VSA4052

Film theory and film criticism: part 2

(ART)

Leonie Naughton

12 points + 3 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton

Synopsis: In this seminar subject students will be required to engage actively with aspects of contemporary film theory. Psychoanalytic theory and contemporary film theory will provide the foundation for examination of the role of spectatorship in the cinema and feminist film theory. Characteristics of the hysterical, the masochistic and the sadistic film text, will be analysed in order to understand further the nature of cinematic pleasure. Although this subject is primarily a reading subject, film will be screened for discussion and analysis. Examples will be drawn from divergent sources: popular, commercial film, European art cinema and alternative film.

Assessment: Essay (4000 words): 40% + Essay (5000 words): 50% + Seminar participation: 10%