The focus in this course will be on these film topics: history and development, the studio system, economic structure, technical and critical vocabulary, style, the star, genres, themes, and audience. Instructional films and readings will enable the student to understand each of these topics; furthermore, the student will view several classic and contemporary American films to exemplify and clarify cinematic techniques and concepts. The student will become able to think and write critically about film and its role in American culture.