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: Billy Wilder, Sunset Boulevard (1950); WEEK TWO: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, Singin’ In the Rain (1952) / Damien Chazelle, La La Land (2016); WEEK THREE: John Ford, The Searchers (1956); WEEK FOUR: Douglas Sirk, Imitation of Life (1959) / Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven (2002); WEEK FIVE: Billy Wilder, Love in the Afternoon (1957) / Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation (2003) ; WEEK SIX: Alfred Hitchcock, North by Northwest (1959); WEEK SEVEN: Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather (1972); WEEK EIGHT: Roman Polanski, Chinatown (1974); WEEK NINE: Stanley Kubrick, The Shining (1980); WEEK ELEVEN: The Coen Brothers, Fargo (1996) / No Country for Old Men (2007); WEEK ELEVEN: David Lynch, Mulholland Drive (2001); WEEK TWELVE: Christopher Nolan, Interstellar (2014)
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.
Exam review
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.
Attendance
Attendance is compulsory. Missing more than three tutorials means that students will be excluded from taking the exam (or essay or other assignments) and resits. Consequently, the course cannot be completed during that particular academic year. Unauthorized absence also applies to being unprepared and/or not bringing the relevant course materials to class.
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 in English and Dutch
Students other than BA English language and culture studies need permission from the coordinator of studies before enrolling.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Please contact Student administration van Eyckhof for questions.
Remarks
You must watch Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard (1950) for the first class.