107-431 Postmodernism and the Cinema

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in cinema studies, see Honours entry.

This subject will explore the relevance of postmodern theory for the cinema, in particular the problem of defining the postmodern. Students will discuss postmodernism's heterogeneity and intertextuality; cinematic pastiche and parody; the critique of the master discourses as they effect film narrative; the relationship between the avant-garde in film and postmodernism; issues of film spectatorship, gender and race; the traditional advocacy of classic art over popular culture. The subject will explore the writings (in relation to postmodernism and film) of Jean Baudrillard, Umberto Eco, Fredric Jameson, Linda Hutcheon, Vivian Sobchack and Kobena Mercer. On conclusion of the subject students should understand the meaning of 'postmodernism' and the reasons why the concept is difficult to define and the relevance of postmodernism for an analysis of the cinema in relation to form, style and content.

Written work which may comprise class papers, essays or take-home examinations totalling 5000 words.

A subject reader will be available.

• P Brooker & W Brooker (eds), Postmodern After-Images. Arnold, 1997.