The 1950s: Film, Perfection & Propaganda

This subject is not offered in 2009.

Usually fifty points of first year arts. Completion of either 106-101 or 107-132 is strongly recommended.

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

This subject will focus on the decade of the 1950s as a radical turning point in cinematic history. Considering the integral relationship that exists between the film product and society, attention will turn to key historical, economic and technological factors that affected the formal and aesthetic properties of the cinema. The darker side of 1950s Hollywood will be investigated by looking at the restructuring of the studio structure, the effect of McCarthyism, the HUAC hearings and the silencing of 'dissenting' voices. Themes and theoretical issues will include: cold war propaganda; gender, race, class and ethnicity; consumerism; ideology; the establishment of a critical and theoretical film culture. Emphasis will also be placed on the popularity of television, the shift to suburbia and the impact on film viewing and production; the rise of a new leisure culture and audience concerns with the more active experiences offered by new immersive, surround sound and widescreen film technologies such as Cinerama, Cinemascope and 3D, and by new spectacle genres; the redefinition of the star system; the popularity of Walt Disney, the birth of the film-themed park, and the beginnings of conglomeration; the influence of Hollywood B-film production and the resurgence of interest in experimental film production; the impact on and the impact of European and Japanese cinemas.

A 1500 word tutorial paper 40% (due during the semester), and a 2500 word essay 60% (due during the examination period). Students are advised to consult the following web address for details of assessment penalities which apply to this subject http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/policy/assessment/policy/penalities.html.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

• possess effective written communication skills;

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