Overview
An examination of a topic or topics pertaining to contemporary American cinema - such as the romantic comedy, the science fiction film, documentary genres, new technologies in American cinema, global Hollywood.
The notion of the film director as author has long been a central theoretical and historical issue within cinema studies. Film authorship has been crucially important both to film studies and the film industry itself in the last several decades. This paper will study the ways authorship has been theorised; its impact on the New Hollywood cinema of the late 1960s to the present; and the work of a selection of contemporary American directors as authors. Students will leave the paper with a greater understanding of film history and the work of the film director. It is ideal for MFCO majors, humanities students, students who wish to work in any part of the film industry and any student interested in contemporary cinema.
About this paper
| Paper title | Contemporary American Cinema |
|---|---|
| Subject | Media, Film and Communication |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,040.70 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level MFCO or FIME points
- Restriction
- FIME 311
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Notes
- Students who have not passed the normal prerequisite may be admitted with approval from the Head of Department.
- Contact
- mfco@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
To be advised when paper next offered.
- Paper Structure
This paper covers the history of the New Hollywood, a study of film authorship and the examination of four major New Hollywood directors as authors.
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper is taught via lectures, screenings and tutorials.
- Textbooks
Readings will be available in the Course reader or on Blackboard.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of theories of authorship
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of contemporary American cinema
- Demonstrate critical thinking abilities
- Demonstrate skill at written communication of ideas
- Demonstrate ability to conduct and use independent research in writing about film
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Participation, 5%
- Reading Response One, 10%
- Reading Response Two, 10%
- Essay, 30%
- Final Examination, 45%