ITA3260 - Italy on Film

Leader: Susanna Scarparo and John Gregory

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to post-war Italian cinema and its cultural contexts and gives an opportunity to view and discuss films by Scola, Rossellini, Visconti, Benigni, and others. The unit familiarises students with a variety of critical approaches and allows them to analyse the films as representatives of specific cinematographic genres and styles, and as reflections on and interpretations of post-war Italian culture. The unit covers issues such as wartime resistance; fascism; migration within, from and to Italy amongst others.

Objectives

On successful completion of this subject students will be able to:

1. Understand, discuss and analyse different cinematographic genres and styles of post-war Italian Cinema
2. Develop and express a relative understanding of the cultural context of post-war Italy
3. Understand, discuss and analyse the ways in which select post-war Italian films reflect on and interpret the social and political issues of their time
4. Develop an ability to engage with written and visual texts and to understand a body of critical writing in the field

Additional objective for students in Italian:

5. To develop a knowledge of specialist language in relation to film studies

Additional objectives for third year students will be

6. To develop a deeper understanding of theoretical debates in the field of post-war Italian cinema and Italian culture.
7. The ability to apply that understanding to one or more other films of their choice not studied in class

Assessment

Visual Test (1500 words): 30%; Essay (3000 words): 60%; Class participation: 10%

Contact hours

Film Screening (3 hours)

Prerequisites

None

Prohibitions

ITA2260, VSA2260, VSA3260