2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL2230 From Film Noir to Asia Extreme: Questioning Genre in World Cinemas

20 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Dr Chris Homewood
Email: C.J.Homewood@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

MODL2220/MODL3220 Film Noir, World Cinema and the Creation of a Genre

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores what we understand by the term genre in film. Genre films have comprised the bulk of cinematic practice throughout film history and, with their popularity showing no sign of abating, they continue to dominate commercial venues the world over. - But how can we evaluate this pervasively present topic? Is there one 'definition' of genre?- What can we take to be the elements, conventions and iconography of genre films? - Furthermore, the study of genre has traditionally been located around Hollywood - overwhelmingly a cinema of genres - but how have other World Cinemas generated their own patterns of success? The module begins with Film Noir and considers how other World Cinemas have engaged with this ostensibly American 'genre' before moving on to discuss uniquely World Cinema genres such as Bollywood and Asia Extreme. Returning to Europe, the latter part of the module considers the problematic relationship of genre to notions of authorship and experimental filmmaking.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to:
- offer a polycentric approach to the study of film genre, rather than the traditional approach which views Hollywood as the cinema of genres;
- teach students to question linear understandings of the term 'genre' as a largely Western phenomenon; to introduce students to World Cinema genres from Japan, India and Brazil among others;
- explore tensions between genre filmmaking, notions of authorship and experimental filmmaking in World Cinemas.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- categorise and evaluate genre films;
- read different genres in World Cinemas;
- demonstrate an understanding of overlap and difference;
- understand hybridity across national film boundaries;
- negotiate tensions between genre, authorship and experimental filmmaking.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- categorise, theorise and evaluate the basic aspects of film genre;
- conduct detailed analysis of individual films;
- understand genre in the context of World Cinemas;
- recognise genre-specific cinematic techniques, and draw consequences of their use.

Syllabus

The module starts with an overview of the term genre, which is inescapably bound to Hollywood. After establishing what is traditionally understood by film genre we expose the problems of definition through a case study of Film Noir: a label devised by the critics rather than the industry, Film Noir's status as a true genre is still contested.

Our discussion of Film Noir - in many respects the ultimate World Cinema 'genre' - initiates a democratic dialogue with film studies; a discussion of the Brazilian film Foreign Land explores the way the noir style has influenced aesthetic form and content in more recent World Cinema.

We then move on to the discussion of World Cinema genres, such as Anime, Bollywood and, more recently, Asia Extreme, asking how can we categorise and evaluate genres which are unique to particular national, regional or transnational cinemas. The final part of the module examines further tensions between genre, authorship and experimentalism in a European context.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Film Screenings	10	2.00	20.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			158.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Additional film viewing: 10 x 2 hours = 20 hours
- Preparation per seminar: 10 x 5 hours = 50 hours
- Essay preparation: 40 hours
- Exam preparation: 40 hours
- 'Wiki' development: 8 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- 1 x 2,000 word essay (50%)
- 'Wiki': in groups students will work on a developing a 'Wiki' centred around a genre or a genre definition, to be monitored by the module convenor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	50.00
Project	Devising a 'Wiki' on a genre or genre term	0.00
Assignment	Extended film clip analysis - 2000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/03/2018 17:22:55

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