Film & Television Studies: Film/TV Theory

Intensive study of developments in film and/or television theory, such as realism, formalism, psychoanalysis, critical race theory, and feminism. Prerequisites: FTS 1300, FTS 1320, FTS 1420, FTS 1400, or FTS 1430.

Prereqs enforced by the system: FTS 1400 or FTS 1420 or FTS 1430; FTS majors and minors and RDS minors only during the week of registration PACE students by permission and override

In this class, we will explore both classical and contemporary film theory to critically examine the concept of the image, the specificity of the cinematic image, cinematic spectatorship, and cinema’s relationship to ideology. The theorists we will engage with include, but are not limited to: Walter Benjamin, André Bazin, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze, Joan Copjec, and Slavoj Žižek. The filmmakers whose works we will discuss include, but are not limited to: Abbas Kiarostami, Krzysztof Kieślowski, David Lynch, Edward Yang, Lars von Trier, Michael Haneke, David Cronenberg, Wim Wenders, Lee Chang-dong, Radu Jude, and Bertrand Bonello.

Each week, we will watch one or two feature-length films and read one critical essay (30–40 pages maximum). You are expected to come prepared and actively participate in class discussions.

Screening notes: 20% Weekly reading response: 15% One-Time Exam: 15% Creative work: 20% Final Paper: 20% Attendance & Participation: 10%