semesters.
404. Advanced Scriptwriting for Film and Electronic Media (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 303 or 304 with a “B” or better, or ENGL 405 or 407 with a “B” or better, or consent of instructor.
Writing dramatic and comedic screenplays and teleplays. Includes study of produced models with emphasis on the creative process.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
405./505. Comedy Writing (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 303 or 304 with a “B” or better, or ENGL 405 or 407 with a “B” or better, or consent of instructor.
Study of a variety of historical and contemporary models. Practice in the creation of print pieces; stand-up routines; scripts for television, film, and other media. Heavy focus on comedy as social, political, and technological criticism.
Letter grade only (A-F).
408./508. Writing the Screen Adaptation (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 303 or 304 with a “B” or better, or ENGL 405 or 407 with a “B” or better, for 508, approval of the MFA (Screenwriting) Coordinators or consent of instructor.
Writing script adaptations, with a study of adaptation theory and successful adaptational models.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Same course as Engl 408.
412./512. American Television and African Americans (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 310 or consent of instructor.
Comparative examination of the depiction of African Americans in American network and syndicated television in a variety of types of programs.
Letter grade only (A-F).
415. Electronic Editing (3)
Prerequisites: Admission to the Option in Film/Video Production or consent of instructor.
Principles of non-linear editing in post-production.
Letter grade only (A-F).
420. Electronic Media: Labor and Management (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with “B” or better or consent of instructor.
Study of management and labor in the changing field of telecommunications, with emphasis upon manager’s roles and functions in labor intensive cable, film, radio, television and related industries.
Letter grade only (A-F).
430. Government Media Policy and Politics (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 300 and 310 and an additional 6 units in the major.
Current issues, policies, and regulations affecting cable, film, radio, television industries, including impact of new technologies.
Letter grade only (A-F).
454. Italian Cinema (3)
Historical and critical examination of Italian cinema.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as ITAL 454.
456. French Cinema (3)
Historical and critical examination of French cinema.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as FREN 456.
457. Between Berlin and Hollywood: German Cinema (3)
Acquaint students with art of medium, particularly as it is realized through artist most responsible for its success or failure, in this case director.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as GERM 480.
458. Russian Cinema (3)
Prerequisites: Upper division standing.
Focuses on socio-political and aesthetic aspects of Russian Cinema, delineating following periods: Soviet Silent Cinema, Stalinist Cinema, Cinema under Thaw, Cinema under Brezhnev and contemporary cinema.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as RUSS 428.
486I. Alternative Media (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the G.E. Foundation, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Critical study of censorship and suppression of information in mainstream media by governmental and corporate entities. Focus on importance of freedom information and access to diverse viewpoints. Students research environmental, multicultural, peace, and other issues utilizing alternative media.
490./590. Special Topics in Film and Electronic Arts (3)
Major status. For 590: Conditional Classified Status in the MFA (Screenwriting) Degree Program or Conditional classified or Full Status in the MFA (Creative Writing Degree Program, or consent of instructor.
Topics of current interest in radio-television-film selected for intensive development.
Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units with different topics; only 6 units may be applied toward the B.A.
492. Internship (3)
Prerequisites: Senior standing in major or consent of instructor.
Students intern with cooperating media facilities.
Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
498./598. Advanced Seminar (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 399 with a “B” or better and senior standing in the FEA major. For 598: Conditional Classified Status in the MFA (Screenwriting) Degree Program or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of significant issues in film and electronic media.
Letter grade only (A-F).
499./599. Special Projects in Film and Electronic Arts (1-3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with a “B” or better. For 599: Conditional Classified Status in the MFA (Screenwriting) Degree Program or consent of instructor.
Research into an area of special interest to the student, culminating in a research paper or production. Productions will be limited by equipment and facilities available during any term.
501./401. Film Critical Theory (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 302 and 406/506 and an additional 6 units in film studies or consent of instructor.
Study of contemporary theoretical models of film analysis and evaluation. Topics include: Structuralism, Feminism, Psychoanalytic Theory, Narratology, Cultural Studies, Post colonialism, Queer Theory, and Post-modernism.
Letter grade only (A-F).
505./405. Comedy Writing (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 303 or 304 with a “B” or better, or ENGL 405 or 407 with a “B” or better, or consent of instructor.
Study of a variety of historical and contemporary models. Practice in the creation of print pieces; stand-up routines; scripts for television, film, and other media. Heavy focus on comedy as social, political, and technological criticism.
Letter grade only (A-F).
508./408. Writing the Screen Adaptation (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 303 or 304 with a “B” or better, or ENGL 405 or 407 with a “B” or better. For 508: approval of the MFA (Screenwriting) Coordinators or consent of instructor.
Writing script adaptations, with study of adaptation theory and successful adaptational models.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
512./412. American Television and African Americans (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with a “B” or better and fulfillment of the GWAR or consent of instructor.
Comparative examination of depiction of African Americans in American network and syndicated television in a variety of types of programs.
Letter grade only (A-F).
590./490 Special Topics in Film and Electronic Arts (3)
Prerequisites: Major status. For 590: Conditional Classified Status in the MFA (Screenwriting) Degree Program or Conditional Classified or consent of instructor.
Topics of current interest in film and electronic arts selected for intensive development.
Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated for a maximum of 9 units with different topics, only 6 units may be applied toward the B.A.
598./498 Advanced Seminar (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 399 with a “B” or better and fulfillment of the GWAR and senior standing in the FEA major. For 598: Conditional Classified Status in the MFA (Screenwriting) Degree Program or consent of instructor.
Intensive study of significant issues in film and electronic arts.
Letter grade only (A-F).
599./499. Special Projects in Film and Electronic Arts (3)
Prerequisites: Major status, FEA 399 with a “B” or better. For 599: Conditional Classified Status in the MFA (Screenwriting) Degree Program or Conditional Classified or consent of instructor.
Research into an area of special interest to the student, culminating in a research paper or production. Productions will be limited by equipment and facilities available during any term.
604A. Advanced Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
Open to graduate students only and consent of instructor.
Advanced seminar and intensive workshop in creative writing, reading, criticism, media history, and aesthetics. From a thematic basis, course covers prose, poetry, and all formats and genres of omni media, leading students from text-for-print creativity to text-for-performance and screen/film/video art.
Letter grade only (A-F).
604B. Advanced Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 604A and consent of instructor.
Advanced workshop in intensive thematic and creative consciousness, writing, criticism, media history, aesthetics, and instructional paradigms, as students write, workshop, revise, and complete a long-form screenplay.
Letter grade only (A-F).
604C. Advanced Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 604A and 604B, or consent of instructor.
Advanced workshop in intensive and practical creative writing for collaborative media. Long-form screenplay developed and drafted to completion by class as a group, then submitted to industry professionals, and finally revised pursuant to creative commentary and business necessity.
Letter grade only (A-F).
604D. Advanced Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
Prerequisites: FEA 604A, 604B, 604C, and consent of instructor.
Advanced seminar and intensive workshop in creative writing, reading, criticism, media history, aesthetics, and the teaching of a creative writing curriculum. Course leads students to completion of their Thesis Project Proposals.
Letter grade only (A-F).