Course Info

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Taught concurrently with French 239, the course offers an introduction to the major artistic and historical developments if French film, as it relates to French culture, politics, history and society as well as to major trends in World cinema, American cinema in particular. We begin with the birth of cinema, continue with a range of topics including the surrealist avant-garde of the 1920s, French poetic realism and film noir, and end with a three week study of the French New Wave.

The course is open to students of both French and Film Studies and all lectures will be given in English. All films are sub-titled and no knowledge of French is required of Film Studies majors. Conversely, no previous knowledge of film studies is supposed for French major students who will attend a separate discussion class in French, however it will be a definite advantage for French majors to have completed French 129.

The course will introduce analytical tools for the appreciation of film, ie. the terminology and principles of film grammar and basic aspects of film theory.

Timetable:

Lecture: Tues 4-6pm

 

Film viewing sessions: Mon 1-3 pm; Tues 10-12, group screening room, AVL. Students who are unable to attend either session must arrange to view films in their own time, BEFORE the lecture.  Sessions must be regularly well-attended (5 or more) to be maintained. Poorly attended sessions will be cancelled by AVL.

 

Discussion Classes (starting week two, 239 & 339 combined)

Choose one session:

FTV discussion class: Thurs 11am-12pm and 2-3pm in A611.

French discussion class: Thurs 1-2pm in 611.

 

Important note: The discussion class is an integral part of the course and is facilitated by the course coordinator. It includes assessed course-work (see assessment) and is not a remedial tutorial. The lectures generally provide a broad introduction to historical periods, aesthetic trends, theoretical issues, specific filmmakers and the principal film for the week. Specific points addressed in the lecture will be expanded on in class and other related issues discussed in detail. Preparation includes doing a weekly reading and working on (graded) a task sheet to be completed during the class and submitted at the end of the hour. Stage three students will present during the first thirty minutes of class followed by general discussion, providing all students with the opportunity to express and exchange ideas as well as ask questions.

RECOMMENDED TEXT: Alan Williams: REPUBLIC OF IMAGES [UBS, Volume One. See also library general collection and shortloan]

 

DEPARTMENTAL COURSE-BOOKS : A course-book, comprising a reading, for each film, + bibliographical information will be available from the French department secretary (room 612, extn 87136) from Feb. 2006.

 

ELECTRONIC COURSE READINGS: supplementary recommended readings available thorough the on-line course reader. See Voyager.

 

LECTURE NOTES IN FRENCH: a summary in French, will be available on CECIL each week, following the lecture.

 

LIBRARY RESOURCE PAGE: access through course web page or LEARN

www.arts.auckland/online/French239

www.arts.auckland/online/French339

NOTICES : CECIL, and Stage Three French notice-board, 6^th floor, Arts building.

 

CECIL : Cecil will be used to deliver course announcements, and resources: supplementary material and copies of handouts. Students must therefore familiarize themselves with the system. see www.cecil.auckland.ac.nz . NB To receive announcements at your personal e-mail address, (rather than your designated Auckland University e-mail address), you must enter Cecil and change the address yourself.

 

QUERIES, ENQUIRIES, PROBLEMS:

see Deborah Walker extn 88311 Room 601. [d.walker@auckland.ac.nz]

February Office hours: Phone or e-mail to make an appointment. Semester Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 3-4pm. If possible, let me know in advance when you wish to see me. If these hours don’t suit, you are most welcome to make an appointment.

 

WORKLOAD EXPECTATIONS

 

As per any 15 pt undergraduate course, it expected that students will devote 9-10 hours study per week to it. This time should be divided roughly as follows: 3 hours lecture & class, 2 hours viewing, 2-3 hours reading (from course-books) and class-work preparation (task sheets); 2-3 hours other assignments.