Undergraduate Bulletin

Fall 2024

CCS: Cinema and Cultural Studies

CCS 200: Media History

Explores the emergence, development, and use of media technologies over time, from the spoken word and the printing press to computer graphics and the Internet. Through an investigation of social, economic, and technological conditions we will investigate how and why various media were developed, used, and repurposed by industries, governments, artists, and users. The course will also serve as a general introduction to historical analysis and research methods.

DEC:     D
SBC:     ARTS

3 credits

CCS 202: Film Genres

An introduction to the study of film through the examination of a single or multiple genres. Special attention is given to genre theory and cultural considerations or genre.

DEC:     D
SBC:     ARTS

3 credits

CCS 203: Cinema History

An introductory study of cinema history either via a historical survey, or focus on a particular period. Emphasis is placed on global cinema history within the contexts of: exhibition, audience, regulation, technology, film form, style, and movements, industry, distribution, and select national contributions. Previously offered as CCS 205 and CCS 206. Not for credit in addition to CCS 205 or 206.

DEC:     D
SBC:     ARTS, GLO

3 credits

CCS 204: The Stony Brook Film Festival: Films and Contexts

Course offered in summer only. We will attend the Stony Brook Film Festival as active participants. Students will be introduced to the history of film festivals and examine issues of film distribution and acquisition and how they relate to both the mainstream and independent film traditions. At the Stony Brook Film Festival, students will see the films, interact with both the organizers and the filmmakers, and engage in lively discussion about the films and the filmmaking process. Students will gain basic cinematic terminology, analytical tools used to interpret cinematic art and a basic understanding of the cinema industry.

DEC:     D
SBC:     ARTS

3 credits

CCS 301: Cinema and Media Theory

Recent trends in critical theory applied to the study of film, television, literature, popular music, and other types of "cultural production." In-depth analyses of specific literary, visual, and musical texts are situated within structures of power among communities, nations, and individuals. Exploration of how identities of locality, gender, ethnicity, race, and class are negotiated through cultural forms.

Prerequisite: CCS 101 or CCS 201

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, DIV, HFA+

3 credits

CCS 311: Gender and Genre in Film

Examination of the notion of genre as a category of analysis and its often conflictive relationship to gender in the context of specific genres (the western, film noir, the horror film) and film story. Attention is paid to a particular genre's appeal to men and/or women as well as its relationship to larger social, cultural, and political issues. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing and one D.E.C. B or HUM course

DEC:     G
SBC:     DIV, HFA+

3 credits

CCS 312: Cinema and the Ancient World

A reading of Classical Texts alongside their representation in the cinema. Readings will include classical literature, contemporary treatments of the classics, and film theory. We will pay special attention to how filmmakers are much more attentive to ideas from the present than from the past when they construct their films around ancient texts.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course and one course from the following: CCS 101, CCS 201, CCS 202, CCS 203, CLL 215, CLT 235, HUF 211, HUG 221, HUI 231, HUR 241, THR 117

DEC:     I
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

CCS 313: Television Studies

This course maps the social, cultural, and technological changes that the medium/media of television has experienced from its early ties to radio models of broadcast to the changes in reception wrought by digital technologies.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course

DEC:     H
SBC:     ESI, STAS

3 credits

CCS 325: Culture in Context

Theoretical and methodological examination of culture within specific contexts, settings, or time-periods. Emphasis may include historical, social, economic, political, ecological or material contexts. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

DEC:     F
SBC:     SBS+

3 credits

CCS 381: Topics in Cinema Studies

An examination of cinema within diverse cultural, historical, social, or technological contexts. Emphasis is placed on the study of cinema from an interdisciplinary perspective. Attention may be focused on a particular era, director, genre, area, practice, or phenomenon. May be repeated as the topic changes, to a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 Standing

SBC:     HFA+, WRTD

3 credits

CCS 382: Topics in Media and Popular Culture

This course examines the historical, political, and social forces that surround media and popular culture. In this class students learn to read critically across multiple media forms. Attention may be focused on a particular era, group, institution, type of object, or event. May be repeated as the topic changes, to a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: EGL 220 and U3 or U4 status

3 credits

CCS 383: Topics in Game Studies

The course critically examines video games within cultural, social, political, and historical contexts. It is designed to afford an immersive study of a range of topics pertinent to the scholarly study of video games. Possible topics include: game history, games art and design, game preservation, game play and experience, games and culture, racial and gendered subjectivities. This course is offered as both CCS 383 and DIA 383. May be repeated as the topic changes, to a maximum of 6 credits. Previously offered as CCS/DIA 396 and CCS/DIA 397. Not for credit in addition to CCS/DIA 396 and CCS/DIA 397.

