Copper oxide films are prepared using a methanolic solution of cupric chloride (CuCl2 2H(2)O) by the sol-gel-like dip technique at different baking temperatures. XRD study confirms that the films are of Cu2O phase when prepared at a baking temperature of 360 degreesC and CuO phase when prepared at 400-500 degreesC baking temperature. The optical direct band gap energies for Cu2O and CuO films calculated from optical absorption measurements are 2.10 and 1.90eV, respectively, which are quite comparable with the reported values.