VAM4210 - Contemporary Film Theory and Criticism

Leader: Con Verevis

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This is primarily a reading unit that will consider aspects of film theory since 1975. A major portion of the unit will be devoted to the debates around modernism and post-modernism as they relate to film studies. Other areas of investigation include: textual analysis, feminist film theory, historical poetics, historical reception studies, queer film theory, and the impact of the cultural studies and Cinema books of Gilles Deleuze. Film texts for exploration will include those from Australian, American, European and Asian cinemas.

Objectives

By the completion of the unit students will be expected to:

1. Identify and summarise a number of critical positions in contemporary film theory.
2. Critically assess the limitations of these positions so as to begin to establish new domains of inquiry.
3. Identify and defend their own critical positions within the field of film studies.
4. Relate these positions to the examination of films and film related material.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of research methodologies and the requirements of research papers.

Assessment

First essay (3000 words): 35%
Second essay (4500 words): 45%
Seminar participation and paper (1500 words): 20%

Contact hours

4 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar and 1 x 2 hour screening) per week

Prerequisites

Two units at 2nd year level in visual culture, comparative literature and cultural studies or history