Classical Hollywood Cinema as an American Phenomenon (Klasyczne kino hollywoodzkie jako amerykański fenomen) 4219-SD108z
The course begins with the definition of the term "classical Hollywood cinema" and goes on to examine some theoretical approaches (zero style cinema, Andre Bazin's definition of the term, Bordwell's theory). Students will investigate some historical data. The course will also examine Hollywood stylistics and how they reflected social and cultural values. Even though, from the very beginning of its existence film has been treated in the United States as pure entertainment, it caused public discussions expressing protests and approval of films even on the federal level. Part of the course will be devoted to close analysis of films (like The Maltese Falcon, Gilda, etc.).
Topics covered:
The Hollywood style. An introduction.
1. The birth of Hollywood and the birth of s.c. HOLLYWOOD STYLE. AN INTRODUCTION. CLASSICAL NARRATION.
2. Basic elements of the HOLLYWOOD STYLE. The art of ACTING.
3. GENRE. Different movie formulas and the mirroring of social problems.
4. Citizen Kane as the special "summary" of the best Hollywood period (s.c. "The Golden Age of Motion Pictures")
Interpretations of the movies
5. IDENTIFICATION. Charlie Chaplin in bitter sweet Modern Times. Who is considered as an exemplification of typical and unusual American in the movies?
6. GREAT DIVAS OF HOLLYWOOD vs. Girls. Eroticism.
7. Tough guy vs. dandys. ROLE MODELS FOR MEN. James Cagney vs. Fred Astaire (The Roaring Twenties, Top Hat). Principles of narration.
8. AMERICAN DREAM, AMERICAN NIGHTMARE and Gilda. Reading and misreading of films. INTERPRETATION
Rodzaj przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
Student should get to know detailed history of classical Hollywood cinema.
Competences: student is expected to develop her/his cognitive abilities and social skills (especially co-operation with the group, team work). Individual abilities to systematic studies, analytical competencies will be formed and systematically developed. As the result student should demonstrate the capacity for applying his knowledge on Hollywood movies and other cultural phenomena in practice.
Kryteria oceniania
Course requirements
Students are expected to read assigned books and articles, attend classes, prepare one presentation, participate in class discussion, and write one short essay (3-5 pages).
Presentation and
class activity 50%
Essay 50%
Grading:
Above 90% 5
85-89% 4+
80-84% 4
70-79% 3+
60-69% 3
Literatura
Basic readings
Andrew, Dudley, Concepts in Film Theory, Oxford; New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1984: 75-78; 148-156; 133-148; 75-78; 172-190.
Bazin, Andre, What is Cinema? Essays. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, vol. 2, 140-157, 158-162, 163-168.
Bazin, Andre, What is Cinema? Essays. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, vol. 1, 17-22, 145-153; 23-40.
Bordwell David, On the history of film style, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Univ.Press, 1997.
Bordwell, David; Thompson, Kristin. Film Art. An Introduction, McGrow Hill, Inc., New York 1990: 375-379; 389-392; 137-141.
Bordwell, David, Narration in the fiction film, London: Routledge, 1990: 63-73; 156-166.
Bordwell, David; Janet Staiger, and Kristin Thompson, The classical Hollywood cinema: film style & mode of production to 1960. New York: Columbia Univ. Press, 1985: 189-192; 341-352.
Cavell, Stanley, Contesting tears: the Hollywood melodrama of the unknown woman, Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1996.
Greene, Graham, The Pleasure-Dome: the collected film criticism 1935-40, London: Secker and Warburg, 1972.
Hutchinson, Tom, Horror and fantasy in the cinema, London: Studio Vista, 1974.
Kozloff Sarah, Invisible storytellers: voice-over narration in American fiction film, Berkeley: Univ.of California Press, 1988.
Krutnik, Frank. In a lonely street: film noir, genre, masculinity. London -New York: Routledge, 1997.
Mulvey, Laura, Visual and other pleasures. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1989: 14-26.
Turner, Graeme, Film as social practice, London; New York: Routledge, 1993: 67-85; 85-93.
Vernet, Marc. Film Noir or the Edge of the Doom. In: Shades of noir: a reader, ed. by Joan Copjec. London ; New York: Verso, 1993.
Wilkinson, Rupert. American Tough: The Tough-Guy Tradition and American Character. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1984.
Więcej informacji
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