This module offers students the opportunity to study postcolonial film from different historical and national contexts and via a range of geopolitical and technological shifts. It will explore the changing relationship between colonialism and film through the course of the twentieth century and beyond. The module will begin by interrogating cinemas of and as Empire with an emphasis upon Anglo-American history, its ‘imperial gaze’ and neo-colonial Hollywood. It will then move on to explore various case studies of colonial, de-colonial or anti-colonial film (for example, Indian cinema or Palestinian film) and to consider key related themes such as questions of diaspora (via Accented cinema) and of the digital (via online activism).
Summary of Aims: This module explores the impact of colonialism upon national cinemas and filmmaking practices in broad terms and through detailed examples. It aims to provide a solid understanding of this well-established but still unfolding field whilst furthering students’ analytical and critical skills, allowing them to enter confidently into its debates.
Anticipated Learning Outcomes: By the end of the semester you will be able to:
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the impact of colonialism on national cinemas and filmmaking practices.
• Critically contextualise the relationship between Empire and Cinema via historical, geopolitical, technological and aesthetic concerns.
• Articulate (in verbal and written form) a critically engaged understanding of the ways in which film has reflected, reinforced, resisted or rescripted ‘Imperial’ (orientalist/racist/colonial) processes and legacies.
• Demonstrate an ability to offer nuanced and detailed analyses of film texts that enter, confidently, into postcolonial debates.
All teaching – lecture, screening and seminar – takes place in room A1.27 from 12.00-16/16.30 on Wednesdays. The one timetabled screening per week is to be supplemented by a required viewing done on the student’s own time. As well as preparing for class each week by doing the readings assigned, and trying to watch the additional films recommended, students may be asked occasionally to do some web-based informal research or ‘tasks’ for relevant sessions. All seminars (week 2-10) will include an unassessed student presentation – on the week’s topic, determined in consultation with the module leader – which will form the basis of the presenters’ first assignment, the review essay. The requirements for this will be discussed further in class.
Please come to seminars prepared = having read and annotated assigned texts identifying any areas or ideas that were hard to follow or particularly interesting, and formulating questions in response to them and the viewings you have done, which will allow you to contribute fully to seminar discussion.
ASSESSMENT:
One 1,000 word Review Essay – 20% Deadline: Monday 6th April 2020
Building upon the unassessed presentation, this essay will critically evaluate the de-, post-, or anti-colonial concerns of one case study. Guidance on this provided in week 1
One 4,000 word Essay – 80% Deadline: Tuesday 5th May 2020