Stephen, What about using Maasik and Solomon's "On Semiotics"? They don't really address one film specifically, but they talk about various stereotypes, and it's a very readable article for undergrads. For example, you could screen Mildred Pierce and talk about the way gender and economic ideologies are related, which connects to the Maasik and Solomon piece. Just a thought. Out of curiousity, what text will you be using? I also feel like Braudy and Cohen is too advanced for my intro students here, but Giannetti is too focused on reading mise-en-scene. Ideas? Jen Jen Schneider, Ph.D. Lecturer, Liberal Arts and International Studies Coordinator, Nature and Human Values and LAIS Writing Center Colorado School of Mines Stratton Hall 424, 1005 14th St. Golden, CO 80401 Ph: 303-273-3628 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Film and TV Studies Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stephen Tropiano Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 12:48 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [SCREEN-L] Teaching semiotics/structuralism/film theory for undergraduates To those who can relate: I am making an effort to "retool" my undergraduate film theory course this semester. I am once again using Braudy & Cohen's FILM THEORY & CRITICISM (though I am planning to move on to another text in the fall because I have finally faced the fact that it is not an appropriate undergraduate text for my students). My question is this: I would like to devote a class to semiotics and structuralism prior to discussing genre and would appreciate your recommendations. Ideally, I would like to screen a film and have my students read semiotic/structuralist analysis of the text, but one that they will actually be able to understand. I have found examples for television--but few for film. I know this sounds like a very basic request, but I have decided to get back to the "basics" for my undergraduate theory class. I would also appreciate other films that you feel have worked in regards to genre, film narrative, ideology, and feminism. Yours in the struggle, Stephen Tropiano [log in to unmask] Stephen Tropiano Director, Ithaca College Los Angeles Program Editor, Journal of Film and Video James B. Pendleton Center 3800 Barham Blvd. Suite 305 Los Angeles, California 90068 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it. - George Bernard Shaw Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. -Albert Einstein You'll never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race. - George Bernard Shaw ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.ScreenSite.org ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.ScreenSite.org