MEVIT4528 ¨C Alternative film

Course content

"Alternative Film" addresses how the film medium can provide alternative historical, aesthetic, analytical and theoretical expressions. The course focuses on various alternatives to the culturally and financially dominant model of Hollywood cinema, and to the characteristics of this model in terms of film style and narrative. "Alternative film" invites analysis and theoretical discussions on larger aesthetic movements and trends, as well as focused studies on specific films and audiovisual images. The course illustrates the historical conditions that form the basis of various cinematic orientations, and explores how film has always in various ways tested the limits and characteristics of the medium.

The course offers knowledge to students who want to work with film in academic and/or other professional contexts, such as in film production, cultural work or in various journalistic contexts. Prior basic knowledge of film history, film/media theory, and academic writing is recommended.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has an understanding of dominant norms and traditions for how films are produced and how films evoke particular audience experiences
• is familiar with historical manifestations of cinematic productions that provide alternatives to mainstream cinema, as associated with Hollywood film productions
• has an advanced understanding of theoretical perspectives and concepts relevant to discussions and analysis of alternative film

Skills

The candidate:

• can analytically reflect on dominant cinematic conventions and traditions, and how the film medium can challenge these conventions and traditions in different ways
• can analytically reflect on how a film, or other audiovisual production, positions itself in relation to earlier norms and standards for cinematic productions

General competence

The candidate:

• can write an academic film analysis
• can partake in reflections and discussions on the qualities and characteristics of specific films

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with MEVIT3528 ¨C Alternative film.
• 10 credits overlap with MEVIT3526 ¨C Alternativ film (discontinued).

Teaching

Fall 2020: Digital teaching takes place throughout the semester organized as workshops comprising lectures, film screenings, and student activities. In addition, students will receive supervision on their term paper.

Mandatory activity

A proposal for the term paper should be approved by the course teacher.

Approved obligatory activities are only valid the semester you attend the course

Examination

Term paper. The paper should be 10 standard pages (+/- 10%), front page and bibliography not included.

Tidligere eksamensoppgaver og sensorveiledninger

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.