NORTH AMERICAN CINEMA

The course is part of the Master’s Degree programs in European, American and Postcolonial Language and Literature and in Language Sciences and aims at providing students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of US cinematic culture. Students will improve their skills in analyzing films and in relating them to their historical and cultural contexts. The analytical skills students have learnt during the BA course will be further verified and developed, to include more specialized knowledge of critical theory. In addition, they will broaden their experience in working autonomously and in presenting the results of their own research.
This course is in line with the educational goals of the Department of Excellence.

The learning outcomes of the course are 1. development of knowledge and understanding of the key works by American cinematic auteurs; 2. the skill to apply this knowledge and understanding to other works; 3. the development of advanced communication skills in English; 4. autonomous formulation of judgements in analyzing primary and secondary texts; 5. ability to work synergically with other students.

Advanced knowledge of oral and written English (≥ C1).

The course will examine five groundbreaking auteur films which can be taken as paradigmatic of 1970s US culture.

Robert Altman, McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
William Friedkin, The French Connection (1971)
John Cassavetes, A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver (1976)
Charles Burnett, Killer of Sheep (1978)
Hal Ashby, Coming Home (1978)

Introductory and critical essays will be available on Moodle.

The written exam (in English) lasts 2 hours and consists of three questions on the films discussed in class. In the exam, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the content of the films discussed in class (including the plot), to compare them with each other and discuss them independently, to know the cultural-historical context, to be able to apply the theoretical tools of criticism, and to be able to reflect on the theoretical debates addressed in the course. The oral exam (about 20 min) is a further assessment of the preparation tested in the written exam. Participation in class discussions will also be positively valued.

written and oral

The minimum grade is 18, the maximum grade is 30 cum laude. The grades will be assigned as follows:
A. band 18-22: sufficient content knowledge; limited ability to discuss independently, limited knowledge of theoretical tools, limited knowledge of the cultural-historical contexts and debates.
B. band 23-26: decent content knowledge; decent ability for independent discussion, decent knowledge of theoretical tools, decent knowledge of the historical-cultural contexts and debates.
C. band 27-30: good content knowledge; good ability for independent discussion; good knowledge of theoretical tools; good knowledge of the cultural-historical contexts and debates.
D. Cum Laude: awarded in case the content knowledge, independent discussion skills and knowledge of the theoretical tools, historical-cultural context and debates are excellent.

Lectures, seminars, screenings and class discussion

English

Students are invited to attend the lectures and conferences organized by the American studies section.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development