Checking date: 28/04/2017

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Course: 2019/2020

Film Genre
(13530)
Bachelor in Film, Television and Media Studies (2008 Study Plan) (Plan: 154 - Estudio: 211)


Coordinating teacher: FERNANDEZ-RODRIGUEZ LABAYEN, MIGUEL

Department assigned to the subject: Communication and Media Studies Department

Type: Electives
ECTS Credits: 3.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:



Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
-Moving image history
ObjectivesFurther information on this link
1. A broad knowledge of the most important approaches to film genre theory. 2. A broad knowledge of the history and problems of the main film genres. 3. A broad knowledge of the hybridation processes afecting Hollywood models in different contexts and the development of alternative formulas. 4. Competence to analyze and discuss the cultural, social and economic functions of film genres, and of their historical evolution in different settings.
Description of contents: programme
1. Genre Theory: An Introduction 2. What are Film Genres? Performance, narrative, and reception in film genre 3. A historical overview of film genre: the case of the film musical 4. A performative approach to film genre: film comedy 5. A transnational approach to film genres: horror cinema 6. A post-modern approach to film genre: the Western
Learning activities and methodology
1. Master classes. Theory-based classes. Students will acquire basic knowledge about film genre theory and history. Competences 1, 2 and 3 (1 ECTS). 2. Practical sessions. Fragments of especially relevant or representative films will be screened. Case studies. Competence 4 (0,5 ECTS). 3 Student's work. Guided study of theoretical-practical contents and learning materials. Students will be required to write an essay about specific aspects related to the class syllabus. Competences 1, 2, 3 and 4 (1,5 ECTS).
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Basic Bibliography
  • ALTMAN, Rick:. "A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Film Genre". Cinema Journal, Vol. 23, No. 3 (spring), pp. 6-18 (in Film Genre Reader IV). 1984
  • Altman, Rick. Film/Genre. BFI. 1999
  • Charch, David. ¿From Exhibition to Genre: The Case of Grind-House Films¿. Cinema Journal, Vol. 50, No. 4 (summer), pp. 1-25. 2011
  • Collins, Jim. "Genericity in the Nineties: Eclectic Irony and the New Sincerity" (Chapter of the book "Film theory goes to the movies"). Routledge. 1993
  • Feuer, Jane. The Film Musical. Indiana University Press. 1982
  • GRANT, Barry Keith (ed.):. "Film Genre Reader". (Austin, University of Texas Press, 1986 [3ª ed. ampliada, 2003]).
  • KING, Geoff . Film Comedy. The Wallflower Press. 2002
  • Marmysz, John & Scott A. Lukas (eds.). Fear, Cultural Anxiety, and Transformation: Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Films Remade. Lexington. 2009
  • NEAL, Steve . ¿Melodrama and tears¿ . Screen, 27 (6), 1986. pp. 6-23. 1986
Additional Bibliography
  • GENETTE, Gérard. The Architext. An Introduction. (I to IV). University of California Press. 1992
  • GRANT, Barry Keith . Film Genre: From Iconography to Ideology. Wallflower Press. 2007
  • LANGFORD, Barry . Film Genre: Hollywood and Beyond. Edinburgh University Press. 2005
  • MERCER, John and SHINGLER, Martin . Melodrama. Genre, Style, Sensibility . Wallflower Press. 2004

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.