Film theory and criticism: part II
Leonie Naughton
8 or 12 points * 3 hours per week * Second semester * Clayton
In this seminar subject, students will be required to engage actively with aspects of contemporary film theory. Psychoanalytic theory and feminist theory will provide the foundation for examination of the role of spectatorship in the cinema. Characterisation of the hysterical, the masochistic and the sadistic film text will be analysed to further understand the nature of cinematic pleasure. The `woman's film' will be examined with reference to recent feminist writings of Silverman, Doane and Gledhill. Although the subject - like VAD4200 (Film theory and criticism: part I) - is primarily a reading course, film will be screened for discussion and analysis. Examples will be drawn from divergent sources: popular, commercial film, European art cinema and alternative and avant-garde practices.
Assessment: 8 points
First essay (2500 words): 40% * Longer essay (3500 words): 60%
Assessment: 12 points
First essay (2500 words): 25% * Second essay (3000 words): 35% * Long essay (3500 words): 40%
Preliminary Reading
Kuhn A Women's pictures: Feminism and cinema RKP., 1982
Mitchell J E Psychoanalysis and feminism Penguin, 1982
Prescribed Texts
Burgin V and others (eds) Formations of fantasy Methuen, 1986
Collins J Radner H Film theory goes to the movies AFI, 1993
Silverman K The acoustic mirror: The female voice in psychoanalysis and cinema 1988