111-469 Art and Film Criticism: History, Theory and Practice

Credit Points

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject will examine the history, theory and practice of art and film criticism. The role of the critic in mediating art and film will be explored in an examination of historical practices (art criticism of the 19th century, film criticism of the early 20th century) and theoretical models (hermeneutics, psychoanalysis, intentionality, social history, deconstruction). A variety of reading positions will be considered: genre theory, psychoanalysis, the fan, feminism, queer theory, auteurism, humanism, new-conservatism, newspaper reviews. Students will be encouraged to produce film and art reviews and/or criticism as part of their assessment.

Assessment

Written work which may comprise class papers, essays, exhibition and film reviews or criticism, or take-home examinations totalling about 6000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• David Bordwell, Making Meaning, Inference and Rhetoric in the Interpretation of Cinema. Harvard University Press, Cambridge Mass., 1989.
• Joanne Hollows and Mark Jancovich (eds), Approaches to Popular Film. Manchester University Press, Manchester 1995.
• David Carrier, Artwriting. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, 19878.