Taught by: Dr Jonathan Frome
Content (Structure/Organization): 3
AY23-24 Semester 2 was the first time Prof Frome was teaching this particular course. As a result, the course's structure, while planned out, was equally dependent on the students via feedback taken at the end of each class. He also makes it abundantly clear that the course is still evolving. Personally, I enjoyed the dynamic nature of the course as it allowed prof to design future classes by working upon our feedback.
More specifically, the first half of the semester had a organised structure with different cognitive film theory concepts covered each week while the second half felt relatively unorganised as it mainly dealt with our final papers and at times felt like a recap of NTW, hence the score.
Accessibility and Assessment: 5
Prof Frome provides students with a lot of supplementary readings in addition to the course readings to ensure that students properly understands the concepts. As someone with limited background in cognitive film theory, I felt the concepts were easy to pick up. YouTube videos shown by prof during class that showed visual examples and simplified the concepts were particularly helpful.
Manageability of Workload: 3
Assignments are given throughout the semester with varying levels of intensity, usually ranging from 200 words to 500 words written exercises per week. They can take the form of analysing a YouTube video, using a film to explain a particular concepts, or something similar which I personally found quite interesting.
As mentioned, the course is subject to change and the assignments/workload might vary across semesters. Prof is understanding if certain assignments seem to intense/time-consuming and gives leeways and extensions accordingly.
Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades:
Prof Frome is one of those professors who doesn't care much about grades (or at least claims so) as long as students show enthusiasm and participate actively.
Any grades apart from the midterm aren't shared as the assignments are evaluated holistically at the end of the course. Feedback is still provided.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
I took the course purely out of interest. As someone who enjoys watching films regularly, I tend to question why the medium is as effective as it is in invoking thought and emotion. I believe the course has successfully helped provide me a path to answering the question and a lot more that I had about how we perceive films, or any visual media for that matter. Although what I've learnt may not necessarily help me professionally, I will reminisce the concepts taught every time I watch a film (which is honestly quite often).
For anyone really interested in the subject matter, I would recommend this course.
About the Instructor:
A short disclaimer: the course focuses more on the psychology behind viewing films and viewer reaction rather than analysing film techniques as a regular film studies course would. (The latter is still covered in the course to some extent.)