Overview

Examination of the film criticism of some of the following: Pauline Kael, Andrew Sarris, James Agee, Andre Bazin, Manny Farber, James Baldwin, Andrew Britton, Robin Wood, V.F. Perkins, Paul Schrader, Francois Truffaut, Sergei Eisenstein, Jean-Luc Godard, Philip French, David Thomson, Richard Corliss, Jonathan Rosenbaum, J Hoberman, AO Scott, Manohla Dargis, Susan Sontag, Girish Shambu, Robert Warshow.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold (D- to D+)Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:-Generally accurate but with omissions and errors-Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning-Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions-Draws on a relatively narrow range of material -good -Very Good (B- to B+)Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:-Very good structure and logically developed arguments-Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student-Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning-Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style -excellent -Excellent (A- to A*)Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways:-Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent-Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study-Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions -another level-Good (C- to C+)Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:-Good structure and logically developed arguments-At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student-Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and reasoning-Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style

Learning Outcomes

• You will be able to adapt your writing/presentational style to specific requirements and for particular audiences.

• You will be able to appraise the differences in tone, register and intention of Film Criticism written for different audiences.

• You will be able to conduct close textual analysis of films in relation to specific critical approaches and perspectives.

• You will be able to evaluate the history and development of Film Criticism.

• You will be able to interrogate and evaluate pieces of Film Criticism, both orally and in writing.