European Avant-Garde Film

Code

HART2028

School

Cultural, Media and Visual Studies

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module will introduce students to film as an art form through the study of key works of avant-garde cinema in early 20th century Europe. It will begin by exploring what is meant by the term avant-garde, considering the development of experimental filmmaking within the context of artistic movements such as Futurism, cubism, Dada, Surrealism and Constructivism. Focusing on developments in Germany, France and the Soviet Union during the 1920s, it will consider experimental techniques such as animation, montage and camera-less filmmaking. Key practitioners will include Luis Bunuel, Rene Clair, Germaine Dulac, Fernand Leger, Hans Richter and Dziga Vertoc. Students will build knowledge of avant-garde practices and will be encouraged to reflect upon these in relation to mainstream filmmaking, examining broader artistic developments, enabling students to understand the relationship between film and other media (e.g painting, sculpture, photography, music and dance). It will also consider avant-garde film within the historical context of the 1920s, exploring the ways in which aesthetic and political strategies of filmmakers can be understood in relation to modernity.

A single coursework assessment will replace all failed assessment components at the reassessment stage.

Target Students

Only available for International Media & Communication Studies students, Film and Television Studies students, History of Arts students, Liberal Arts students and Exchange students

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
• One 1-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

Assessment

• 100% Coursework: 3,000 words portfolio of written work and equivalent

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
To develop an understanding of the emergence of experimental filmmaking in early 20th century Europe
 

 To develop an understanding of what is meant by the term avant-garde and its relationship to mainstream cultural practices
 

 To gain an understanding of the relationships between film and other media 
 

To become familiar with key films and filmmakers and the relationships between them, both within and between different national contexts
 

Intellectual Skills
To be able to carry out close analysis of film using appropriate specialist language

 To be able to situate and analyse films within the historical and cultural context of their production
 

 To think critically about the notion of film as a visual and political art form 
 

Professional and practical skills
To plan, carry out, and present independent research through a range of assessment activities
 

 To develop a well-structured and convincing argument using a varied range of primary and secondary sources 
 

To work collaboratively with peers and contribute fully to class activities
 

 To seek and make constructive use of feedback to further progress and development 
 

Transferable (key) skills
To take responsibility for one’s own learning and that of others
 

 To develop effective and engaging communication skills in spoken and written form
 

 To develop IT skills for research and presentation

Conveners

• Dr Lara Pucci