Introduction to German Film History and Theory in Context

Catalog description

Introduces films in German since the 1960s and addresses issues relevant to German and European cultures and politics. GER 489 Introduction to German Film History and Theory in Context (3) This course focuses on German cinema's development since the 1960s. The course situates the 'Young' and then 'New German Cinema' within contemporaneous European and U.S. film cultures. Thus the course will address the difference between the European cinematic culture of 'auteurs' versus the school of 'genres' in the U.S.The preceding traditions of Italian Neo-realism and of the Frenchnouvelle vagueare also engaged alongside a few Hungarian, Czech and/or Polish films. The students will have the opportunity to consider how these other national cinematic productions impacted the German filmmakers who were involved in the creation of a national German cinema that would critically engage Hollywood on the one hand, and distance itself from the Nazi past on the other.The course will be structured around questions about the grounds for a national cinema and its cultural and critical relevance both at the time these films were produced and today. Yet, the national question will not be the only focus of this class, in the course of which students will be able to discuss the historical, political and ethical questions raised by the directors selected. In addition, students in this course will learn about the specificity of cinematic language and will be exposed to some film theory. In conclusion, the course provides upper level undergraduate students with a basic knowledge of the most important New German films, with a confrontation with issues specifically relevant to a study of German culture, and with some familiarity with film theory.The evaluation methods for this course will be based on 1) participation [attendance; reports/worksheets, after each film and in class discussion]: 30%; 2) presentation 20%; 3) take-home mid term essay 20%; and 4) final paper 30%. The course is part of the German Program, in particular of the German Studies curriculum. It teaches students of German culture about German and European contemporary cinema, while situating the cinema within broader historical-political debates concerning Europe. It functions as an excellent complementary course to our GER LIT classes at the 400 level and offers an additional choice to pursue cultural studies to those who are more reticent about reading texts. Enrollment: 25. The course will be offered every other year.