Admission requirements
Successful completion of Literature 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 or 4, or equivalent.
Description
We will explore the breadth of mid-twentieth-century film, following transformations within the cinematic experience, as well as examining the relationship between the cinema and other modes of performance, whether in the theatre, radio or television. We shall investigate the opportunities provided by these other performance media and assess their impact on the cinematic experience. We shall consider these works of art in their cultural context, and scrutinize the ways in which popular film expressed, critiqued or questioned developments within American society.
Course objectives
This course will extend and deepen the power of students’ critical analysis through in-depth consideration of texts.
Students will explore critical debates surrounding American film.
The course will aim to provide for literature students the critical skills necessary for the analysis of visual texts.
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This will involve an understanding of: basic film theory; the uses of the frame and editing; the place of the ‘star’; the nature of genre; and the ‘auteur theory’.
Regarding both literary and cinematic art works, it will also aim to extend the students’ skills in the reading of narrative and the understanding of the relationship of a text to its cultural/social context. Students will be encouraged to share analytical and critical views on the texts ascribed in class discussion, including short presentations, and will focus research skills in the writing of a final research paper. This paper will be on a relevant subject of their own choice within the parameters of the course.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA English website
Provisionally: WEEK ONE: Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times ;WEEK TWO: George Cukor, Gaslight; WEEK THREE: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, Singin' in the Rain; WEEK FOUR: Howard Hawks, Rio Bravo; WEEK FIVE: Alfred Hitchcock, North By Northwest; WEEK SIX: Billy Wilder, Some Like It Hot; WEEK SEVEN: study week WEEK EIGHT: Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather; WEEK NINE: Stanley Kubrick, The Shining; WEEK TEN: Ridley Scott, Blade Runner; WEEK ELEVEN: David Fincher, The Social Network // Craig Gillespie, I, Tonya WEEK TWELVE: George Lucas, Star Wars // Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi WEEK THIRTEEN: Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name // Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Research
Course Load
The course load of this course is 280 hours.
24 hours spent on attending lectures and seminars: 24
time for studying the compulsory literature: 126
time to prepare for the exam and/or write a paper (including reading / research): 130
Assessment method
Assessment
Essay(s) (50%):
Two essays of 1200 words (25% each); or, one longer essay on a comparative subject (dealing with at least two texts featured on the syllabus) of 2500 words (50%).
Both essays are due on the Wednesday following the last class.Final Exam (50%)
This exam will feature questions about the films on the syllabus. The questions are designed to allow students to formulate informative answers based on critical insight into American film and knowledge of the various important contexts gained during the tutorial discussion and individual study.
Weighing
Essay(s) (50%):
Two essays of 1200 words (25% each); or, one longer essay on a comparative subject (dealing with at least two texts featured on the syllabus) of 2500 words (50%).Final Exam (50%)
The final grade is determined by calculating the average grade for the above-mentioned assignment(s) and exam, which is rounded to the nearest half. A final grade below 5,5 (also 5,49) is insufficient.
Resit
Students must retake those parts of the course they fail or that are incomplete.
Only when the final grade is insufficient can students resit exam(s) and/or assignments that received below 5,5. The resit grade will replace the original grade.
Attendance
Attendance is compulsory. Missing more than two tutorials means that students will be excluded from the tutorials. Unauthorized absence also applies to being unprepared, not participating and/or not bringing the relevant course materials to class.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard](https://blackboard.leidenuniv.nl/) will be used for:
information
communication
submission of essays to turnitin to check for plagiarism
Reading list
There is no set reading for the course; however, students are expected to undertake significant research into film for their essay and exams.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
NB: First year students will be enrolled by the coordinator of studies.
Students other than from the BA English language and culture cannot take this course.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Please contact Student administration van Eyckhof for questions.
The coordinator of studies is Else van Dijk
Remarks
You must watch Modern Times for the first class.