FMST 022. Cinema and Modernity, 1894-1934

This course explores the first decades of film history in the context of global modernity and artistic modernism. In form and content, silent-era cinema functioned as both a vector and a reflection of the transformative subjective and social experiences of modernity. Urbanization, immigration, consumerism, and women's participation in the labor force were refracted in silent movie genres and stars. We will pay special attention to cinema's internationalism before the introduction of synchronized sound, looking at film culture and national film stars in Asia as well as the U.S. and Europe. Field trips and guests will address key topics of film historiography including archives and preservation and film music.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Eligible for FMST
Catalog chapter: Film and Media Studies
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/film-media-studies

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