AJ27066 Post-war American Cinema

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2010
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 3 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Tomáš Pospíšil, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Timetable
Mon 18:20–20:45 G31, Tue 16:40–18:15 G32
Prerequisites
The course is designed for students in the M.A. study program.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course focuses on selected feature films made by notable American filmmakers during the second half of the 20th century. Students taking the course will get acquainted with thirteen key films that represented in their day notable artistic achievements and have remained an integral part of the canon of American cinema ever since. Cutting across a variety of genres, the features offer important insights into the development of the American film industry and at the same time invite thinking about a variety of wider contextual aspects. In other words we will not only concentrate on the films as such, but also consider a variety of social, political and historical issues that the films reflect and at the same time result from. A no less important aim of the course is to provide students with a theoretical framework for a better understanding and appreciation of the film medium.
Syllabus
  • Program: Week: 1. Introduction to the course; approaching films.
  • 2. Casablanca (1942),
  • 3. The Big Sleep (1946)
  • 4. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
  • 5. 12 Angry Men (1957);
  • 6. The Graduate (1967)
  • 7. Easy Rider (1969);
  • 8. The Godfather (Part I 1972, Part II 1974)
  • 9. All the President’s Men (1976);
  • 10. Blade Runner (1982);
  • 11. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
  • 12. American Beauty (1999)
  • 13. The Hours (2002)
Literature
  • MONACO, James. How to read a film : the world of movies, media, and multimedia : language, history, theory. Edited by David Lindroth. 3rd ed., completely rev. and. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000, 672 s. ISBN 019503869X. info
Teaching methods
The course is based on watching films, reading, individual preparation, as well as class discussions. All students wishing to successfully complete the course are expected to view all the main items on the viewing list, read all the assigned reading, prepare a film presentation, and actively participate in the discussions in class. There will be a separate viewing session, which is also compulsory! Your grade will be based on your performance in class (in-class quizzes, presentation, and involvement in discussions - 50%) and on the result of a written exam (50%). The duty to present a film in class also includes the duty to provide a one-page written synopsis (either in word or ppt) that should be uploaded into elf two days prior to the seminar when your presentation is due. Students who miss more than two classes (and/or viewing sessions) automatically fail the class. Please note that this schedule is subject to change dependent on the specific needs of the group.
Assessment methods
The grade will be based on the performance in class (in-class quizzes, presentation, and involvement in discussions - 50%) and on the result of the written exam (50%).
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2010.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2010, recent)
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