The course aims to provide a survey of American cinema in all its major aspects. It begins with an analysis of the rise of Hollywood as an industrial and cultural institution and the establishment, development and more recent transformations of its classical narrative and visual style. The second half of the course looks at more independent American filmmaking and its relations with the Hollywood "machine". The course then also briefly attempts to explore the relation between American and European cinema, looking at both differences and interaction between them.

Completing this course will provide students with the ability to: 1. Distinguish the major features of Hollywood cinema; 2. Appraise the differences between Hollywood cinema and independent American filmaking; 3. Discuss the relation between American and European cinemas; 4. Critically reflect on cinematic style.

A 2,000 word essay (40%) (outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

A 750 word close analysis (15%) (outcomes 1, 4, 5)

A two-hour end-of-semester exam (45%) (outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5).

A one 1-hour lecture, a one 1-hour tutorial/seminar and a screening per week. Students will also be expected to spend 5 hours per week on reviewing films and doing reading of supporting material.

Students taking the course as part of a Film and New Media major should have completed FILM1002. Students taking it as an elective must already have 12 credit points at first year level.

Maltby, Richard, Hollywood Cinema, Blackwell, Oxford, 2003