Forms and genres in film (15cr)

Objectives

To develop students understanding of the centrality of a variety of genres to film, distribution and consumption. To develop a critical understanding of genre as a categorizing methodology within film studies. To develop a systematic understanding of genre and its relationship to audience expectation and reception of film material. To develop an understanding of the specificity of the film medium to the creation of genre products through a case study of the horror genres manifestation in film.
By the end of this module students will understand how to apply theories of genre to the evaluation and analysis of film products, have the critical understanding to identify and categorize film according to generic boundaries, understand the centrality of genre to the production, distribution and exhibition of products, be able to apply theories of genre to film from a variety of national contexts, understand how genre informs audience expectations of a film text and to utilise that knowledge to critically evaluate contemporary products, identify and critically understand film that may blur generic boundaries or be considered generic hybrids and undertake close detailed analysis of films in relation to theories of genre.

Content

This module will focus on the development of genre theory in relation to film. It will consider the centrality of the approach to the widening of the scope of film studies in the late 1960s to incorporate the industrial context of production and the consumption of film. Through a case study of ‘horror’ the module will look at specific examples from film in order to assist students understanding of the shifting definitions in play within genre theory. Finally the module will address a number of contemporary film texts that blur the once quite distinct boundaries between genres creating generic hybrids.
Lecture / presentations will introduce theories, concepts and methodologies relating to genre which will be further developed and discussed through examples from film within the seminars and workshops that follow.