At the end of this course, the students; 1) will be able to analyze how Hollywood films both reflect and influence the desires of the audiences, 2) will be able to discuss the history of Hollywood films and how they reflect significant movements in twentieth century American culture.
MODE OF DELIVERY
E-Learning
PRE-REQUISITES OF THE COURSE
No
RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL PROGRAMME COMPONENT
None
COURSE DEFINITION
This course will introduce students to a variety of critical approaches to studying American history and culture through their representations in Hollywood films. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between American culture and questions of authorship, genre, stardom, and the film audience.
COURSE CONTENTS
WEEK
TOPICS
1st Week
Introduction to the Course & to the Study of Film; PART I Culture and American Film; Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study of Film Form and Representation; Chapter 2: The Structure and History of Hollywood Filmmaking
2nd Week
PART II Race and Ethnicity and American Film; Chapter 3: The Concept of Whiteness and American Film
3rd Week
Chapter 4: African Americans and American Film
4th Week
Chapter 5: Native Americans and American Film; Chapter 6: Asian Americans and American Film
5th Week
Chapter 7: Latinos and American Film
6th Week
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
7th Week
PART III Class and American Film; Chapter 8: Classical Hollywood Cinema and Class; Chapter 9: Cinematic Class Struggle after the Depression
8th Week
PART IV Gender and American Film; Chapter 10: Women in Classical Hollywood Filmmaking; Chapter 11: Exploring the Visual Parameters of Women in Film
9th Week
Chapter 12: Masculinity in Classical Hollywood Filmmaking; Chapter 13: Gender in American Film since the 1960s
10th Week
PART V Sexuality and American Film; Chapter 14: Heterosexuality, Homosexuality, and Classical Hollywood; Chapter 15: Sexualities on Film since the Sexual Revolution
11th Week
PART VI Ability and American Film; Chapter 16: Cinematic Images of (Dis)Ability
12th Week
TERM PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
RECOMENDED OR REQUIRED READING
Benshoff, Harry M. and Sean Griffin. America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Lecture,Discussion,Project,Other
ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA
Quantity
Percentage(%)
Mid-term
1
30
Quiz
4
5
Project
1
30
Attendance
1
5
Total(%)
70
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)
70
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)
30
Total(%)
100
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English
WORK PLACEMENT(S)
No
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES (KLO) / MATRIX OF LEARNING OUTCOMES (LO)