Selected Topics in Film and Video Studies Contemporary Arts 237

Section: e100

Term: 2008 Fall

Instructor: Instructor: Patricia Gruben

Office: CA 622 /HC 3180

Phone: 778.782.7880

Discussion Topics: Innovations in Film Narrative is a study of modernist and post-modernist dramatic films from North America, Europe and Asia over the past three decades. We will concentrate on films that have influenced world cinema, such as the work of David Lynch (Mulholland Drive), Todd Haynes (Poison, Iím Not There), Yvonne Rainer (Journeys from Berlin), Atom Egoyan (Exotica), Chantal Akerman (Jíai Froid! Jíai Faim!), Francois Girard (32 Short Films About Glenn Gould) Sally Potter (Orlando) and Wong Kar-Wai (Fallen Angels). The first class will provide an overview of the creative ferment of the 1960ís in which filmmakers such as Godard, Bunuel, Ozu, Resnais, and Robbe-Grillet made revolutionary innovations in film style and structure. Each subsequent class will present a film for study of its narrative structure in relation to its visual and aural style, backed by readings in basic cinematic and narrative theory and, wherever possible, the filmmakersí own writings.

Students will be required to read widely in support of the film screenings and to write two short research papers for the course. They will also keep a journal in which they record their engagement with the films shown in class, to be handed in at regular intervals.

Grading: Journal 40%

Paper #1 20%

Paper #2 30%

Attendance & participation 10%

ASSIGNMENTS

Journal: 500-700 word weekly analytical response to course films and readings

Papers: Two 1,700-2,000 word research papers on a topic related to course films and readings.

Required Texts:

Recommended Texts: Custom Courseware Selected Topics in Film and Video Studies Materials/Supplies:

Prerequisite/Corequisite: One of FPA 136, FPA 137 or equivalent

Notes:

This outline is derived from a course outline repository database that was maintained by SFU Student Services and the University’s IT Services Department. The database was retired in 2014 and the data migrated to SFU Archives in 2015.