Course number : EN4290 (Seminar)
Prerequisites : By consent of the instructor
Semester : 2/2004
Lecturer : A.Alastair J. J. Atkinson.
Course Description:
This course will provide a forum for the students to both view and discuss works of British and American cinema; a chance to view cinema from several genres and film directors. The course will outline theories central to an academic understanding of cinema; providing an opportunity to explore analytical cinematic concepts, such as semiotic and functional / integrational theories. The course will allow students an opportunity to apply these theoretical concepts of recognition and analysis of cinema.
Materials and Readings:
* Selected Films
* Selected Handouts
* Web Site ( http://www.aatkinson.com/ or )
Course Objectives:
* To stimulate competence of the English Language.
* To develop analytical writing skills
* To stimulate an understanding of British and American culture as viewed by British and American cinema.
* To develop an appreciation of basic concepts of Film Studies.
* To develop a knowledge of culturally important British and American cinema.
Requirements:
* 80% Attendance (3 Absences)
* Active class participation
* 2 x Essay Assignments (1000words each)
Marks Allocation
Assignments / Participation 10 x 40 = 400 marks (40 per cent)
Essays (1000 Words) 2 x 300 = 600marks (60 per cent)
Total = 1,000 marks (100 percent)
Date: February 9th 2005: Last day to withdraw with ‘W’ (Students withdrawing after this date will be given ‘WF’.).
EN 4290 - A Survey of British and American Cinema
Course Schedule
Week 1 November 4th 2004
Introduction to the course.
Functional & Integrational Analysis – The Western
Film: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Dir: George Roy Hill 112 min
Week 2 November 11th 2004
Functional & Integrational Analysis – The Western
Film: Unforgiven (1992) Dir: Clint Eastwood 127 min
Week 3 November 18th 2004
Semiotic Analysis – The Western
Reinforce Theories & Class Discussion – The Western
Film: Once Upon a Time in the West. (1968) Dir: Sergio Leone 139 min
Week 4 November 25th 2004
Reinforce Theories & Class Discussion – The Science Fiction Movie
Film: Blade Runner: Director’s Cut (1982) Dir: Ridley Scott 118 min
Week 5 December 2nd 2004
Reinforce Theories & Class Discussion – The Science Fiction Movie
Film: Fahrenheit 451 (1966) Dir: Francois Truffaut: 111 min
Week 6 December 9th 2004 (TBC)
Reinforce Theories & Class Discussion – The Science Fiction Movie
Film: Alien (1979) Dir: Ridley Scott 117 min
Week 7 December 16th 2004
Genre Theory – Film Noir
Film: The Third Man (1949) Dir: Carol Reed 104 min
Week 8 December 23rd 2004
Reinforce Theories & Class Discussion – Film Noir
Film: Touch Of Evil (1958) Dir: Orson Wells 111 min
Week 9 December 30th 2004
Reinforce Theories & Class Discussion – Film Noir (Modern)
Film: Chinatown (1974) Dir: Roman Polanski 131 min
FINAL DEADLINE FOR ESSAY 1
MID-TERM EXAMINATION PERIOD
January 4th 2005 – January 13th 2005
Week 10 January 20th 2005
Auteurs – Billy Wilder
Film: Some Like It Hot (1959) Dir: Billy Wilder: 119min
Week 11 January 27th 2005
Auteurs – Billy Wilder
Film: The Apartment (1960) Dir: Billy Wilder: 125min
Week 12 February 3rd 2005
Auteurs – Billy Wilder
Film: Avanti (1972) Dir: Billy Wilder: 138 min
Week 13 February 10th 2004
Auteurs – Alfred Hitchcock
Film: Vertigo (1958) 119 min
Week 14 February 17th 2005
Auteurs – Alfred Hitchcock
Film: Rear Window (1954) 112 min
Week 15 February 24th 2005
Auteurs – Alfred Hitchcock
Film: Psycho (1960) 109 min
FINAL DEADLINE FOR ESSAY 2 is the LAST CLASS:
February 24th 2005
ESSAYS SUBMITTED
AFTER THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE MARKED
ASSIGNMENTS WILL ONLY BE MARKED
FOR STUDENTS THAT ATTEND THE RELEVANT CLASSES.
Please note that some of the films above may be replaced.
Please see the Website each week
for Information and Homework Assignments
(http://www.aatkinson.com/)
PLEASE BE PUNCTUAL WHEN ATTENDING CLASS