European Cinema: A reflection of European Identity

Course Description

Course: European Cinema: A Reflection on European Identity
Course number: CH3101
Prerequisites: None

Description
Europe at the end of the 20th century is marked by a tension between two opposing
movements: unification and fragmentation. The creation of the European Union in 1992
was accompanied by the ?Balkanization? of East-Central Europe, which resulted from
the collapse of the Soviet Union and the resurgence of old national and ethnic
antagonisms that had been suppressed during the Cold War. At the same time,
national boundaries were also being redrawn by capitalism, which forged an
increasingly complex network of global connections in finance, trade, manufacturing,
transport, and communications.
Throughout these major changes redefining the role and even the composition of
Europe in the 21st century, cinema remains a significant force in the construction and
expression of cultural identity. Cinema powerfully portrays its nation and provides
profound insights into the heart of its people.
This course on European Cinema, with a broad geographic sweep, offers students an
understanding of European culture, society, politics and history through the medium of
cinematographic expressions. The aim of this course is to understand European
identity through its cinema and make the students aware that despite its economic
unity, Europe is characterized by its cultural, social, political and historical
heterogeneity.

Learning objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
-Analyze various issues and trends in contemporary Europe
-Debate ideas and concepts of Europe and European integration
-Understand the historical development and diversity of European culture, society
and politics through the medium of cinema
-Synthesize information from a variety of sources, including written sources,
documentaries and film.

Educational activities will be developed by means of different didactic strategies:
-Theory and Practice
-Collective and individual tutoring
-In-class presentations
-Daily assignments
-Team work assignments
-Workshops and additional training
-Extra-curricular activities

Contact Hours: 45

Methodology
The course syllabus follows the Communicative Approach methods, based on the core
principles of procedure conception and constructive acquisition of knowledge. The
methodology is based on the teaching-learning procedures, focused on the learner,
which encourages active participation and results in the development of general and
specific competencies that provide knowledge, capacities and attitudes for their future
professional careers.

Form of Assessment
The form of assessment is based on the core principles of the educational
assessment, i.e., an active and participative teaching-learning process focused on the
learner. The instructor uses numerous and differentiated forms of assessment to
calculate the final grade received for this course. For the record, these are listed
below. The content, criteria and specific requirements for each assessment category
will be explained in greater detail in class.

The final grade consists of three parts: class participation, daily work and exam
o 33% Active in-class participation
o 33% daily work
o 34% exam

Grading Scale goes from 0 to 10.

Numerical Grade Range Letter grade Percentage
Range

10 A+ 100%
9.5 ? 9.9 A 95 -99%
9 ? 9.4 A- 90-94%
8.5 ? 8.9 B+ 85-89%
7.5- 8.4 B 75-84%
7 ? 7.4 B- 70-74%
6.5 ? 6.9 C+ 65-69%
6 ? 6.4 C 60-64%
5 ? 5.9 C- 5-59%
0-4.9 F 0-49%

The final grade will be the average of active in-class participation, daily work and exam.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is compulsory. In order to excuse any absence, students have to deliver a
doctor?s note or other valid justification.
An absence is equivalent to a session. Two late arrivals of more than 15 minutes will be
considered an absence.
Any unjustified absence will negatively affect the students? final grade by lowering
his/her participation grade.

The participation grade will be lowered as follows:
NÚMBER OF ABSENCES PARTICIPATION
3 unjustified absences - 30%
4 unjustified absences - 40%
5 unjustified absences - 50%

If a student has more than 5 unjustified absences, the PARTICIPATION GRADE will be
zero (0).

Any student with 7 or more absences will NOT pass the course. Those students whose
absences have been properly justified will get No presentado (N.P). Absences do NOT
excuse the fulfillment of tasks, papers or essays.

Active Participation

The methodology used in class demands from the student a daily participation
regarding the following:
-Debates about different topics;
-Questions posed in class;
-Opinions and comments;
-Documents and texts.

Criteria to evaluate participation Grade

The student very often contributes with important and original comments that
encourage debate, using critical and analytical arguments clearly based on reading,
investigation, daily work, and class work. 8.5 -10

The student frequently participates voluntarily and makes valuable contributions that
are generally based on reflection and daily work. 7- 8.4

The student makes eventual comments, practically only when asked, and shows no
clear interest in the course. The student does not start a debate nor shows a clear
understanding of the importance of class/homework and readings. 5- 6.9

The student makes no comments at all, or makes irrelevant or distracting ones during
class. This is usually a result from frequent absences or lack of preparation for the
class. 0- 4.9

Readings:

Required readings will be provided by the teacher.

General Reference:
- Ezra, Elizabeth (ed.), (2004), European Cinema, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Forbes, Jill (2000), European Cinema; An Introduction, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Nowell-Smith, Geoffrey (ed.), (1996), The Oxford History of World Cinema, Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
- Sorlin, Pierre (1991), European Cinema/European Societies, London: Routledge.
Online Reference & Research Tools:
http://www.imdb.com;
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SESSIONS TOPIC SCREENINGS ASSIGNMENTS

Week 1:
Introduction

Week 2:
European Cinema
? European Cinema: an Introduction
? German Cinema: an Introduction

Week 3:
German Cinema
? The avatars of the GDR´s regime
? The Stasi
The Lives of Others (2006),
Florian Henckel von
Donnersmarck

Week 4:
German Cinema
? The Fall of the Berlin wall Goodbye Lenin! (2003),
Wolfgang Becker
The Edukators (2004),
Hans Weingartner

Week 5:
British Cinema
? British Cinema: an Introduction
? East vs. West culture and traditions
? Racism and integration
East is East (1999), Damien
O´Donnell

Week 6:
British Cinema
? Unemployment
? Working class
The Angel´s Share (2012),
Ken Loach

Week 7:
French Cinema
? French Cinema: an Introduction This is England (2006),
Shane Meadows
6

Week 8:
French Cinema
? Ethnic minorities, integration
? Crime, youth
La Haine (1995), Matthieu
Kassovitz

Week 9:
French Cinema
? European integration
? Youth, friendship
L´auberge espagnole (2002),
Cédric Klapisch
The Class (2008), Laurent
Cantet

Week 10:
Italian Cinema
? Italian Cinema: an Introduction

Week 11:
Italian Cinema
? Neapolitan mob
? Political corruption
? The South
Gomorrah (2008), Matteo
Garrone

Week 12:
Italian Cinema
? Politics
? Mafia
Il Divo (2008), Paolo
Sorrentino
Welcome to the South
(2010), Luca Miniero

Week 13:
Spanish Cinema
? Spanish Cinema: an Introduction
? Unemployment
Los lunes al sol (2001),
Fernando León de Aranoa

Week 14:
Spanish Cinema
? Matriarchy
? Sexual abuse
Volver (2006), Pedro
Almodóvar

Week 15:
Spanish Cinema
FINAL EXAM