Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

World Cinema (Face-to-Face)

LANG 3250-01

Course: LANG 3250-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: FLPH
CRN: 12539

Course Description

An overview of international film. Linked to the SUU French and Spanish Film festivals, this course will present an array of important directors from around the world. Emphases will include major directors, particular cinematographic techniques, and important movements in the history of international cinema, as well as how directors have influenced each others’ work. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

  1. Access to all of the assigned films. Many of the films on the calendar are available for streaming through Kanopy or Avon on the SUU Library website homepage. The few that are not available on Kanopy will be available for for rent on YouTube, Amazon, and other viewing platforms. The course calendar indicates where each film can be found; see calendar for dates films will be discussed and other course due dates. (All films will be available in their original language with English subtitles. Please note that this course requires you to view films in their entirety outside of class time).
  2. Access to assignments and other course materials on Canvas. 

Learning Outcomes

In LANG 3250: World Cinema, students will:
  1. Learn and discuss history, culture, current events, and cinematic traditions of the countries or cultures studied.
  2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of film analysis and criticism.
  3. Engage in the practice of intercultural awareness by recognizing and articulating cultural differences.
  4. Possess the ability to clearly present and discuss ideas relative to course materials both in writing and orally.

Course Requirements

Assignments. These assignments will help you achieve and demonstrate our learning outcomes:
  1. Attendance and Participation 25%
  2. 2 Writing Assignments 20%
  3. 2 Exams (midterm exam and final exam) 30%
  4. Pop Quizzes 12%
  5. Student-Led Class Discussions 10% 
  6. Cinema Terms & Topics Quiz 3%

Course Outline

Additional information about course requirements:
1. Attendance and participation: Students are expected to come to class having seen the assigned film and ready to discuss it and/or ask questions. Students who are in class, prepared, and participate in all activities or discussions earn full points. Students who attend but have not seen the film or are not prepared to participate will receive reduced points. Students must be in class to receive participation points. The following details what full participation entails:
  1. Attends every class and arrives on time
  2. Comes to class prepared, having watched the films and ready to participate in discussions
  3. Actively works to acquire narrative- or cinema- specific vocabulary and analytic skills by listening when instructors and classmates speak
  4. Always participates in whole-group or small-group discussions and activities; volunteers to participate when instructors or discussion leaders ask questions or seek ideas/input
  5. Volunteers to participate when instructors or discussion leaders ask questions or seek input and ideas
  6. Is not distracted during class (cell phones, social media, etc.). Phones can be used to look for information to augment class discussion
  7. Always participates in discussions, activities and reviews with substantive contributions (beyond  surface-level comments such as “I liked” or “I didn’t like the film”)
In case of emergency or prolonged illness which causes you to miss multiple class periods, please contact the professors to make arrangements to keep up or make up work.
2. Writing Assignments. Students will hand in 2 writing assignments (double-spaced, from 400-800 words, specifics topics to be announced as the semester continues). These essays should be a critical response to provided prompts. The objective is not to write about why you like or do not like the film; instead, work to engage with the films using the vocabulary and critical tools we have practiced in class. Written work will be handed in through Canvas. See Calendar for due dates. Late work will not be accepted without penalties. If you are seeking credit in Spanish, French, or German, you must write these writing assignments in your language of study.
3. Exams:  There will be two exams during the semester, a mid-term and a final. The exams will cover all films studied, ideas, information, film techniques and the vocabulary of film analysis included in class lectures and discussions. See Calendar for dates. 
4. Pop quizzes: Pop quizzes will verify that students have viewed an assigned film. 
5. Student-led class discussion: All students will be expected to lead a class discussion once during the semester on an assigned day in a group of two. To lead a discussion, students should:
*have a hand-out to guide their discussion
*begin with a thesis statement, summing up their over all take on the film
*have prepared a minimum of 3 questions that delve into cinematic elements of the film
*presentations should not exceed 15 minutes
*strike a balance within the group in terms of leading the discussion.
6. Cinema Terms & Topics Quiz: We will hand out a glossary of film terms in the first weeks of the semester. After discussing the terms in class, there will be a quiz. See calendar for the date. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Students must be present to receive attendance and participation points. We drop three pop quiz grades and do not allow makeups for pop quizzes because of the flexibility that dropping those grades provides students. Tests must be taken within the assigned window, but we are receptive to problem such as illness and in such cases, we allow students to reschedule. Late papers are penalized with the loss of points. 

Attendance Policy


Attendance and participation: Students are expected to come to class having seen the assigned film and ready to discuss it and/or ask questions. Students who are in class, prepared, and participate in all activities or discussions earn full points. Students must be in class to receive participation points. Attendance is taken each day, and the participation component of the grade is worth 25% of the final grade. 

Course Fees

$12 Fee

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.