Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EU30643 European film |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Honours |
| Academic Year |
| Assessment: ES60CW40 |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: To develop an understanding of the nature and role of cinema in contemporary Europe, with particular reference to the formation and articulation of identity, in relation to wider cultural and social issues including marginalisation, exile, gender, and exclusion. To develop an understanding of key theoretical concepts in which to situate filmic discourse.
Learning Outcomes: On completion of this unit, students will be able to: * demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of European films and be able to evaluate their significance in relation to contemporary European culture and identity * analyse filmic texts critically, and discuss findings using an appropriate range of critical and theoretical concepts * compare the works of a variety of contemporary directors, and account for the similarities/differences which are revealed * discuss and understand broad theoretical concepts in relation to contemporary film * demonstrate familiarity with contemporary European film production, distribution, and exhibition * prepare, edit, and use audiovisual material, including film clips for seminar and other presentations Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Content: Topics for study include: film and identity (European; national; subjective); film and memory; the nature of filmic autobiography; film and history; film and society; class, ethnicity, and sexuality within contemporary European films; film and the environment; history, myth, and memory in European film; film theory; critical concepts, including genre. Films to be studied will be chosen from the works of a wide range of European directors, including, by way of example: Atkin, Bergman, Boorman, Boyle, Chukrai, Davies, Frears, Kassovitz, Kurys, Loach, Malle, Mikhalkov, Moretti, Ramsay, Sanders-Brahms, Tarkovskii, Tornatore, Truffaut, Varda, Veysset, Wenders. |