CINE 18
American Cinema

Course Information 

CINE 18 American Cinema is an introductory course in film studies examining the history and development of Hollywood and the movie business and their sustained influence on American culture. The tools of cinematic grammar in creating a universal visual language are also explored.

ADVISORY: ENGL 88 or ESL 188 or readiness for college-level English. There are significant demands of reading, watching films and clips and writing in this class.

While no special materials or programs are required beyond the textbook, though you should have a Canvas-ready laptop or desktop and regular, reliable internet access, this course is media heavy. There is a wealth of streaming video content in each Module. It is not recommended to complete class related work on a phone or tablet.

Important Dates

CINE 18 American Cinema is an online class with no in-person meetings. The course is not self-paced, it covers 1-2 Modules a week with required Discussions, Quizzes, Midterm and Final Exam.

Course Syllabus

For a look at the semester details (weekly breakdown, reading assignments, grade breakdown, etc.), see the course website. The full syllabus will be available to registered students on the first day of class in Canvas.

Required Textbook

Please ensure you obtain the required textbook before the class beings. It is essential for your success in the class.  

American Film: A History (2nd Edition) by Jon Lewis

ISBN 978-0393664898

All material for the class comes from the 2nd edition. Use the older edition at your own risk.

Cover of American Film A History, 2nd edition

Waitlist and Class Add Requests

Before the class begins: Once the class is full, students are able to request placement on the wait list. The wait list has ten spots. If a spot opens up in the class before it begins, the registration system will contact the first person on the wait list via CCSF email to offer them the spot. Wait list students are given a window of time (24 hours) to add the class before their spot is offered to the next student on the wait list. You must check your CCSF email every day. If you are offered a spot in the class and you miss your window, you will be removed from the wait list and your spot will be offered to the next student on the list. Please do not email me about adding the class. Registration will contact you via CCSF email if any spots are available. Thank you.

After the class begins: Once the class has begun, the wait list disappears! After the course has begun, all students who were previously on the wait list need to add themselves to the “Class Add Request” list ASAP. Any student can add themselves to the “Class Add Request” list. If there are any open spots in the class after it begins, I will authorize adds for as many spots that are available from the “Class Add Request” list in order on the first day of class and throughout Week 1. You must check your CCSF email every day. If you are offered a spot in the class and you miss your window, you will be removed from the “Class Add Request” list and your spot will be offered to the next student on the list.

IMPORTANT: I will not add any students to the class after the first week. I will not give extensions on assignments due at the end of Week 1 for students adding the class late in Week 1. As soon as the class enters Week 2, the roster is set, and the class moves forward.

Placement on the wait list or “Class Add Request” list does not guarantee a spot in the class. Please continue to look for other open CCSF classes and assume that you will not get into the class. The registration system might indicate that spots are open in the class when in fact those spots are waiting to be claimed by those on the wait list or “Class Add Request” list.