FILM THEORIES PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code	Name of the Course Unit	Semester	In-Class Hours (T+P)	Credit	ECTS Credit
RTS298	FILM THEORIES	4	3	3	6

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language of Instruction :	Turkish
Level of the Course Unit :	BACHELOR'S DEGREE, TYY: + 6.Level, EQF-LLL: 6.Level, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course :	Compulsory
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit	-
Coordinator of the Course Unit	Assist.Prof. NİSA GÜLENER YILDIRIM
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit	Assist.Prof. BİLGE İPEK
Course Prerequisite	No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS
Objectives of the Course Unit:	The aim of this course is to examine the major theoretical approaches that have emerged in the field of cinema within their historical and intellectual contexts, and to equip students with the ability to analyze film texts through different theoretical frameworks. Throughout the course, students are expected to develop an understanding of why film theory emerged, to evaluate the relationship between cinema, theory, and the spectator from a multidimensional perspective, and to comprehend the fundamental distinctions between formalist and realist traditions. In addition, the course aims to enable students to apply psychoanalytic, feminist, Marxist, structuralist, postcolonial, queer, and cultural studies perspectives to film analysis, and to critically assess the representational, aesthetic, and ideological dimensions of cinema. The course positions theory not as a body of knowledge to be memorized, but as a tool for thinking that deepens film analysis and enhances students’ analytical and critical thinking skills.
Contents of the Course Unit:	This course examines the historical development of film theories from early aesthetic debates to contemporary discussions on digital cinema and new media. In the first part of the course, the nature of film theory, the reasons for its emergence, and the relationship between film, theory, and the spectator are discussed, along with the fundamental distinction between formalist and realist approaches. In the following weeks, key theoretical perspectives are addressed, including early film theories, André Bazin’s theory of realism, Soviet montage theory, auteur theory, structuralism and semiotics, psychoanalytic film theory, feminist film theory, Marxist ideology critique, cultural studies and reception theory, postcolonial and queer film theory, and postmodern cinema debates. In the final part of the course, contemporary theoretical discussions related to digital cinema, platform culture, and new media are explored. Theoretical approaches are concretized through selected film examples and scene analyses, enabling students to comparatively apply different perspectives in their own analyses.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY
Week	Preparatory	Topics(Subjects)	Method
1	-	Introduction to Film Theory	-
2	-	Early Film Theories: Hugo Münsterberg; Rudolf Arnheim	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
3	-	Soviet Montage Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
4	-	Realism Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
5	-	Auteur Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
6	-	Structuralism and Semiotics	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
7	-	Psychoanalytic Film Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
8	-	Feminist Film Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
9	-	Postcolonial Film Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
10	-	MID-TERM EXAM	-
11	-	Third Cinema Theory and Practice	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
12	-	Cultural Studies and Reception Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
13	-	Postmodern Film Theory	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
14	-	Digital Cinema and New Theories	Reading, Film Screening, Discussion
15	-	General Evaluation	Discussion
16	-	FINAL EXAM	-
17	-	FINAL EXAM	-

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING

ASSESSMENT
Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities	Number of Activities	Degree of Contribution (%)	Description	Examination Method
Mid-Term Exam	1	50		Classical Exam
Final Exam	1	50		Classical Exam
TOTAL	2	100

Level of Contribution
0	1	2	3	4	5

KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Define the basic concepts of economics, administrative and human sciences.		1
2	Summarize the basic communication theories with information about the field of Radio Television and Cinema.				3
3	Communicate and explain the current information about communication with communication theories.					4

KNOWLEDGE
Factual
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Relate the knowledge and facts in the field of communication with other areas of social sciences such as law, philosophy, economics, politics, and sociology.						5
2	Explain the structure and operation of the radio, television and cinema industries and use this information in their professional life.			2

SKILLS
Cognitive
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Using the data sources published in his / her field effectively, he /she conduct research and use the results in his / her studies.				3
2	Analyze the international media structures and choose the media structure that is appropriate for his/her community.			2

SKILLS
Practical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Analyze and evaluate social events at national and international level through media practices.						5

OCCUPATIONAL
Autonomy & Responsibility
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Apply his / her knowledge about media management and organization in his / her professional life.			2
2	Propose individual or team solutions for any problems in professional applications and production.			2

OCCUPATIONAL
Learning to Learn
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Follow the developments in the field of communication, the studies related to the field and the mass media tools, and critically discuss the acquired knowledge.						5
2	Critically interpret the economic, political and sociological dimensions of the media.						5
3	Recognize universal norms of law and evaluate existing structures in the field of communication in the context of communication law and communication ethics and apply these gains throughout life.		1

OCCUPATIONAL
Communication & Social
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Conduct literature research in a foreign language related to his/her field.		1
2	Prepare presentations for the film festival in Turkey and abroad, media organizations and communication symposia by using the communication skills.			2

OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational and/or Vocational
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Defend scientific, social and ethical values in his / her field studies.					4
2	Create film history, script, fiction, audio and video techniques knowledge and designs short or feature film stages.		1

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT
Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities
Type of the Learning Activites	Learning Activities (# of week)	Duration (hours, h)	Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities	14	3	42
Preliminary & Further Study	13	3	39
Land Surveying	0	0	0
Group Work	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Reading	13	4	52
Assignment (Homework)	0	0	0
Project Work	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Internship	0	0	0
Technical Visit	0	0	0
Web Based Learning	0	0	0
Implementation/Application/Practice	0	0	0
Practice at a workplace	0	0	0
Occupational Activity	0	0	0
Social Activity	0	0	0
Thesis Work	0	0	0
Field Study	0	0	0
Report Writing	0	0	0
Final Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Final Exam	10	1	10
Mid-Term Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam	5	2	10
Short Exam	0	0	0
Preparation for the Short Exam	0	0	0
TOTAL	57	0	155