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This class is designed to provide students in all majors with an introduction to international fictional film as a form of narrative that uses the image rather than the printed word as its primary medium of communication. In order to consider the narrative possibilities of film as opposed to other forms of literature, such as the short story or the novel, we will examine the language and techniques of the film form that shape our understanding of the film’s content. By the end of the course, students should be able to: 

-          analyze a film critically, as Bazin says above, with an understanding of what a film says and how it says it 

-          recognize and use film language, including terms that refer to camera movement and distance, editing techniques, lighting, sound, and narrative 

-          use the language of film to communicate that understanding in writing, and in class discussions, and in group presentations 

-          evaluate film form and function in the manner of a literary text 

-          understand the application of historic Austrian and European themes to our contemporary life  

This summer, we will focus on Austrian films with a concentration on the recent artistic and popular resurgence of Austrian film.  We will connect the films we will be studying to the culture and history of Austria.  The various cinematic and narrative manifestations of this connection will inform our study and discussions. The films that I assign this semester will also comment and reflect upon this narrative theme.  

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to International film (focusing on Austrian film and Directors) as a form of narrative “text” that incorporates the cinematic techniques of image and sound in contrast to the purely literary techniques of the printed word.  We will consider the narrative possibilities of film by examining the language and techniques of films that shape our understanding of them as “texts.”  We will be specifically examining Austrian films as “texts” that reflect the culture and history of Austria.   

The class will view approximately 7 films, including the two Oscar winning films The Counterfeiters by Stefan Ruzowitzky, and Amour by Michael Haneke, as well as the award-winning film Revenge by Götz Spielmann and popular Austrian favorites such as Poppitz. Students will be expected to attend each film screening during regular class times, complete quizzes and write short screening reports on the films, compose a four-page analysis essay, and take two exams.  Participation and attendance are critical to the success of this class, and will be used to help determine the final grade. 

The University of New Orleans International Summer School program has a mandatory class attendance policy. All students are required to attend class for all morning classes and any required afternoon and/or weekend fields trips and lectures. No unexcused absences are allowed. However, LFU students who have to miss a UNO class due to LFU examinations in the first two weeks of our program, can receive one excused absence for this. Any further unexcused absences will result in an academic penalty. Each faculty member determines the penalty for missed classes. Most professors deduct a letter grade for each additional missed class day. For details, please refer to your course syllabi, which will be distributed on the first day of class. The listed ECTS credits are a recommendation by the University of New Orleans Innsbruck Summer School, based on contact hours, anticipated out-of-classroom requirements such as field trips, and projected workload for readings, assignments, and exam preparation. Mail: Center-New-Orleans@uibk.ac.at