ENGL 3036 - Classic Film Comedy

Institution:

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Subject:

Description:

Beginning with UNCLE JOSH AT THE MOVING PICTURE SHOW and concluding with Woody Allen's HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, this class examines the origins of comic cinema, film comedy's efforts to legitimize itself as a form of entertainment, the consequences of these efforts on the form of film comedy itself, and film comedy's broader relevance to an understanding of the cultural, social, and political history of the twentieth century. We will view and discuss films acclaimed (or, occasionally, not so highly acclaimed) in their own time and try to determine, among other things, how the passage of time and changes in perspective and tastes have affected the messages and reputations of these movies. To some degree, this will be a telescoped course on film history as well, as we experience films from the silent to the modern era and contemplate the consequences of such moments in movie history as the arrival of the star system, the impact of the studio system, and the modern era of the independent film and the blockbuster movie. Occasional writing assignments (3-4 papers of 3-4 pages each) based on specific films and topics, individual projects based on some comic film not viewed in class (to be assigned), comprehensive final examination.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.uc.edu

Phone Number:

(513) 556-6000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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