Film theory and film criticism: part 1
Constantine Verevis
10 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
Objectives By the completion of this subject students will be expected to explore and engage with issues in contemporary film theory; extend the skills acquired in earlier years with specific emphasis on the close examination of written texts; demonstrate an understanding of the meanings and resonances of discourse theory as it applies to film; engage with the debates surrounding the discourses of postmodernism and poststructuralism as they apply to film; demonstrate an ability to critically engage with written and filmic texts in a clear and confident manner in both written and oral presentation.
Synopsis This is primarily a reading subject that will consider aspects of contemporary film theory. A major portion of the subject will be devoted to Deleuze's philosophy of the image. Students will be required to engage with arguments around notions of postmodernism in the works of Baudrillard, Lyotard and Jameson. Other areas of debate, including narratology and discourse theory, will be considered. Film texts for exploration will include Australian, American, European and Asian cinemas.
Assessment Essay (3000 words): 40%
* Longer essay (4500 words): 50%
* Seminar participation: 10%
Preliminary reading
Parnet C and Deleuze G Dialogues Columbia U P, 1987
Stam R and others New vocabularies in film semiotics: Structuralism, post-structuralism and beyond Routledge, 1993
Prescribed texts
Baudrillard J The evil demon of images Power, 1988
Deleuze G Cinema I: The movement image U Minnesota P, 1986
Deleuze G Cinema II the time image U Minnesota P, 1989
Foster H (ed.) Post-modern culture London P, 1987
Foucault M The archaeology of knowledge (and the discourse of language) Pantheon, 1982
Macdonell D Theories of discourse: An introduction Blackwell, 1986
Shaviro S The cinematic body U Minnesota P, 1993
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