Monash University

Leader(s): Susanna Scarparo and John Gregory

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

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

Written: 60% (3000 words)
Visual test: 30%
Class participation: 10%

Contact hours

Film Screening (3 hours)
1 lecture (1 hour)
1 tutorial (1 hour); extra tutorial in Italian (1 hour) for students wishing to include this unit in their Italian Studies major

Prerequisites

None

Prohibitions

ITA2260, VSA2260, VSA3260