Skip to content
  • Bucks for Students
    Enroll + Register
    • Academics
    • Admissions Information
    • Register for Courses
    • Placement Testing
    • Academic Advising
    • Majors + Certificates
    • College Catalog
    • Bucks Online
    • Honors at Bucks
    • Academic Departments
    • Student Forms

    Apply Now

    Planning + Payment
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Work Study Employment
    • Payment Options
    • Your Account
    • Tuition + Fees
    Transfer + Graduate
        • Transfer Information
        • Planning Your Transfer
        • Transfer by Institution
        • Transfer by Major
        • Graduation
        • Order a Transcript
        • Career Services
        • Digital Badges

    Life at Bucks
    • Student Affairs Office
    • First Year Experience
    • Student Life
    • Athletics
    • College Events
    • Fitness + Wellness
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Alumni
    • Bucks+

    Basic Needs

    • Accessibility Resources
    • Campus Services
    • Directory
    • Canvas
    • Bucks Email
    • Change Password
    • Pay Tuition
    • Student Planning
    • MyBucks
     
  • Bucks for Community

    Classes + Activities

    Icon of a pencil and brush
    Personal Enrichment
    • Art + Photography
    • Community+ Membership
    • Culinary Classes
    • Business Development
    • Health + Wellness
    • History + Special Interest
    • Home School
    • Foreign Language
    • Music
    • Test Prep
    • Browse All Courses
    Icon of a sun
    Kids on Campus Programs
    • Camps for Ages 5-6
    • Camps for Ages 7-9
    • Camps for Ages 10-12
    • Teen Experiences for Ages 13-17
    • Camp Information
    • Camp Scholarships
    • Preschool Summer Program
    • Register for Camp

    Events

    Event Programs
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Book Discussions
    • Concerts
    • Foundation Events
    • Poetry + Prose
    • Movie Monday
    • Trips + Travel 
    • Event Tickets

    Buy Tickets

    Event Venues

     
  • Bucks for Career
    Briefcase
    Career Development
    • Archaeology
    • Aviation
    • Child Development Associate
    • Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    • Educators (Act 48)
    • Floral Design
    • Locomotive Engineer
    • Nonprofit Management Series
    • Online Learning
    • Professional Development
    • School-Age Professional Credential
    • More
    Fire extinguisher
    Fire + Public Safety
    • Public Safety Training + Certificate Course Schedule
    • Fire Training Weekends
    • Industrial Safety Training (OSHA)
    • Virtual Public Safety Training
    • Other Training + Resources
    • Training Facilities
    • More
    Heart with line
    Healthcare
    • CPR + First Aid Training
    • Dental Assistant
    • Nurse Aide
    • Nursing Review & Reentry
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • Physical Therapy Aide
    • Practical Nursing
    • More
    Tools crossed
    Industrial + Manufacturing
    • Building & Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Metalwork Pre-Apprenticeship Training
    • Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Locomotive Engineer + Conductor
    • Welding Training
    • Workforce Development
    • More
    Man fixing server
    Information Technology
    • Certification Testing
    • Cyber Security
    • Database Development
    • Desktop Support (CompTIA)
    • Computer-Aided Design
    • Microsoft Office Software
    • Server Administration
    • Full Stack Web Developer
    • More
     
  • Library
  • Calendar + News
  • Diversity
  • Contact
Bucks County Community College

Courses + Programs

  Academics  —  Courses + Programs  —  Master Course Outlines

VACV141 The Art of Independent Cinema (formerly COMC141)

Department of Arts and Communication: Cinema/Video Production

I. Course Number and Title
VACV141 The Art of Independent Cinema (formerly COMC141)
II. Number of Credits
3 credits
III. Number of Instructional Minutes
2250
IV. Prerequisites
Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisites
None
V. Other Pertinent Information
Students must attend an off-campus film screening.
VI. Catalog Course Description
Students examine films made outside of the film industry, which fall into three genres -- experimental, documentary, and animated. Particular emphasis is given to form and technique and how they are used to express meaning. The course traces the development of alternative cinema from its beginnings to the present.
VII. Required Course Content and Direction
  1. Course Learning Goals

