ITAL20210 Italian Cinema 1940s-1960s

Academic Year 2019/2020

This course will provide an overview of Italian cinema from the celebrated times of Neorealism (before and after World War 2) to the 1960s. After a brief introduction that will highlight modes of production/distribution of culture during the time of Fascism, including topics of censorship and propaganda, we will explore some masterpieces by Italian directors that made Italian cinema famous all over the world. We will watch films and short clips by Rossellini, Visconti and De Sica that will enable comparison of several styles of narrative and film-making. Moving beyond the patterns and ideological commitment of Neorealism, we will explore the innovative and experimental style of unconventional auteurs, such as Fellini, Pasolini and Antonioni, whose films had a remarkable impact worldwide. The module contact time includes attendance at four two-hour screening scheduled on Thursday evening during week 2, 4, 7 and 9 of the teaching term. Attendance to screening is in addition to a weekly one-hour lecture and a weekly one-hour seminar.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of key features of Italian cinema from Neorealism to the 1960s.
2. Discuss and describe how Italian cinema contributed, both stylistically and ideologically, to the cultural and political discourse in Italy and elsewhere.
3. Compare and contrast several filmic objects with attention to the use of specific narrative and stylistic techniques.
4. Write an essay that shows an understanding of key notions and topics discussed during the course, making appropriate use of secondary sources.

Indicative Module Content:

This list of topics is a general guide and is subject to change.

1. Introduction to film analysis
2. Italian Cinema from the Silent Era to the Fascist Time
3. Introduction to Neorealism in Italian Culture
4. Neorealism, Roberto Rossellini and his War Trilogy
5. Neorealism, Vittorio De Sica and non-professional acting: "Bicycle Thieves"
6. Introduction to Federico Fellini and his films
7. Federico Fellini's "La Strada" as a bridge between Neorealism and Mythical Realism
8. Pier Paolo Pasolini and Cinema of Poetry
9. Pier Paolo Pasolini and the legacy of Neorealism in "Mamma Roma"
10. Michelangelo Antonioni and the “Trilogy of Alienation”

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Tutorial

12

Practical

8

Specified Learning Activities

38

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Every week there will be a one-hour front-lecture delivered by the module coordinator and a one-hour tutorial during which students will be asked to complete task-based and problem-based activities, individually or in groups. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 1,500-word essay Week 7 n/a Graded No

40

Examination: 2 essay-type questions 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on essays will be organized in week 12. Each student will be given a time-slot to view and discuss their lecturer's feedback.