Module: FSS5100-20 Director’s Cut Auteur Cinema

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr. Jamie Steele

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.steele@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module explores the concept of the director as ‘auteur’, a term derived from the French word for ‘author’. We will consider the socio-historical roots of the term, which gained great currency in film journalism and scholarship, and retains much currency despite being subject to critical and theoretical attack. The module will examine the validity and currency of the concept of auteurism by studying the films of one director in depth and detail.

2.Outline syllabus:

The module will consider the origins and subsequent development of auteur theory, its strengths and critical / theoretical limitations; tensions between the notion of director as ‘artist’ and the contextual constrains of working in an industry will be explored in relation to contexts of production / distribution / exhibition; the films of a case-study director will be considered in relation to thematic, stylistic and biographical tropes; films will also be situated in relation to wider contextual issues - generic, socio-cultural, institutional, national and transnational environments.

3.Teaching and learning activities:

• Lectures will introduce key themes, theories, debates

• Seminars will be used to discuss ideas introduced in the lecture / set reading

• Screenings and class discussion / analysis of films

• Tutorial support

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Research Project’ (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 50%