American Film in the 21st Century 4219-SD0043
This course provides a thorough survey of American cinema in the first two decades of the 21st century. The discussed issues include (but are not limited to):
* blockbuster cinema;
* the independent film-making in the U.S.
* major 21st-century genres: science fiction, action movie, minority cinema, new war film;
* the impact of technology on all phases of movie production;
* the franchises and adaptations;
* the major interpretative frameworks (psychoanalysis, feminist, Marxist)
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this course the student:
1. KNOWLEDGE
* has a knowledge of the history and American cinema in the 21st century
* is aware of the evolution of the genres, conventions, and trends in American cinema
* has comprehensive knowledge of the historical contexts of American cinema
2. SKILLS
* is able to use critical tools
* is able to formulate critical arguments the medium of film
* is able to use a range of theoretical apparatuses in analyses of individual texts,
3. SOCIAL COMPETENCES
* is aware of the cultural relevance of American cinema
* is open to new phenomena and ideas in American culture
* understands and appreciates the role of the United States in the development of global cinema
Assessment criteria
Students are expected to watch assigned movies (typically 1 title a week), read assigned texts (typically 1 article or chapter a week), attend classes, participate in class discussion, and prepare the final project.
1) final paper
2) class participation
3) weekly Slack assignments
The final course grade is calculated using the system known as specs grading, which is fairer for students than the traditional system based on percentage brackets and allows students to monitor their progress and chances of obtaining final grades.
Bibliography
Selected critical sources:
* Chris Holmlund - American Cinema of the 1990s
* Yannis Tzioumakis - American Independent Cinema
* David Sutton, Peter Wogan - Hollywood Blockbusters. The Anthropology of Popular Movies
* Sharon Packer - Movies and the Modern Psyche
* selected articles
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: