The identities of European national cinemas, like the identities of European nations themselves, have always been complex, interrelated and effervescent, never more so than today when filmmakers join artists, scholars and political leaders in the debate over whether these individual entities add up to something distinctly "European." Over the course of the semester we will watch and discuss ten main films to explore what "European" cinema might be, if indeed such a thing can be said to exist, and/or what the relationship of this hypothetical institution to European history and identity in a larger sense might be. In addition, we will approach the films as works worthy in themselves of attention. Offering a general history and survey of European cinema production, distribution and exhibition along with detailed critical analysis of specific films and directors, this course is intended to give students new tools for thinking critically about Europe identity and cinema. Europe’s rich and distinctive film tradition provides an opportunity to examine issues of contemporary Europe and its individual nations. This course examines the sources, complexities and resonances of a number of European films and the ways in which they refer, directly or obliquely, to historical, social and political issues around the concept of Europe. All films shown are subtitled.
In addition to recorded lectures, weekly seminars provide students with opportunities to work together in order to refine and extend knowledge via group discussion. Regular and varied assessments encourage and reward active engagement with course content (films, lectures, seminars and readings), with teaching staff and each other, to develop a broad range of transferable skills: written and oral competency; working individually and collaboratively, in small groups; providing and receiving constructive feedback; meeting deadlines, as well as research and analysis. All students will have opportunities to peer review Stage 3 oral presentations.