Course description: One of the reasons for the unprecedented success of U.S. popular culture can be found in the lasting attraction of Hollywood cinema. This lecture series will deal with the fascination the ‘dream factory’ has exerted upon mass audiences from the beginnings of modern entertainment culture. Our examples will include early short films, slapstick films as well as film noir (Double Indemnity), monumental cinema (The Birth of a Nation), science fiction (Alien), action thrillers (Falling Down), war movies (Full Metal Jacket), animation films (Ratatouille), and contemporary blockbusters (Avatar). Special emphasis will be placed on the discussion of American movie genres and their tradition, the genealogy of cinematic techniques, and the emergence of the classical Hollywood system. While discussing these films on an aesthetic level (examining their strategies of narration and cinematic construction), we will also attempt to situate them within the framework of political and historical events. Themes to be discussed include ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class.
Grading:In order to receive a ‘Schein’ for this course, you have to participate regularly, have watched the main films and pass the final exam in class (‘Abschlussklausur’). B.A. students need to write a 45 min. exam (consisting of one part), M.A. students a 90 min. exam (consisting of two parts). To earn 5 CP you also need to write an introduction to one film genre of 3 pages (B.A.) / 4 pages (M.A.) (to be made accessible to the other students). To earn 7 CP you have to write a paper on one film genre with a close reading of 5 pages (B.A.) / 8 pages (M.A.) (to be made accessible to the class).
Deadline for Final Papers: Friday, March 31 (Thursday), 2011. Note: There is no (!) extension of this deadline.