Critical Studies: Science Fiction Film

Catalog description

Critical Studies: This course offers a critical exploration of science fiction film. Science fiction is a powerful tool for exploring our hopes, anxieties, and dreams about technology, society and futurity. Together we will explore how filmmakers have used the science fiction film genre to explore both the timeless human condition and the complex issues of their time. In addition to studying the films themselves, we will consider the various cultural, social, political, and technological contexts in which they were created as well as how the films have themselves influenced society and culture. While we will view a number of commercially successful films,we will also view films that center underrepresented stories and voices. Throughout the course, we will watch and think through a variety of science fiction films, from international and independent productions like ""Vesper"", ""Neptune Frost"" and ""Born in Flames"" to blockbuster and studio productions like "Nope," "Snowpiercer" and "Children of Men". Through weekly readings, film screenings, and class discussions, students will analyze film as a creative medium of visual storytelling, social commentary and imagination. Assignments include personal written responses to the films and readings and a semester long small group or individual creative audio-visual research project. This course is designed to assist in the development of your abilities in storytelling, audio-visual literacy, media analysis, creative research and critical thinking through the medium of Science Fiction Cinema. You will be asked to consider the representation of gender, race, class, sexuality, history, empire, nation, and more in every film we watch. We will also explore ideas and theories from cinema studies. While Science Fiction Film offers a necessarily (very) incomplete view, it does reflect the perspectives and aspirations of its many…