PSK 452 - Cinema And Psychology

Cinema is one of the most powerful and widespread forms of expressing human psychology. Films convey characters’ inner worlds, motivations, conflicts, fears, and desires through visual and auditory language, enabling the audience to empathize and explore the human experience from different perspectives. The field of psychology offers a rich framework for analyzing cinematic works, understanding the psychological dynamics in film production processes, and examining the effects of cinema on viewers.

The inclusion of the course "PSK 452 – Cinema and Psychology" in the undergraduate psychology curriculum aims to equip students with the skills to understand and interpret human psychology through a popular art form. By examining psychological themes and character analyses in films, this course will help students develop critical thinking, visual literacy, and cultural sensitivity skills.

This course aims to understand human psychology at the intersection of cinema and psychology. Students explore characters’ inner worlds, motivations, conflicts, and emotional processes through films, learning psychological concepts and theories through concrete examples. The course covers psychoanalytic theory (Freud and Jung), identity and self crises, representations of trauma and mental disorders in cinema, family and relationship dynamics, the psychology of directors and screenwriters, and the psychological effects on audiences. From a social psychology perspective, stereotypes, prejudices, and societal pressures are also analyzed. Additionally, cinematherapy and the psychological impacts of emerging technologies are discussed. By the end of the term, students consolidate their learning by presenting a psychological analysis of a film of their choice.

The course aims to develop students’ critical thinking, analytical interpretation, empathy, visual literacy, and cultural sensitivity, preparing them to become holistic, empathetic, and analytically minded psychologists.

Ryan, M., ve Kellner, D. (1990). Politik Kamera: Çağdaş Hollywood Sinemasının İdeolojisi ve Politikası (E. Özsayar, Çev.). İstanbul: Ayrıntı Yayınları. 
Shiner, Larry. Sanatın İcadı: Bir Kültür Tarihi. Çeviren: İsmail Türkmen. İstanbul: Ayrıntı Yayınları, 2004.

During the first week of the course, students will be informed about the course objectives, content, exams, learning outcomes, weekly topics, and course rules/framework. In addition, the method for accessing the course syllabus will be explained in detail.

1. Classes will be held for 3 class hours each week for 14 weeks.

2. Each class hour is 45 minutes, and there will be two 15-minute breaks.

3. The course assessment will consist of one midterm and one final exam for each semester.

4. Course slides, supplementary resources, and materials will be shared through the Campus Information System. The slides and materials for the relevant week's lecture will be uploaded to the Campus Information System as a PDF file on the first Friday following the lecture day.

5. The midterm exam will have a weight of 40% and the final exam will have a weight of 60% on the final grade.

6. The midterm and final exams will be in a multiple-choice test format.

7. A review of each exam will take place during the first class session following the exam, during which students can inspect their exam papers.

8. A minimum of 70% attendance is mandatory.

9. To not fall below the 70% attendance rate, a student must attend classes for at least 10 out of the 14 weeks.

10. Oversleeping, having a medical report, being sick, traveling, visiting one's hometown, or being in a Double Major/Minor program are not considered valid excuses for failing to meet attendance requirements.

11. Possessing a doctor's report does not mean that students can be flexible with the 70% attendance requirement.

12. The total absence rate, including absences covered by medical reports, must not exceed 30%.

13. Attendance will be tracked via a sign-in sheet during classes.

14. The signatures on the attendance sheet will be checked at the end of the third class hour. Students must only sign for the class hours they are actually present for.

15. Students' absence rates will be recorded in the Campus Information System weekly. Students are required to track their attendance rates weekly. If they believe there is an error (e.g., if their attendance was not recorded in the system despite their signature being present on the relevant week's attendance list), they must make an appointment to inform the course instructor and request a review.

16. Signing the attendance sheet on behalf of another student is strictly forbidden under any circumstances.

17. Students who wish to ask questions about the course or request a meeting for ideas, suggestions, criticism, consultation, etc., must communicate via email to make an appointment.

18. Students writing an email are expected to follow basic etiquette by introducing themselves and stating the reason for their message.

19. Before writing an email, students must carefully read the course syllabus and course framework.

20. Students should send their emails between 08:30 and 17:30.

21. I will respond to emails within three business days at the latest. If a student does not receive a response within this period, the email may be sent again.

22. My email address is: faik.tasci@izu.edu.tr

23. Students are subject to the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Undergraduate Education and Examination Regulations regarding matters such as passing/failing the course, attendance, etc.