while all the topics suggested in the query below seem interesting and important, i note that none of them deal in any way with the cienmatic specificity of the film medium, instead dealing with certain thematics that in principle [and no doubt in practice as well] surely are presetn in other expressions of contemporary culture . . it's possible to argue -- on even numbered days i make the argument myself -- that these themes are the "most important" element in the package of the film experience . . . but i would imagine that a course called "Contemporary Film Criticism" really owes it to those enrolled to devote at least a little attention to such issues as montage theory, the gaze, the construction of ideology via images, film as document vs. film as art, reception theory, questions of images as a language, to choose just a few issues that come immediately to mind . . . . . . perhaps the simplest way to do this is to use an anthology [the latest FILM GENRE READER, or the latest version of the gerald mast, or bordwell's recent revisionist collection] mike frank ************************************************* ORIGINAL MESSAGE: I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have in developing a course titled "Contemporary Film Criticism" I am teaching a three-credit undergraduate (junior level) course which has not been taught in years. The six week course, according to the catalogue, is an analysis and evaluation of contemporary films and criticism. "Students trace current feature films to their artistic and cinematic roots and assess the value of the new offerings. At the same time they evaluation national criticism (not reviews) of new offerings. After giving an overview of film reviews/criticism/analysis in terms of style and purpose, I thought I would address specific issues in relation to current films. For example how the us vs. them mentality has resurface in alien films (MEN IN BLACK, INDEPENDENCE DAY), which can be examined in relation to 1950's sci-fi. I am also thinking of devoting a session to recent films (like Greg Arraki's NOWHERE and CHASING AMY) which deal with the bisexual ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.sa.ua.edu/screensite