LT347-6-AU-CO:
American Film Authors
2025/26
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
14 May 2025
Requisites for this module
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If American movies can still be characterised as constructing a dominant image of the United States (not only for the American people themselves but also for much of the rest of the world), then this filmmaking might be counted as one of the most influential and productive forces in the US culture industries. The cinema of the USA has not only reflected but also shaped and anticipated much of the country's history and politics, yet the key figures behind these media products are often far more complex, unpredictable, and even controversial than we might at first imagine. Researching and unpacking the nuances of their relationship to their craft has become a key task of doing film histories and film analysis. This module aims to consider these ideas through examination of the work of US directors, actors, writers, and other key figures. We will examine Hollywood filmmakers, who have had a significant role in mapping the space of America in the popular imagination, and independent filmmakers, who have provided key alternatives to mainstream views and comprehension of the USA. In doing so, we will critically study, interrogate and, at times, challenge the conventions of auteur theory to broaden ideas of what a film author can be.
The aims of the module are:
- To gain insight into how the cinema of the USA has not only reflected but also shaped much of the country's history and politics.
- To gain exposure to US cinematic texts ranging from those of the classic studio system to more independent and alternative films.
- To examine in some detail select key figures behind US cinema products and engage more deeply with the stories and practices behind their films.
- To gain knowledge of US film authors and understand how this knowledge can contribute to the work of doing film histories and film analysis.
- To study and interrogate the conventions and limits of auteur theory.
- To gain enhanced skills in research and film analysis.
- To gain enhanced skills in written and verbal expression.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to have:
- Understanding of how the cinema of the USA has not only reflected but shaped much of the country's history and politics.
- Further exposure to US cinematic texts ranging from those of the classic studio system to more independent and alternative films.
- Greater knowledge of select key figures in US cinema history and the stories and practices behind their films.
- Knowledge of US film authors and understanding of how this knowledge can contribute to the work of doing film histories and film analysis.
- Greater understanding of the conventions and limits of auteur theory.
- Enhanced skills in research and film analysis.
- Enhanced skills in written and verbal expression.
Indicative filmography (subject to change):
- Sunset Boulevard
- Some Like it Hot
- She's Gotta Have It
- Certain Women
- The Virgin Suicides
- 13th
- Moonlight
The module will be delivered via:
- 1 x weekly lecture
- 1 x weekly seminar
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Andrew Sarris (2016) 'Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962', in L. Braudy and M. Cohen (eds) Film theory and criticism: introductory readings. Eighth edition. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Stoddart, H. (1995) 'Auteurism and Film Authorship Theory', in J. Hollows and M. Jancovich (eds) Approaches to popular film. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
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Chaplin, C. (1917) 'The Immigrant'. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycLOeCLJ9V0.
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Buscombe, E. (1973b) 'Ideas of Authorship',
Screen, 14(3), pp. 75–85. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/14.3.75.
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Maland, C.J. (1989) Chaplin and American culture: the evolution of a star image. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
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Mark Winokur (1996) American laughter. New York: St. Martin's Press.
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Comolli, J.L. and Narboni, J. (1999) 'Cinema/Ideology/Criticism', in. New York: Oxford University Press.
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hooks, bell (2015)
Black looks: race and representation. New York: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=864843.
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Gates, H.L. (1987) 'Introduction', in Race, Writing and Difference. The University of Chicago Press.
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Gates, R. (no date) 'The Last Shall be FIRST: Aesthetics and Politics in Black Film and Media',
Film Quarterly, 71(2), pp. 38–45. Available at:
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1525/fq.2017.71.2.38.
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Begley, V. (2007) '"One Right Guy to Another”: Howard Hawks and Auteur Theory Revisited',
Camera Obscura: Feminism, Culture, and Media Studies, 22(1), pp. 43–75. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1215/02705346-2006-020.
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Wise, N. (1996) 'The Hawksian Woman', in Howard Hawks, American artist. London: BFI Publishing, pp. 111–119.
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Salamensky, S.I. (2013) 'Bringing Up Baby: Screwball and the Con of Modern Culture', in J. Geiger and R.L. Rutsky (eds) Film analysis: a Norton reader. Second edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, pp. 262–279.
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DiBattista, M. (2001) 'Missing Links: Bringing Up Baby', in
Fast-talking dames. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 174–201. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1npn5p.9.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Jeffrey Geiger, email: j.geiger@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Jeff Geiger
LiFTS General Office - email liftstt@essex.ac.uk.
Telephone 01206 872626
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Andrew Birtwistle
Canterbury Christ Church University
Reader in Film and Sound
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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