Italian National Cinemas

Subject 670-351 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2.5-hour screening, a 1-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first-year cinema studies or first-year European studies.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Mark Nicholls
Subject Overview:

This subject is a study of Italian cinema and cinemas of the Italian diaspora in Australia and the United States since the Second World War. Through close analysis of films by directors such as Rossellini, Di Sica, Visconti, Fellini, Bertolucci and Wertmuller, the subject considers a wide range of topics important to post-war Italian cultural and political life. These topics include: the development of Neo-realism, the impact of Gramsci, political debates of the first and second Republics, contemporary representations of the Risorgiemento and the fascist period, the impact of psychoanalysis and issues of regional, class and gender identity. Considering the significance of migration to Italian national identity, films such as Coppola's The Godfather, Scorsese's GoodFellas and Italianamerican and Wood's Looking for Alibrandi will be assessed as part of US and Australian case studies of migrant experience filmmaking. The impact of Hollywood on the Tiber and Italian domestic production for foreign consumption will be considered in relation to the reception by the global film market.

Assessment: Seminar participation 10% (assessed weekly), a 1000 word take home exam 40% (due during semester), and a 3000 word research essay 50% (due in the examination period).
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

  • possess effective written communication skills;

  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

Download PDF version.