The aim of this course is to examine cinema not only as an art form and communication medium but also as a theoretical and intellectual field. The course seeks to enable students to understand the historical development of film theories, comprehend different theoretical approaches, and apply these approaches in film analysis.

The scope of this course includes the concept of theory and its relationship with cinema; the conditions that led to the emergence of film theories; an examination of early film theories; debates on formalism and realism; Soviet montage theory; auteur theory; structuralism and semiotics; text and intertextuality; psychoanalytic film theory; feminist film theory; theoretical approaches such as those developed by the Frankfurt School; as well as contemporary cinema studies including the sociology of cinema, audience research, and cultural studies.