Italian National Cinemas

Subject 670-351 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.

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

Contact

Mark Nicholls

markdn@unimelb.edu.au

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.

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the development and characteristics of national cinemas;
be able to understand the relationship between national cinemas and political form;
be able to account for the position of national cinemas in relation to popular cinema.
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:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

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

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.

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.

Notes: This subject is available to students enrolled in the BA prior to 2008 at either 2nd or 3rd year level and can be credited to a major in either Cinema or Cultural Studies.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Cinema & Cultural Studies
Cinema Studies Major
European Studies Major

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