LA24 - University
of California, Berkeley (Spring 2008)
Prof Matt Kondolf, Film consultant and discussant: Nick Edwards
Format: Lecture,
film viewing, and seminar discussion.
Schedule: Class
meets seven Mondays 5-8pm in Wurster 315D + two screenings at the Pacific
Film Archives, (1 credit, P/NP) First class meeting is Monday 04
February (5pm Rm 315D Wurster Hall)
Tower of Babel from Metropolis (Lang 1927) |
Course Description:
The
development of filmmaking in the late 19th and early 20th centuries coincided
with a massive shift in population from rural to urban areas in North America
and Europe, and the urban experience has been a common theme in films from
the beginning of the medium. From the futuristic Metropolis (Lang
1927) and Bladerunner (Scott 1982) to Crash (Haggis 2004), the film has
been among the most important media through which society has wrestled
with the issues thrust upon it by concentrations of population and the
attendant infrastructure. How is the city portrayed in the various
films, and how have these depictions reflected contemporary concerns about
industrialization, environmental degradation, race relations, etc.?
This course involves viewing a selection of classic to recent films, selected
readings about the films and/or their subject matter and historical context,
and discussion.
Readings:
Selections from Cinematic Urbanism by Nezar AlSayyad, other readings to
be available on course webpage. Course requirements: viewing films,
readings, participating in discussion, and short (two-page) research paper
requiring use of the PFA library. Students enrolled in the class are admitted
free to the two PFA screenings.
Gopnik,
Adam. Paris to the Moon p. 3-18, 78-85
Davis,
Mike. City of Quartz p. 1-30
Reisner, Marc. Cadillac Desert
p. 52-103
White, E.B. Essays of E.B. White p. 118-133
Durgnat, Raymond. Bunuel, Luis. p. 60-68
Syllabus |