    Students will:

    1. examine the importance of non-theatrical films produced outside of the film industries;
    2. interpret the possible meaning of a film using appropriate vocabulary and analysis;
    3. analyze how films create meaning apart from traditional narrative structure;
    4. explain the connection of the independent film to historical events; and
    5. identify ways in which avant-garde films have crossed over to influence mainstream cinema.
  2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities

    Students view and analyze examples of documentary, animation, and experimental films. Film types studied may include: Dada, Cubist, Surrealist, Propaganda, American Avant-garde Cinema, Cinema Verite. They will learn basic terminology used in the study of films and apply this vocabulary to the discussion of films viewed. Students examine film as a reflection of its cultural origin and explore how it can be interpreted in the context of history, religion, politics, economics, social hierarchies, race relations, gender roles, etc.
  3. Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals

    Students submit a mandatory film review and analysis paper, which demonstrates proper use and citation of research materials, and additional writing assignments.
  4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:

    Students view films during class. Instructors select required readings and support materials. See course syllabus.

Review/Approval Date - 3/07; Revised 3/2010; New Core 8/2015

  • Academic Advising
  • Academic Departments
  • Academic Majors
  • Catalog
  • Course Descriptions
  • Master Course Outlines
  • Weekend College
circle logo
Newtown | 215-968-8000
275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
Bristol | 267-685-4800
1304 Veterans Highway Bristol, PA 19007
Perkasie | 215-258-7700
One Hillendale Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944
Bucks Online | 215-968-8052
Learn from anywhere



  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Tiktok
  • Watch Us on YouTube

© Bucks County Community College.
All rights reserved.

Find Campus Services

  • Accessibility - TAO
  • Admissions
  • Advising
  • Basic Needs
  • Bookstore (External Website)
  • Career + Job Resources
  • Catalog
  • Counseling
  • Dining
  • Early Learning Center
  • ESL Programs
  • Financial Aid
  • Fitness and Wellness
  • IT Help Desk
  • KEYS Program
  • Library
  • Media Lab
  • Perkins
  • Prior Learning Assessment
  • Registrar
  • Security + Safety
  • Success Advocates
  • Testing 
  • Transfer + Planning
  • Tutoring
  • Veteran Resources

Faculty + Staff Resources

  • MyBucks
  • Office 365
  • Canvas
  • Faculty Center
  • Faculty Online Resources
  • Professional Development

Get Involved

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Athletics
  • Bucks+
  • Calendar + News
  • Event Tickets
  • Lectures + Conferences
  • Student Life

Read Notices + Policies

  • Academic Policies
  • Student Policies
  • Human Resources Policies
  • Information Technology
  • Administration
  • Advancement
  • Consumer Information
  • Disclaimers
  • Holiday Statement
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Clean Air Zone
  • Web Accessibility

Foundation + Alumni

  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Board of Directors
  • Foundation
  • Scholarships
  • Special Events

Explore Campus

  • Bucks Online
  • Newtown Campus
  • Lower Bucks Campus
  • Upper Bucks Campus
  • Parking
  • Facilities Rental
  • Weddings in Tyler Gardens
  • Purchasing
  • Sustainability
  • Emergency Closing Information

Find Jobs

  • Student + Work-Study Employment
  • Faculty + Staff Employment

Discover Bucks

  • Accreditations
  • Board of Trustees
  • Community + Government Relations
  • Diversity, Equity + Inclusion
  • History
  • Mission + Vision
  • Office of the President
  • Provide Feedback

Contact Us

  • Ways to Contact Us
  • Faculty + Staff Directory
  • Social Media
  • Report an Issue
  • Emergency Text Alerts
  • System Status
  • Campus Health & Safety Plan