German 370/Comparative Literature 396

Instructor: Sabine Wilke (wilke@)

Mo/Tue 12.30-1.30, Smith 211

Thu 12.30-1.30 Denny 216 or Denny 212

Film Screenings: Monday 1.30-3.30, Smith 211

Office: Denny 339

Office Hours: Tue/Th 9.30-10.30, Fr 12.30-1.30

This course is designed as an introduction to the history of German cinema from its beginnings to the postwar era. Situating the films in the context of Weimar culture and politics and postwar culture and politics in East and West Germany respectively, the course will analyze the complex relationships between the cultural and socioeconomic status of cinema and the modes of representation as they surface in particular genres, themes, and visual styles. The works to be considered include films by prominent directors such as Lang, Murnau, Sternberg, Riefenstahl, Fassbinder, Kluge, Trotta, and Wenders, as well as examples from avant-garde and documentary film practice. The course pac includes readings and supplementary materials regarding the history of German film and its social context.

Students will view one film each week during specifically designated times, fill out evaluation forms for each film (please print from web site), work on the analysis of individual scenes (please print from web site), and write short protocols (1 to 2 pages) detailing their critical responses to the films in which they outline two or three important points for group discussion. All films will also be available on video for individual viewing in the Media Center of Odegaard Library (please reserve your space early; they only have two viewing rooms to accommodate students). Some films may be available at local video rental stores such as Scarecrow on Roosevelt for those who prefer to study the films at home. The weekly viewing session is mandatory and may not be replaced by individual viewing. The videos available in Odegaard are for additional in-depth study and analysis of the individual films. Monday is reserved for lectures on background and technique. On Tuesday we will work on scene analyses and at the beginning of the Thursday class meeting we will break into small discussion groups, listen to a few samples of student protocols and develop more in-depth readings together as a group. Students will collect a dossier with their protocols to be submitted for a grade at midterm and at the end of the course. The course grade will be based on protocols (50%) and class participation (50%).