107-081 Genre Study

Bachelor of Creative Arts students may credit this subject to a Media Arts and Visual Media major at second or third year.

Usually 12.5 points of first-year cinema studies.

This subject is a close study of two genres: the western and the horror film. Students should gain an understanding of some of the following areas: the historical development of genre criticism; evolution theories of generic stages; generic crossovers; the influence of Hollywood genres outside the USA; the relationship between filmic reality and social reality. The western will be studied through its various stages of development, including the 'classical' western, the revisionist western, and the spaghetti western. The horror film component will focus on horror in the wake of Hitchcock's Psycho and The Birds, looking specifically at the stalker, splatter and apocalyptic horror tradition. Issues to be discussed will include horror and the family institution, horror as cultural ritual, self-reflexivity and genre, and horror as a form of game play.

• be able to develop critical thinking;

• develop their research and writing skills;

• be able to account for the relationship between the film industry and film form;

• have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

A class paper of 1500 40% (due during the semester), an essay of 2500 words 50% (due at end of semester) and tutorial participation throughout semester 10%.