Postgraduate - UnitAPG4279 - Historical film theory and criticism

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

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Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Film and Television Studies
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Therese Davis

Notes

Previously coded FTM4042

Synopsis

This unit examines some concepts in the history of film theory by considering a number of theoretical and critical writings in relation to a range of films. Topics for examination include early silent film theory, the notion of the historical avant-garde in the form of French impressionism, the film theories of Kracauer and Bazin, French new wave criticism, the neglected tradition of realist phenomenology in film theory, 1968 and the leftist turn and the question of film language and structuralism.

Outcomes

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

identify and summarise a number of critical positions in historical film theory
critically assess the limitations of these positions so as to begin to establish new domains of inquiry
identify and defend their own critical positions with the field of film studies
relate these positions to the examination of films and film related material
demonstrate an understanding of research methodologies and the requirements of research papers.

Assessment

Written work: 80% (7500 words)
Participation and paper (1500 words): 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Therese Davis

Contact hours

4 hours (one 2-hour seminar and one 2-hour screening) per week

Prerequisites

A major in Film and Television Studies or other approved discipline

Prohibitions

ATS4279 / APG5279