LT347-6-FY-CO:
American Film Authors
2024/25
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
15 February 2023
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 directors, actors, writers, and other key figures who have worked both inside and outside Hollywood. Arguably, many of these figures have had a significant role in mapping the space of America in the popular imagination, while others have provided key alternatives to mainstream views and comprehension of the USA. While critically studying and interrogating the conventions of auteur theory, this module covers a breadth of US film history and genres. Films discussed may include Taxi Driver, Touch of Evil, The Night of the Hunter, 12 Years a Slave, Marvel's Avengers, Moonlight and The Miseducation of Cameron Post.
Content note:
This module may contain screenings and class clips that contain adult content (including but not limited to violence and sexual violence, themes of suicide or self-harm, and representations of war). If you are concerned that you might be adversely affected by such materials, please contact your module tutor or Personal Tutor. You may also find it useful to consult advisory websites such as the British Board of Film Classification (www.bbfc.co.uk) and Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org).
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
Upon successful completion of this module, students should 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
No additional information available.
Anticipated Teaching: Weekly 3-hour seminar (Autumn) and weekly 2-hour lectorial (Spring)
- Lorde, Audre. (2019) 'Age, Race, Class and Sex: Women Redefining Difference', in Race, class, and gender: intersections and inequalities, Boston, MA: Cengage.
- Wilder, Billy; Holden, William; Swanson, Gloria; Von Stroheim, Erich; Olson, Nancy. (2002) Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood: Paramount Pictures. vol. Paramount DVD Collection
- Dyer, Richard; McDonald, Paul. (1998) Stars: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
- Girgus, Sam B. (1998) Hollywood renaissance: the cinema of democracy in the era of Ford, Capra, and Kazan, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Rawle, Steven. (2018) Transnational cinema: an introduction, London: Palgrave.
- Todd, Janet. (1988) Women and film, New York: Holmes & Meier. vol. new series, v. 4
- Ford, John; Wayne, John. (c2000) The Searchers, [London?]: Warner Home Video.
- Fuchs, Cynthia. (2013) 'Taxi Driver: 'I got some bad ideas in my head'', in Film analysis: a Norton reader, New York: W. W. Norton & Company., pp.696-714
- Haynes, Todd. (2004) Safe, [S.l.]: Prism Leisure.
- Johnston, Claire. (1978) 'Double Indemnity', in Women in film noir, London: British Film Institute., pp.100-111
- DiBattista, Maria. (c2001) 'Missing Links: Bringing Up Baby', in Fast-talking dames, New Haven: Yale University Press., pp.174-201
- Carter, Matthew. (2014) Myth of the western: new perspectives on Hollywood's frontier narrative, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Lorde, Audre. (1990) 'Age, Race, Class and Sex: Women Redefining Difference', in Out there: marginalization and contemporary cultures, London: MIT Press., pp.179-287
- Dyer, Richard. (1986) Heavenly bodies: film stars and society, New York: St. Martin's Press.
- Place, Janey. (1978) 'Women in Film Noir', in Women in film noir, London: British Film Institute., pp.35-65
- Schatz, Thomas. (2006) 'Annie Hall the Issue of Modernism', in The films of Woody Allen: critical essays, Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press., pp.123-132
- Shumway, David. (1995) '“Screwball Comedies: Constructing Romance, Mystifying Marriage”', in Film genre reader II, Austin: University of Texas Press., pp.381-401
- Wood, Robin. (c1989) 'Vertigo', in Hitchcock's films revisited, New York: Columbia University Press., pp.108-130
- Hillier, Jim; Wollen, Peter. (1996) Howard Hawks, American artist, London: BFI Publishing.
- Cowie, Elizabeth. (1993) 'Film Noir and Women', in Shades of noir: a reader, London: Verso., pp.121-165
- Lorde, Audre. (c2004) 'Age, Race, Class and Sex: Women Redefining Difference', in Race, class, and gender: an anthology, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. vol. The Wadsworth sociology reader series
- Peter Wollen. (2016) 'From Signs and Meaning in the Cinema', in Film theory and criticism: introductory readings, New York: Oxford University Press.
- Leo, Melissa; McDermott, Charlie; Hunt, Courtney. (2013) Frozen River: Sony Pictures Home Ent.
- Marlaine Glicksman. (1986) 'Lee Way', in Film Comment: Film Society of Lincoln Center. vol. 22, pp.46-49
- Stoddart, Helen. (c1995) 'Auteurism and Film Authorship Theory', in Approaches to popular film, Manchester: Manchester University Press. vol. Inside popular film
- Place, J.; Peterson, L. S. (c1976-c1985) 'Some Visual Motifs of Film Noir', in Movies and methods: an anthology, Berkeley: University of California Press. vol. 1, pp.325-338
- Studlar, Gaylyn. (2013) 'Double Indemnity: Hard-Boiled Film Noir', in Film analysis: a Norton reader, New York: W. W. Norton & Company., pp.380-389
- Schrader, Paul. (1995) 'Notes on Film Noir', in Film genre reader II, Austin: University of Texas Press., pp.213-226
- Girgus, Sam B. (1993) 'Desire and Narrativity in Annie Hall', in The films of Woody Allen, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press., pp.44-61
- Reid, Mark. (c1993) 'Black Comedy on the Verge of a Genre Breakdown', in Redefining Black film, Berkeley: University of California Press., pp.100-109
- Cameron, Ian; Pye, Douglas. (1996) The movie book of the western, London: Studio Vista.
- Willis, Sharon. (2013) 'Do The Right Thing: A Theatre of Interruptions', in Film analysis: a Norton reader, New York: W. W. Norton & Company., pp.776-793
- Mast, Gerald. (1982) 'Comedies of Youth and Age: Bringing Up Baby and Monkey Business', in Howard Hawks, storyteller, New York: Oxford University Press.
- Kaplan, E. Ann. (2000) 'Is the Gaze Male?', in Feminism and film, Oxford: Oxford University Press., pp.119-138
- (2013) Film analysis: a Norton reader, New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
- Modleski, Tania. (2005) 'Vertigo: Femininity By Design', in The women who knew too much: Hitchcock and feminist theory, New York: Routledge., pp.87-100
- Salamensky, S. I. (2013) 'Bringing Up Baby: Screwball and the Con of Modern Culture', in Film analysis: a Norton reader, New York: W. W. Norton & Company., pp.262-279
- Thornham, Sue. (1999) Feminist Film Theory, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Baraka, Amiri. (1993) 'Spike Lee at the Movies', in Black American cinema, New York: Routledge. vol. AFI film readers, pp.145-153
- Baker, Houston. (1993) 'Spike Lee and the Commerce of Culture', in Black American cinema, New York: Routledge. vol. AFI film readers, pp.154-176
- Gallagher, Tag. (c1986) John Ford: the man and his films, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
- Scorsese, Martin. (1980) 'Expressions of the Streets', in A Cinema of Loneliness, New York: Oxford University Press., pp.185-261
- Gottlieb, Sidney. (c1995) 'On Style', in Hitchcock on Hitchcock: selected writings and interviews, Berkeley: University of California Press., pp.285-302
- Andrew Sarris. (2016) 'Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962', in Film theory and criticism: introductory readings, New York: Oxford University Press.
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 |
| Coursework |
Visual Studies Project |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Autumn Term Essay |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Group Presentation with PowerPoint Slides |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Spring Term Essay |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Summer Term Essay |
|
25% |
| Practical |
Participation |
|
5% |
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
Of 1208 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
1208 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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