Hollywood's Ancient World: Cinematic Constructs of the Past (U02173)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-HOLLY

This course traces the development of the epic film genre in Hollywood from 1917 to 2004 and will question how the American film industry approaches, uses and markets the ancient world. The course will question the political, social and cultural use of the past in Hollywood cinema, as well as examining issues such as masculinity, spectacle, sex and sexuality, advertising and marketing, film production, and film design. The recent re-emergence of the Hollywood epic is reintroducing students to a popular film genre; this course offers them a vehicle in which to understand the importance cinematic uses and recreations of the past in modern culture.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A Pass in a 1st or 2nd Level course in Ancient History or Classical Art/Archaeology.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : In order for a student from outwith Classics to be enrolled on this course, contact must be made with a Course Secretary on 50 3580 in order for approval to be obtained.

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Hollywood's Ancient World: Cinematic Constructs of the Past (VS1) (Not being delivered)
Hollywood's Ancient World: Cinematic Constructs of the Past (VS1) (Not being delivered)
Hollywood's Ancient World: Cinematic Constructs of the Past (VS1) (Not being delivered)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Ancient History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Other subject areas

Classical Art/Classical Archaeology, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Classical Literature in Translation, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

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

? Additional Class Information : Weekly (afternoon) film-showings (with alternative viewing arrangements possible if necessary).

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course the student will have:-
- knowledge of some important aspects of ideologies encountered in Hollywood's dialogue with the past;
- awareness of filmmaking techniques and audience reception of the past;
- in-depth studies of several key 'epic' films;
- understanding of the political, social and cultural use of the past in Hollywood cinema;
- ability to use critically a variety of different categories of written and visual evidence, including scripts, designs and marketing imagery;
- bibliographical research skills to enable students to find independently additional information on aspects of film and reception studies.

Transferable skills:-
- written skills and oral communication skills
- analytical skills
- ability to deal independently with a complex body of information
- ability to recognise and focus on important aspects of a wide-ranging subject and to select specific examples
- ability to produce a concise summary.