To introduce students to the major periods and some of the major films of one of the most significant of European National cinemas, through a selection of films which are available in sub-titled versions in this country;

To give students an understanding of the range of Italian cinema, its influence on Europe as a whole, and its very particular nature (with a particular consideration to the strong division between the internationally influential ‘art-film’ production of the 1950s and 1960s, and the generic popular films which brought in the domestic audience and have recently begun to attract notice abroad);

To broaden students’ perceptions of ‘European’ cinema, to give them a basis for comparison which they can use in their other modules on this course;

To increase students’ analytical tools and vocabulary with respect to different types of cultural production;

To increase students’ awareness of the social f unction of film (and cultural production in general) and the role it plays both for its audience and (to some extent) in the intellectual life of a culture in general;

To make students aware of possible aspects of film culture which they may wish to explore further in their final year or during their year in Europe;

To increase students’ confidence in written and oral analysis and debate.

(LO1) A broad knowledge of the history of Italian cinema so that students will be able both to compare it with other European cinemas and to assess current Italian films and issues in Italian cinema in a historical context.

(LO2) An awareness of the different roles and functions of ‘auteur’ and popular cinema, of the issues for film studies which these different types of production imply, and of some possibly fruitful avenues for further study.

(LO3) An ability to discuss both orally and in written form concepts relating both to formal innovation (where authorial intent must be taken into account) and to generic norms and issues of spectatorship (applying theoretical concepts to popular cultural forms)

(LO4) Confidence in dealing with film texts where (it must be assumed) the principal language is not one they are familiar with, and an ability to make allowances for this and to come to the appropriate terms with their own position in relation to the culture they are studying.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Media analysis

(S5) Global citizenship - Cultural awareness

(S6) Personal attributes and qualities - Independence

(S7) Research skills - independent analysis

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: The history and background to the films and to the concepts of genre and authority will be introduced through formal lectures, which students will be expected to reinforce with background reading.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Seminars will focus on the discussion of the selected films.
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method 3 - Tutorial
Description: Tutorials will focus on presentation skills, essay writing and exam preparation. The continuous assessment is based on one presentation (students may carry this out singly or in groups depending on numbers in the class) and one essay focusing on one of the topics studied. The examination for this module will be at the end of the semester during the exam session period and will consist of one two-hour written paper.
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method 4 - Film Screenings
Description: Film Screenings
Atten dance Recorded: No

Skill / other attribute 1:
Communication (oral, written and visual) - presentation skills – oral.
How this is developed:
Seminar.

Skill / other attribute 2:
Communication (oral, written and visual) - academic writing (inc. referencing skills).
How this is developed:
Lecture.

Skill / other attribute 3:
Critical thinking and problem solving - critical analysis.
How this is developed:
Seminar.

Skill / other attribute 4:
Communication (oral, written and visual) - media analysis.
How this is developed:
Film screening.

Skill / other attribute 5:
Global citizenship - cultural awareness.
How this is developed:
Lecture.

Skill / other attribute 6:
Personal attributes and qualities - independence.
How this is developed:
Tutorial.

Skill / other attribute 7:
Research skills - independent analysis.
How this is developed:
Tutorial.

Topics covered during the module may include:

The Silent Era;

Italian Cinema during Fascism;

Neorealism;

The 1960s: the Auteurs;

The 1960s/1970s - Popular genres: Italian Style Comedy, Western, Horror, Giallo and Poliziesco;

Italian cinema from the 1970s to the present;

Film seminars may include:

Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City;

Vittorio De Sica’s The Bicycle Thieves;

Luchino Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers;

Dario Argento’s Deep Red;

Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful.