INTRODUCTION

The courses in the Film Studies programmes focus on the examination of some of the thousands of films made during the century of the medium's history. Although the history of cinema is brief compared to the other arts, the accomplishments are significant. Students in the programme come to understand the history of the medium as well as reach a greater critical awareness of both old and new cinema. Films are looked at in a very sophisticated, analytical way, in an effort to better understand the films and their relation to society. In some courses the emphasis is on examining film as one of the most important twentieth century arts, while in others, the emphasis is on exploring the social and political roles of film in the world. Still other courses combine both approaches. Our three screening rooms are equipped with 16mm and 35mm projection, and weekly screenings in our courses and seminars use these formats whenever possible.