Film Studies 1 (SY0018)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-SYFS1

This is an introductory course in Film Studies for honours students in the School of Social and Political Studies. It deals with the history of cinema as a cultural form in the twentieth century, then focuses on specific aspects of film. The main topics covered are film history and technology, German Weimar Cinema, the British and American Cinema of the post-war period (1945-55), the French New Wave and Contemporary British Cinema. There will be a critical assessment of the work and career of Alfred Hitchcock as a pivotal figure in Western Cinema, and his work will be compared to other major directors, notably Fritz Lang, Orson Welles, Roman Polanski and David Lynch. More generally aesthetic issues such the relationship between realism and modernism are assessed in conjunction with changes in film production and the changing relationship of cinema and society.

Weekly viewings are held in the Language and Humanities Lecture Theatre on Fridays between 10-12pm and students are able to benefit from the Centre's self-access facilities for videotapes and DVDs. The viewings are compulsory though students may opt to view them through self-access. (Times 9.30-5pm.) There will be a 30 minutes discussion slot for these viewings at 2.30 on Mondays after the 90-minute lecture.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Visiting Students: This course is usually NOT available to visiting students (with the exception of those Erasmus students via the MAINZ Johannes Gutenberg University Erasmus agreement).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Suggestions for Introductory Readings:

James Monaco How to Read a Film (Sections on Film History and Technology)
Kristin Thomson & David Bordwell Film History (2nd ed.) Chapters: 5, 15, 16, 20, 28.
John Orr & Olga Taxidou (ed) Post-War Cinema and Modernity