While there aren't any prereqs, the TAs grade as if you have background in film and expect a lot more from your film analyses without ever having learned how to do them.

this class is a GE i would recommend. the workload is not that bad but is definitely dense (they usually average 40 min - 1 hour per video). the movie choices were also pretty interesting (recommend watching la haine even if you don't take the class). the class itself focuses on the conversation of race within the french context and history... so you get a different perspective on the issue of racism and classism and how that affects France today. there are three big quizzes for the class and as long as you took notes on the lectures, for the most part, you should be fine... there were definitely some questions that were a lil too nit-picky on some of the details so be aware that every so often you'll get a question like that. but again, the questions are heavily based on the lecture solely. also, because this does entail some film analysis there were some moments where even the professor or TA couldn't really give you a definite interpretation or answer on a particular concept of the films. so there were some moments where you were going into something a lil blind (even then these were very specific and isolated situations that occurred and weren't that big a deal). discussions are where you do the most engagement with the class, make sure you participate even if it's for a little bit. that's where you get most of your participation points and also you get an idea of who you would want in your group for your final project.

tips:
- make sure you stay on top of the due dates.... the professors and TAs aren't mean about due dates but they also aren't very lenient about them either... also for the final project there are multiple deadlines for it and those submissions are how you get points which eventually add up if you keep missing them
- the class is heavily dependent on your readings, lectures and movies so you can't really slack off on them. the three quizzes and final are really the only assignments you have throughout the quarter so you don't have as many opportunities to get points/improve your grade if you mess up. hence, make sure you pay attention and do your work.
- pay attention to the film vocab words... because the class is more focused on using movies in context of race in france, the film analysis stuff can get lost in everything when it comes to taking in content. but because the 'methods of evaluation' are dependent on your formal film analysis skills, you need to brush up on your vocab and understanding of formal film topics/concepts. this will especially help with your individual film analysis presentation and your final group project
- watch the video lectures at 1.5x speed... the videos average about 40 min- 1 hour and you have about 3-4 to watch per week on top of the movie and readings.... the material itself isn't hard to comprehend so i wouldn't say it's more difficult than some other classes but it's still a lot of information and i don't recommend trying to procrastinate it all in one night

This is probably a more controversial review, but Prof Brozgal did not teach any live lectures for this quarter (so all of them were pre-recorded) but she did have in person office hours and came to class once. Her class is a little bit harder to follow, her lectures were really dense (though I played them at 1.5x speed, it did take me longer than its original duration to do my notes as I went along) and she does not offer extra credit. I came into this class with no background in french/linguistics/humanities/history so this was probably why I found it very difficult to follow. Every week you are assigned 1-3 readings, 1 movie, 2-4 lectures so it is quite heavy in terms of workload but the lectures are async so you can take them anytime during the week. Discussions are in person. THIS IS NOT AN EASY A OR EASY GE. It is doable, and messing up 1 quiz will not drag you down but you do need to invest lots of effort and time into this class in order to get that A.

I took this class as an elective and it was actually really interesting. Prof Brozgal's lectures are pretty interesting and the movies she assigned were generally really good ones. The class was asynchronous and all we had to do each week was watch the lectures read some material and watch the movie. She gives you a suggested "plan of attack" on what order to accomplish these tasks in.
Discussion sections are where you start to have some work. I had Rebecca Glasberg as a TA and she deserves a shoutout! She's so sweet and engaging, super accommodating, and everyone had a lot to say in discussions.
You'll have 3 quizzes throughout the semester, not too many questions and you have plenty of time to look through your notes and lectures.
For discussion section, you'll need to participate a little. It's hard not to because there's so much to say, and it's easy points. You'll have one screen grab analysis where you pick a screenshot from one of the movies and analyze it. And there'll be a group project at the end of the semester where you pick a movie and present it according to the class material.
Prof Brozgal also offers an extra credit option. And she holds optional weekly interactive sessions to check in with everyone and discuss materials further. You can post questions to a google doc if you can't make it and she'll answer them during the session which she records and posts to CCLE.
It's not exactly an "Easy A" class but its definitely a possible A class if you put in some work.

