Analyzing Music Videos
FILM 398
Fall 2026
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01
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Music videos are fascinating things. Some may think of them as marketing tools. But they can also be very dense and experimental. While movies tend to foreground the visual, music videos typically start with a song.
In this class, we will think critically about the form and experience of music videos. The class breaks music videos into distinct parts, such as the star, background figures, choreography, editing, sound-image relations, and animation. Questions of identity and representation will also be essential to our understanding of the medium of music video.
We will encounter many music artists, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, fka twigs, Vince Staples, Kehlani, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Donald Glover, Björk, among many others. Directors under consideration include Michel Gondry, Hype Williams, Herb Ritts, Hiro Murai, Kahlil Joseph, Jenn Nkiru, Dave Meyers, Frances Lawrence, and more. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FILM |
| Course Format: Lecture | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: FILM307 OR FILM304 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Film Studies Minor)(Film Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Caroll Vernallis, Experiencing Music Video & Unruly Media
Steven Shaviro, Digital Music Videos & The Rhythm Image
Alessandra Raengo & Lauren Cramer, ¿The Unruly Archives of Black Music Videos¿
And additional readings, all provided by the instructor
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Examinations and Assignments:
An analysis paper
A videographic assignment
Two presentations (group & individual)
Attendance & Participation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Ball,Kevin Dwight Times: .M.W... 01:20PM-03:40PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 12 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 12 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 1 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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