AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES MOD. 1

The course is part of the Master’s Degree programs in European, American and Postcolonial Language and Literature and in Language Sciences and aims at providing students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of contemporary US cinematic culture. Students will improve their skills in analyzing films and in relating them to their historical and cultural contexts. The analytical skills students have learnt during the BA course will be further verified and developed, to include more specialized knowledge of critical theory. In addition, they will broaden their experience in working autonomously and in presenting the results of their own research.
This course is in line with the educational goals of the Department of Excellence.

The learning outcomes of the course are 1. development of knowledge and understanding of the key works by American cinematic auteurs; 2. the skill to apply this knowledge and understanding to other works; 3. the development of advanced communication skills in English; 4. autonomous formulation of judgements in analyzing primary and secondary texts; 5. ability to work synergically with other students.

Advanced knowledge of oral and written English (≥ C1).

The course will examine a number of cinematic representations of migratory experience in films by American auteurs.

* In order to attend classes: https://moodle.unive.it/course/view.php?id=6160

Selection of films and clips (1910-1940)
Elia Kazan, America, America (1963)
Jonas Mekas, Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania (1972)
Joan Micklin Silver, Hester Street (1975)
Gregory Nava, El Norte (1983)
Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino (2008)
James Gray, The Immigrant (2013)

Critical readings available on the course's moodle.

1. Short paper (3000 words max) in which students are required to show their skills in analyzing the material in the syllabus in a critical and autonomous way. To be handed in at least one week before the exam (60% of the final grade)
2. Oral exam (30 minutes max.) in which students will be evaluated in their ability to analyze and contextualize the assigned material in a critical and autonomous way. The level of English and communication skills will also be evaluated. (40% of the final grade)

Lectures, seminars, screenings and class discussion

English

Students are invited to attend the lectures and conferences organized by the American studies section.

written and oral