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| Unit name |
Desiderio: Exploring the Boundaries of Realism and Melodrama in Italian Cinema |
| Unit code |
ITAL30044 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. O'Rawe |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of Italian |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
Although the 1940s in Italian cinema have been conventionally associated with the critically acclaimed genre of neorealism, famed for its political standpoint and immediacy of style, it is very difficult to separate neorealism, or realism in general in this period, from its critically maligned sister, melodrama. By approaching the study of film in this period through an examination of these two related genres, it is possible to analyse how such films addressed the Italian audience through their use of particular generic conventions, and understand why neorealism has been elevated by critics at the expense of other, 'lesser' genres.
Aims:
- To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to final year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
- To facilitate students engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
- To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level I.
- To equip students with the skills to undertake postgraduate study in a relevant field.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful students will:
- be knowledgable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
- will have advanced skills in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
- be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at an advanced level;
- be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an advanced level of complexity;
- be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including postgraduate study.
Teaching Information
2 x 1hr lecture/seminar.
Assessment Information
The course will be assessed by means of a clip commentary of 1500 words (25%), a 3000-word essay (50%), and a seminar presentation (25%).
Reading and References
Basic Reading List:
- Mary Wood, Italian Cinema (Berg, 2005)
- Maggie G�nsberg, Italian Cinema: Gender and Genre (Palgrave, 2005)
- Marcia Landy, Stardom Italian Style (Indiana University Press, 2008)
