Hitchcock, Film and Art

Subject SCRN40006 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 4
Total Time Commitment: 120
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in cinema studies, the Master of Cinema Management, Master of Art Curatorship or Master of Arts Management.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: None

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 that have contributed to Hitchcock's extraordinary genius and phenomenal popularity?
Objectives: Students who complete this subject will:
  • 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; and
  • 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: Students who successfully complete this subject will:
  • be skilled in research;
  • possess advanced skills of critical thinking and analysis;
  • possess an ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly, economically and effectively; and
  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.
Related Course(s): Master of Art Curatorship (Coursework and Minor Thesis)
Master of Cinema Management
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Cinema Studies
Cinema Studies
Cinema Studies

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