Course overview
The study of cinema as a field of scholarly inquiry affects the way films are studied, and the language of film criticism more generally. This advanced level course surveys foundational approaches in Screen Studies that have helped define the meaning of cinema, from the rise of film theory in the 1960s-1970s through to the present day. Topics covered include: psychoanalytic and feminist-psychoanalytic studies of the cinema, feminist film theory, ideological film theory, critical race studies and indigenous studies, the “affective turn”, sound theory, ecological theory, cinematic ethics and current trends. Screening a diverse range of films in concert with important thinkers in the field, this upper-level course provides the essential ingredients to develop an informed, intelligent and creative approach to Screen Studies.
- Cinema and the Social
- Embodiment and Affect Theory
- Current Trends: Cinema and the Non-Human
Course learning outcomes
- Critically analyse a range of historic and contemporary film examples in dialogue with foundational trends in film theory and contemporary screen criticism
- Engage with, critically analyse, evaluate and apply a range of secondary sources as well as different film theoretical perspectives, from the 1970s through to the present day
- Conduct advanced, independent research projects on issues in contemporary film and media
- Deliver theoretically informed analyses of films in written, audio-visual and creative forms
- Communicate effectively with classmates about key critical theories and methodologies in Screen
- Use technologies as appropriate to complete assessments