Academic year: 2025-26
Course: Foundation Course Humanities/ Science
Credits: 3
Period: first semester
Number of hours: 24
Teacher(s): Coraline Refort (coraline.refort@sorbonne-nouvelle.fr)
Language of instruction: English
Aims of the course
The Introduction to Film History course provides students with a general overview of the major periods, movements, and stylistic innovations in world cinema. It is directed to offering students the opportunity to become familiar with key concepts, films, and debates that have shaped the development of cinema. Special attention will be given to the historical, cultural, and industrial contexts of film, as well as to the methods of analyzing and interpreting cinematic texts. The aim of the course is to develop film literacy, critical thinking, and an awareness of cinema as both an artistic and cultural practice.
Contents
The course is structured around five modules that trace the history of cinema through key periods and movements. It begins with the Silent Era, focusing on the origins of film, its aesthetics, international pioneers, and the rise of the star system. The second module explores Hollywood’s Golden Age, examining the studio system, popular genres, and the role of divas and stardom. The third turns to postwar Europe with the French New Wave and Italian Neorealism, highlighting realism, experimentation, and the political dimensions of cinema. The fourth module analyzes Hollywood after World War II, from Hitchcock and film noir to New Hollywood auteurs, the blockbuster era of Jaws and Star Wars, and issues of counterculture, race, and gender representation. Finally, the course concludes with contemporary global cinema, looking at transnational trends and the impact of digital culture. Each module combines lectures, discussions, and film screenings of complete works or excerpts.
Skills
Students will gain: 1) The ability to analyze film form and style. 2) A deeper understanding of cinema’s historical and cultural contexts.3) Skills in critical thinking, discussion, and written analysis.
Methodology
Each session will combine lecture, discussion, and film screenings (complete films or selected excerpts). Materials and readings will be provided in advance in PDF format.
The final mark will be based on a written exam (30 points total):
– Multiple-choice questions on course content (10 points)
– One film analysis (10 points)
– One essay question (10 points)
Bibliography
Readings will be provided in English translation to ensure equal preparation. All specific texts and presentations will be made available by the lecturer.
No pre-knowledges required.
For any question students can be received at the Department under appointment. Please contact directly the lecturer per email at: coraline.refort@sorbonne-nouvelle.fr