I took this class asynchronously and highly recommend it as a GE. The movies can definitely be... boring, to say the least, but they're not the worst and some of them were quite enjoyable. Definitely watch the lecture on 1.5/2 X speed, Professor Brozgal talks a little bit slow and it makes the note-taking process sooo much faster.

There was never an exam in this class, just 3 quizzes every ~3 weeks covering the cinematic elements and film we had watched during the week prior. They're only about 20/30 questions and I was always able to finish them pretty quickly.

The way she sets up the "plan of attack" for each week was incredibly helpful and I found it to be quite useful to the course materials we were covering that week. I hardly ever did the readings unless they were short and I don't think I missed out on that much in doing so, as she would go over the important things from each one during the lectures she recorded.

Very interesting and eye-opening class, definitely recommend especially if you're trying to complete your diversity requirement. :)

One of the most fantastic classes this school has to offer. This class is the perfect GE. Fair workload, engaging topics, and an understanding Professor. If you pay attention to the lectures, you will have no problem getting a good grade in this class.
One tip: Whenever she mentions any formal film analysis, make sure to study those hard. The quizzes can be tricky, but everything on the quiz was mentioned in the course material.
The films are spectacular and the subject material complicates your perspective on the discussion of race. Absolutely recommend to anyone and everyone to take this class before they graduate.

If you are interested in the race culture of France within cinema, then this is the class for you. A lot of the topics are mundane, which is why an interest in France and its culture is recommended. Workload includes watching 1-2 movies per week on your own and 2 papers. Overall a fairly easy GE for performance analysis. There were some interesting movies, and some hard to keep going with. Grade is dependent on your TA and their grade of your papers. The midterm and final are online on your own. There were tricky questions, but if you study and pay attention, you should be just fine.

I loved Professor Brozgal’s lectures. She explained each film during each lecture and also connected it with the theme of the class. All her grading was straight forward and she was very honest with it. As long as you do all of the required readings and watch all the films, then the class should be relatively easy. you do have to write 2 essays, but as long as you can answer the question then you should be good to go. The only reason I got a B was because i did not watch all the films and skipped some lectures so i deserve it. Just make sure to do what she asks and you’re good to go !

Overall, this was a good class. The workload was somewhat heavy -- 1 to 2 movies per week, a couple essays throughout the quarter, one discussion leading project, and not easy tests, but the material was pretty interesting. Plus, it's a BruinCasted GE, which is a lifesaver.

NOTE: Prof. Brozgal calls her FRNCH 41 course "France and Its Others: Race, Ethnicity, and Difference in French Cinema". In other words, the course focuses exclusively on films that reflect racial and socioeconomic divides in France, from the colonial era to present day.

Professor: Prof. Brozgal is very nice, approachable and often humorous. She Bruincasts lectures and uploads slides so that students can rewatch/revisit the topics that we go over. She carefully chose a variety of films from different time periods (one of them was not shown to the public) so we can see the transition in portrayal about the element of race in French society. Prof. Brozgal has much knowledge about the films and offers insight on how to interpret scenes, themes and relevance tied to reality (Prof. Brozgal acknowledges that it is often subjective but it is quite interesting to hear some different and much deeper perspectives that I have never thought of)

Content: film techniques/analysis, movie plot and interpretations, historical events in France relevant to the film

Workload: Watch 2 films and read corresponding reading per week. Two critical essays per quarter (1000 words each, discusses the themes). Will have to prepare a discussion question/ choose a film segment and lead a discussion session

Grading: 10% Participation & Preparation + 10% Discussion Leading + 20% Critical Essays (2) + 30% Midterm + 30% Final

Details:
1. Exam format is 50 multiple choice questions taken on laptop with LockDown Browser. The test opens on Friday afternoon and closes on Monday afternoon so you can choose any 2 hours over the weekend to complete the assessment. Study definitions, film terms and important details. They are the easiest ones to forget/make mistakes on.
2. Attendance is crucial as every unexcused absence will drop your grade in participation by a grade (ex. A to A-)