MACS 496

Fall 2014 All Classes

All Classes

Credit: 3 OR 4 hours.

Advanced study of cultural, social, historical, economic, and/or political issues in media and/or cinema; topics vary but may include national and transnational cinemas, directors, genres, historical movements, social and political movements, thematic studies, television, convergence culture, new media.

3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated in the same or separate terms to a maximum of 6 undergraduate hours or 8 graduate hours as topics vary. Prerequisite: One College of Media course or consent of instructor.

MACS 496 class schedule data for fall 2014
CRN Type Section Time Day Location Instructor Section Details
57694
Lecture-Discussion
A3
10:00AM -1:20PM
TR
N107 Turner Hall
Turnock, J
Part of Term:
B
Date Range:
10/20/14-12/10/14
Credit:
3 hours
Section Title:
Special Effects
Section Info:
MOVIE MAGIC: VISUAL EFFECTS AND CGI This roughly chronological course will explore special effects technology, history and aesthetics. More specifically, we will use the technological history of special effects (which span cinema history) to examine representational strategies of film. Academic interest in cinematic special effects has largely been limited to discussion of genre (especially science fiction) or by theoretical interest in "the digital". This course will take a more broad historical view, in order to question the various binaries common in discussions of special effects, especially optical vs. digital, and realism vs. fantasy. Drawing on texts by theorists and practioners alike, we will examine how the films mobilize specific technologies, and the aesthetic frameworks they bring into play. Students will be expected to apply "close viewing" strategies to assignments, specifically to understand how specific effects techniques discussed are functioning in specific instances, both technologically and discursively. In addition, students will put these viewing and analyzing practices to work in a longer, research based final paper. The course will discuss the wide variety of films that have made extensive and creative use of special effects. We will screen films ranging from early trick films, experimentation in the silent era, studio-era process photography and optical printing, 1960s avant-garde animation, the intensified interest of special effects work in 1970s blockbusters, and into the digital era beginning in the early 1990s, to the present. PLEASE NOTE: Sophomores may register with instructor's permission.
Restriction(s):
Restricted to students with Junior, Senior, or Graduate class standing.
61193
Lecture-Discussion
C3
3:00PM -5:50PM
M
147 Armory
Ciafone, A
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/25/14-12/10/14
Credit:
3 hours
Section Title:
Coca Cola Culture
Section Info:
Coca-Cola Culture: Media and Commodities Description: Class examines an iconic corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, as both a major economic and cultural producer through its mediated commodities across 6 continents and through its over 100-year history. Key topics include: company advertising and marketing, consumer cultural practices and consumption, popular cultural representations, activist and protest media, public relations and stakeholder communications, corporate films and internal communications, museums and corporate spaces, to name a few. Evaluated work will include regular attendance, 3 papers (2 short and 1 longer), contribution to a collective web archive, oral presentations, and active participation in class discussion. Meets with MDIA 568 (CRN 63747).
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