Cinema of the Fantastic
	Chris Robinson

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Presentation
In this course students will screen films and read appropriate excerpts from critics, philosophers, and psychologists on the cinema of the fantastic. Especial attention will be give to the question of violence. Students will be strongly encouraged to participate in a field trip to the annual festival of cinéma fantastique in Gérardmer, which is held around the first weekend of February.

Teaching Objectives
1. To practice English communication skills in an international setting. 2. To introduce students to the seminar approach used in leading American universities. 3. To introduce some of the central artistic, ethical, psychological, and political questions raised by violence in cinema.

Format:
One weekly of 3 hours during 7 weeks.

Course Content
The central topic of this course, violence in the cinema of the fantastic, will be approached from various intellectual perspectives. A number of English-language films will be presented for support, illustration, and discussion.

Teaching Methods
This course will be taught in the manner of an American university seminar on film studies, which means that participants must not only view assigned films and read assigned texts before coming to class, but must also be prepared to present and discuss these materials with other participants on an equal footing. For those who are able to participate, a pedagogical project will be organized around the festival in Gérardmer, where students will have the opportunity to practice their English communication skills in an international setting as they meet with critics, directors, film casts and crews from around the world.

Individual Work
Class preparation and participation are mandatory. Each week one or two students will be responsible for presenting a weekly assignment. In addition, students individually or in small groups of 2 or 3 will undertake a research project of their own design, preferably connected in some way with the festival in Gérardmer (e.g., interview with a cast and crew). The research project will include a 10-15 page type-written report and a brief presentation in class.

Evaluation
Final grades will be based on class participation and writing assignments.

Recommended level:
This course is designed for students of all levels.

See other courses taught by Chris Robinson

last updated May, 2003

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