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| Unit name |
Hollywood Cinema History |
| Unit code |
DRAM23126 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Pete Falconer |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit provides an introduction to Hollywood cinema history from the silent period to the present day. The unit considers how Hollywood came to dominate the world’s cinemas in terms of economic, generic and aesthetic developments. Students will study ‘classics’ of Hollywood cinema (such as Citizen Kane, Double Indemnity, Taxi Driver and The Usual Suspects), as well as lesser-known examples of genre cinema and the work of independent directors in key periods such as the 1970s and 1980s. Key genres will be covered, including film noir, the musical, screwball comedy, science fiction, horror and melodramas. As well as looking at a number of key films in depth, the unit will cover the many theoretical debates that have taken place about them, particularly in terms of issues such as gender representation.
Aims
- To introduce a wide range of films from Hollywood’s history
- To demonstrate generic differences across Hollywood’s cinematic production
- To study films from both economic and aesthetic perspectives
- To introduce key writings and theoretical debates that have taken place about Hollywood cinema
- To explore critically a range of film practices.
- To develop appropriate critical and theoretical approaches to the chosen practices.
- To investigate in a chosen practical and creative manner one or more alternative languages of cinematic expression.
- To develop appropriate self-reflective analytical methods.
- To engage in research-based investigation of appropriate primary and secondary material.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop understandings of ‘classical’ narrative models and the wide range of variants observable in the Hollywood system
- Students will be able to write about films at an intermediate level, demonstrating generic differences across Hollywood’s cinematic production
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the economic and aesthetic contexts of Hollywood film
- Students will demonstrate understanding of a broad range of theoretical discourse about Hollywood cinema, by applying knowledge of films and theory in essay work
- To demonstrate sound knowledge of key secondary literature
- To be aware of, and able to apply a range of established critical and theoretical ideas
- To present a clear and well-structured argument, supported by relevant critical and theoretical literature
- To present work that is consistently accurate in terms of its use of English and referencing
- To be able to communicate verbally key ideas based on secondary reading and relevant primary texts
- To demonstrate skills of time management
- To plan and execute a research project
Plus as appropriate to the mode of teaching, that is, the combination of seminar and practice-based workshop and/or presentations:
- To be able to write a reflective account of practical work
- To be able to work constructively and creatively in a group-based workshop
- To be able to work within the disciplines of production and project processes, working to deadlines and within production budgets
- To work independently and reach individual/personal judgements within a collaborative context
- To be able to reflect on individual work within a collaborative production context
Teaching Information
Seminars, workshops, screenings, as appropriate
Optional units may be taught according one of three models, depending on student numbers choosing the option and resource matters. Unit convenors will decide on teaching mode in consultation with HoE and with students in advance of advertising option year-on-year. Contact hours and assessment details will be mapped to teaching mode, as detailed below.
Model A is a seminar-based unit
Model B combines seminars with workshops encompassing an average 30-hour production period
Model C is taught through workshops encompassing an intensive 60-hour production period
Assessment Information
Teachers will assign assessments according to the teaching mode employed.
Model A:
3,000-word essay (50%) + student presentation (25%) + 1,500-word write-up (25%), or equivalent.
OR
Model B:
Essay [1,500 words] (33%) +
Workfile (22%): containing evidence to demonstrate student contribution to workshops / practical exercises; contribution to seminars Presentation/performance (22%) Critical analysis [1,500 words] (22%)
OR
Model C:
Workfile (33%): containing evidence to demonstrate student contribution to workshops / practical exercises; contribution to seminars, preparation & execution of technical production role Presentation/performance (33%) Critical analysis [1,500 words] (33%)
Reading and References
- David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film History: an Introduction (London: McGraw-Hill, 1994)
- Pam Cook (ed), The Cinema Book (London: British Film Institute, 3rd edition, 2007)
- Thomas Elsaesser (ed), Early Cinema: Space, Frame, Narrative (London: British Film Institute, 1990)
- Patrick Keating, Hollywood Lighting from the Silent Era to Film Noir (New York: Columbia University Press, 2010)
- Richard Maltby and Ian Craven, Hollywood Cinema (Oxford: Blackwell, 1995)
- Steve Neale and Murray Smith (eds), Contemporary Hollywood Cinema (London: Routledge, 1998)
