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COURSES OF STUDY
MFS 221 Film Production II (1)
An examination of non-fiction video production. Through production
work, screenings, readings, and discussion, we will explore various
styles and strategies for making artwork that draws upon the richness
of the world that surrounds us. The course will focus on employing
observational filmmaking techniques to capture people and places in
the Birmingham area. Prerequisite: MFS 220.
MFS 222 Screenwriting (1)
An examination of screenwriting using classical narrative structure. The
course focuses on conventional storytelling elements like goals,
conflicts, development, and resolution and how these are employed
to clearly tell a story, engage the viewers’ attention, and elicit
emotions from the audience. There will be an emphasis on using
classical storytelling devices in a coherent and creative manner.
MFS 250 History of Documentary Film (1)
An introductory survey of documentary film. The course will focus
on some of the major developments in documentary practice, while
also considering a number of theoretical issues in the documentary
tradition, including the problem of objectivity, the relationship between
the documentary image and reality, and the mixing of fiction and non-
fiction modes. The goals of this course are to introduce students to
the important historical trends and concepts and to help develop the
critical and analytical skills needed to understand the structure, style,
and rhetorical strategies of documentary film (a Leadership Studies
designated course). (Also listed as HON 250.)
MFS 293, 393, 493 Independent Study in Media and Film Studies (½ or 1)
Directed study for advanced students in the major. Specific guidelines
concerning independent study projects appear in the Individualized
Study section of this catalog.
MFS 298, 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Media and Film Studies (½ or 1)
A teaching experience course. Specific guidelines concerning teaching
experiences appear in the Individualized Study section of this catalog.
MFS 300 Media and Society (1)
An exploration of the interactive relationship between media and
society from political, psychological, economic, and sociological
perspectives. This course will focus on how media sources such as
television, film, and the Internet, influence society at group and
individual levels and how society, in turn, influences the creation and
production of media. (Also listed as PS 300, PY 300, SO 300; may be
taken only once.) Offered on alternate years in the spring.