The decline of print media and the proliferation of social media platforms in recent years has prompted frequent reflection on the fate of the critic. With thousands of online reviews at our disposal, do we still need a professional evaluation of the latest Marvel superhero film? In this course we will explore the role of the film critic and the value of expertise in contemporary culture by investigating the historical and contemporary uses of film criticism and reviews, and through practicing the art of film criticism via a range of different media. You will develop skills in the critical interpretation of film texts and secondary sources; in descriptive writing and expression; and in argumentation and reasoning.