Hitchcock, Film and Art

Subject 107-440 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - 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-hour seminar and a 2-hour screening per week
Total Time Commitment: 4 contact hours/week, 6 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in cinema 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 Wendy Haslem

Contact

Wendy Haslem

wlhaslem@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest directors of the 20th century. Recently a number of international exhibitions have documented the receptiveness of Hitchcock's films to the literary and visual arts of his time - from Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist paintings to the writings of Edgar Allen Poe, German expressionism, surrealism and modernism. Hitchcock's films have been influenced by artists such as Sickert, Klee, Magritte, de Chirico and Dali and have also exerted a powerful influence on contemporary artists and filmmakers such as Stan Douglas, Cindy Sherman and Chris Marker. This subject seeks to establish his place in art history as well as the film canon and to contextualise the Hitchcockian oeuvre both historically and aesthetically. It also asks the question - what are the factors which have contributed to Hitchcock's extraordinary genius and phenomenal popularity?
Objectives:	develop a detailed understanding of the way in which a popular art form such as film can encompass, and inspire, other artistic movements and art forms such as literature, painting, photography and video installations; develop an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetic elements of the Hitchcockian oeuvre; explore and critically evaluate the part played by the cinema in history of modernity and the former's receptiveness to the visual arts of the time; explore the way in which issues of gender, ethnicity and sexuality have shaped Hitchcock's oeuvre.
Assessment:	A single 5000 word essay or two shorter essays of 2500 words each 90% (due at the end of the examination period) and a seminar presentation 10% (due during the semester).
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	be skilled in research; possess advanced skills of critical thinking and analysis; possess an ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly, economically and effectively; have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.
Related Course(s):	Master of Cinema Management
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Cinema Studies Cinema Studies Cinema Studies Gender Studies Gender Studies Gender Studies

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