BHQFUWinter2010

Philosophy of Motion Pictures Part II

Introduction to Film Theory

Wednesdays 7:30—10:30pm

Starting Jan 27, 2010

 

 

Instructors: Michael Brent and Peter H. Duhon Jr.

E-mails: michael.brent@columbia.edu, peter.duhon@artcomments.com

Sign-Up Sheet for course: Online form

 

Course Description

This course will investigate the content and structure of films, using methodologies and concepts culled from linguistics, psychoanalysis, semiotics, anthropology, and continental philosophy.  We shall familiarize ourselves with, and evaluate the major issues and debates within, film theory, while critically engaging with films from a socio-historical context that rigorously confronts the heterogeneity of meaning, interpretation, and authorship.  Along the way, we shall also consider relevant issues in narrative theory and literary texts.      

 

Course Objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

 

  1. Carefully read and critically evaluate essays written by philosophers.
  2. Explain how the films viewed in class relate to the course readings.
  3. Identify and critically evaluate philosophical content found in motion pictures.

 

Teaching Methods

We will use lectures, class discussions and presentations, and film-viewing.

 

Required Texts

  1. Film Theory, An Introduction, edited by Robert Lapsley and Michael Westlake (Manchester University Press, 2006 2nd Edition).  The text can be purchased through a variety of internet retailers, for approximately $28. We'll provide hard copies of the articles for your own personal use.
  2. Cinema 1: The Movement-Image, Gilles Deleuze (University of Minnesota Press, 2006). The text can be purchased through a variety of internet retailers, for approximately $14. We'll provide hard copies of the articles for your own personal use.
  3. Cinema 2: The Time-Image, Gilles Deleuze (University of Minnesota Press, 2006). The text can be purchased through a variety of internet retailers, for approximately $14. We'll provide hard copies of the articles for your own personal use.

 

Student Evaluation

Although there will be no grades given in this course, students are encouraged to write two short papers the details of which will be discussed in class.

 

Readings and Films

The following list is a tentative guide to the readings and screenings.  Changes will be announced in class.

 

 

Introduction

What exactly is Theory?  Does it matter?

Walter Benjamin
1. Reading: The Work of Art in the Age of Its Mechanical Reproduction
Guest Presentations and Class Discussion

 

Politics

1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 1
2. Reading: "Sign, Structure, and Play in the Human Sciences" by Jacques Derrida

Screening: In Praise of Love

 

Semiotics

1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 2
2. Reading: "The Purloined Letter" by Jacques Lacan

Screening: Blade Runner, Director's Cut

 

Psychoanalysis
1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 3
2. Reading: "The System and the Speaking Subject", by Julia Kristeva
Screening: The Bridesmaid

 

Authorship
1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 4
2. Reading: "Death of the Author", by Roland Barthes
3. Reading: "What is an Author?", by Michel Foucault

Screening: Young Mr. Lincoln

 

Narrative

1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 5

2. Reading: "Essay on Abjection" (intro), by Julia Kristeva

Screening: Hunger

 

Realism

1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 6

2. Reading: Cinema 1, Gilles Deleuze, Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4

Screening: Joan of Arc

 

The Avant-Garde

1. Reading: Film Theory, An Introduction, Chapter 7
2. Reading: Cinema 1, Gilles Deleuze, Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8

Screening: The Rules of the Game

 

The Movement Image

1. Reading: Cinema 1, Gilles Deleuze, Chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12

Screening: Persona

 

The Time-Image (I)

1. Reading: Cinema 2, Gilles Deleuze, Chapters 1, 2, and 3

Screening: The Girlfriend Experience or The Informant

 

The Time-Image (II)

1. Reading: Cinema 2, Gilles Deleuze, Chapters 4, 5, and 6

Screening: La Strada

The Time-Image (III)
1. Reading: Cinema 2, Gilles Deleuze, Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10
Presentations and Class Discussion