Admission Requirements
Successful completion of Literature 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 or 4, or equivalent.
Description
We will explore the breadth of twentieth-century American 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.
This will involve an understanding of basic film theory, such as: the uses of the frame and editing; the place of the ‘star’; the relation to the audience; differences from theatre and literary fiction; the nature of genre; and the ‘auteur theory’.
Regarding 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.
The essay(s) will be on a relevant subject of their own choice within the parameters of the course, and will further extend the students’ critical skills and their ability to produce good, clear writing. They will draw upon good and extensive research conducted by the student.
The final exam will test students’ knowledge of the cinematic texts studied in the course, and give them an opportunity to display their insight, their familiarity with the texts, and the range of their critical ideas.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Research (Independent study by the student)
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%).
The essay(s) is/are due in at the start of the exam period. Students who wish to do so may hand in the first short essay as a mid-term on the Monday following the study week.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 film and knowledge of the various important contexts gained during the tutorial discussion and individual study.
Students are graded according to the following criteria: the depth and sophistication (and to some extent, the originality) of their analysis; the extent to which their essays argue a coherent case; the clarity and coherence of the structure; the sophistication, correctness and articulacy of the writing and the ability to produce formal academic prose; the intelligent use of a good range of relevant secondary material.
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.
Weighing
Essay(s): 50%: two essays of 1200 words (25% each); or, one longer essay of 2500 words (50%).
Final Exam: 50%
Resit
Only if the final grade is 5.0 or lower can the students do a resit.
To pass the course, a student must have received at least a 6 for their essay(s).
Regular attendance, preparation for the class and participation in it are required elements of this course.
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.
Reading list
There is no set weekly reading for this course; students are expected to watch the films set.
In some cases, where films are hard to obtain, there may be screenings on an evening before the class, but otherwise students should be prepared to search out legal ways to stream the films, watch online, or, where that is not possible, to buy DVDs or Blu-ray copies of the films in question. (In some cases, the library owns DVD copies of the movies and you can also watch them on-site there.)
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap (Login | Universiteit Leiden) is mandatory.
General information about MyStudyMap is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Student administration Arsenaal
Remarks
The list of films we will study is not set in stone, but it is very likely to contain most (but not quite all) of the following films (and a couple not on this list might be added in): Charles Chaplin, City Lights; The Wizard of Oz; Pinocchio; John Ford, The Grapes of Wrath; Chloe Zhao, Nomadland; Singin’ in the Rain; North By Northwest; Billy Wilder, Some Like It Hot; The Graduate; Sofie Coppola, Lost in Translation; Days of Heaven; Stanley Kubrick, The Shining; two Star Wars movies; Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing; Penny Marshall, Big; Groundhog Day; It’s a Wonderful Life.
Can you please make sure you have watched Charlie Chaplin, City Lights (1931) before the first class. Even if you have seen a film before you MUST watch it again in the week before the class to make sure that it is fresh in your mind so you able to discuss it in depth.