107-440 Hitchcock, Film and Art

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in cinema studies.

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest directors of the 20th century. Recently a number of international exhibitions have documented the receptiveness of Hitchcock's films to the literary and visual arts of his time - from Pre-Raphaelite and Symbolist paintings to the writings of Edgar Allen Poe, German expressionism, surrealism and modernism. Hitchcock's films have been influenced by artists such as Sickert, Klee, Magritte, de Chirico and Dali and have also exerted a powerful influence on contemporary artists and filmmakers such as Stan Douglas, Cindy Sherman and Chris Marker. This subject seeks to establish his place in art history as well as the film canon and to contextualise the Hitchcockian oeuvre both historically and aesthetically. It also asks the question - what are the factors which have contributed to Hitchcock's extraordinary genius and phenomenal popularity?

• be skilled in research;

• possess advanced skills of critical thinking and analysis;

• possess an ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly, economically and effectively;

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

A single 5000 word essay or two shorter essays of 2500 words each 90% (due after the examination period in June) and a seminar presentation 10% (due during the semester).

A subject reader will be available.