Prerequisite: EGL 220 and U3 or U4 status

DEC:     H
SBC:     ESI, STAS

3 credits

CCS 391: Topics in Contemporary African Cinema and Cultural Studies

This course will examine African traditions of graphic writing in their theoretical, literary, and cinematographic application. The emphasis will be placed on the visual arts and their political significance in contemporary African debates, and of particular interest will be the production of contemporary artists, the strategies they use, and their impact in both global and local discussions. The artifacts will additionally serve as tools to investigate the modalities of a contemporary African self-understanding through the lenses of images and graphic design. Repeatable as the topic changes, for a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course and one course from the following: CCS 101, CCS 201, CCS 202, CCS 203, CLL 215, CLT 235, HUF 211, HUG 221, HUI 231, HUR 241, THR 117

DEC:     J
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

CCS 392: Topics in American Cinema and Cultural Studies

The history of cinema as art has been directly linked to the evolution and increment of multicultural societies. This course studies the ways in which film has either included or excluded representations of multiculturalism in the United States, and how films have discussed and participated in the different debates about cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, gender and class difference within the United States. The course studies theoretical concepts such as difference, ethnicity, migration, incorporation and cultural contact zones. Repeatable as the topic changes, for a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course and one course from the following: CCS 101, CCS 201, CCS 202, CCS 203, CLL 215, CLT 235, HUF 211, HUG 221, HUI 231, HUR 241, THR 117

DEC:     K
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

CCS 393: Topics in European Cinema and Cultural Studies

A comparative study of European cinema in a historical, cultural, and political context. The course will concentrate on those films and movements that achieved a major impact in their country of origin as well as received international critical attention. May be repeated as the topic changes, to a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course and one course from the following: CCS 101, CCS 201, CCS 202, CCS 203, CLL 215, CLT 235, HUF 211, HUG 221, HUI 231, HUR 241, THR 117

DEC:     I
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

CCS 394: Topics in Asian Cinema and Cultural Studies

This course is an overview of the history of Asian cinemas, with an emphasis on the geopolitical study of China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Taiwan. By focusing on issues relating to nationhood, cultural production, gender relations, and the impact of colonialism and globalization, the course will explore the commonalities, and/or particularities between the various cinemas, based on a set of overlapping themes and cultural aesthetics. Repeatable as the topic changes, for a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course and one course from the following: CCS 101, CCS 201, CCS 202, CCS 203, CLL 215, CLT 235, HUF 211, HUG 221, HUI 231, HUR 241, THR 117

DEC:     J
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

CCS 395: Topics in Digital Technology and Culture

This course critically examines how digital media and technology assist in the redesign of our political, economic, social, and cultural worlds. Special attention is paid to theories of digital media and historical developments of new technologies, as well as cultural practices with emergent technology. Repeatable for credit as the topic changes to a maximum of six credits.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course

DEC:     H
SBC:     ESI, STAS

3 credits

CCS 401: Senior Seminar in Cinema & Cultural Studies

Intensive study in a specific area of cinema and cultural studies. Possible topics include a film genre, a focused theoretical perspective, and the life and work of an important director or artist. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: CCS major and U4 standing; CCS 301

SBC:     SPK, WRTD

3 credits

CCS 444: Experiential Learning

This course is designed for students who engage in a substantial, structured experiential learning activity in conjunction with another class. Experiential learning occurs when knowledge acquired through formal learning and past experience are applied to a "real-world" setting or problem to create new knowledge through a process of reflection, critical analysis, feedback and synthesis. Beyond-the-classroom experiences that support experiential learning may include: service learning, mentored research, field work, or an internship.

Prerequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor and approval of the EXP+ contract (http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/EXPplus.php)

SBC:     EXP+

0 credit, S/U grading

CCS 458: Speak Effectively Before an Audience

A zero credit course that may be taken in conjunction with any CCS course that provides opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes of the Stony Brook Curriculum's SPK learning objective.

Pre- or corequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor

SBC:     SPK

0 credit, S/U grading

CCS 459: Write Effectively in Cinema and Cultural Studies

A zero credit course that may be taken in conjunction with any 300- or 400-level CCS course, with permission of the instructor. The course provides opportunity to practice the skills and techniques of effective academic writing and satisfies the learning outcomes of the Stony Brook Curriculum's WRTD learning objective.

Prerequisite: WRT 102; permission of the instructor

SBC:     WRTD

0 credit, S/U grading

CCS 475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. The student is required to attend all the classes, do all the regularly assigned work and meet with the faculty member at regularly scheduled times to discuss the intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course.

Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing; permission of instructor and department

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading

CCS 476: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum II

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. Students assume greater responsibility in such areas as leading discussions and analyzing results of tests that have already been graded. Students may not serve as teaching assistants in the same course twice.

Prerequisites: CCS 475; permission of instructor and chairperson

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading

CCS 487: Independent Research in Cinema and Cultural Studies

Intensive readings and research on a special topic undertaken with close faculty supervision. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and department

0-6 credits

CCS 488: Internship

May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credits.

Prerequisite: Permission of program advisor

SBC:     EXP+

0-6 credits, S/U grading

CCS 495: Senior Honors Project in Cinema and Cultural Studies

A one-semester project for cinema and cultural studies majors who are candidates for the degree with departmental honors. The project involves completion of an honors thesis or project under the close supervision of an appropriate faculty member and the written and oral presentation of the thesis or presentation of the project to the program faculty colloquium.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and undergraduate program director

3 credits