Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course will continue Theory, Art and Artistic Practices 1 and provide students with further tools for conceptualising cinematic representation from the perspectives of various essential theoretical approaches and makers’ theories. Students will be able to develop a critical reading of film representation. Students will be able to consider different theoretical frameworks for their MA thesis work. Students will also understand the impact of research and theory on the development of their field.
Credits: 4
Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 23.10.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Arturo Delgado Pereira, Susanna Helke, Marja-Riitta Koivumäki-Odd, Satu Kyösola
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Arturo Delgado Pereira, Susanna Helke
Contact information for the course (valid 17.08.2020-21.12.2112):
WEEK 43 Theory, Art & Artistic Practices
course schedule:
MON OCT 19
10AM -12AM Jyoti
Mistry: Rethinking Race, Gender and Sexuality in Film.
1PM-2:45 PM
Leonardo da Costa Custodio: WHAT CHANGES
CAN GRASSROOTS ACTIVIST FILMS MAKE? THE CASE OF “COMPLEXOS”
Tue OCT 20
9AM-9:45PM Course assignment info!!!!
10AM-12AM Danai
Anagnostou: Film Collectives
1PM-4PM Independent
work
Wed OCT 21
10-12 Camilla
Rosa: Process of Undoing in De-Colonialist
Practices
1PM-4PM Independent
work
Thursday OCT 22 No teaching (MA pitch)!
Friday OCT 23
10-12 &
1PM-3PM Presentation of the thesis ideas in 4 groups. The groups will be
decided on Monday.
Theory, Art and Artistic Practices 2 (ELO-E1025)
Department of Film, Television and Scenography
ELO, Aalto University
2020/2021
Dates: 7.09-23.10Time: 10:00-16:00 (See individual schedule below)
Course delivered online via Zoom. Link to sessions: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/64142704912
Responsible teachers: Prof. Susanna Helke/Prof. Arturo Delgado Pereira
Teaching Language: English
Credits: 4cr
Email: susanna.helke@aalto.fi / arturo.delgado@aalto.fi
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
In the course, MA students become familiar with the basics of makers’ theories, artistic research, and critical perspectives on different areas of film as well as their impact on the author's theoretical thinking and practical work. The course will also prepare students for the written part of the MA thesis.
Applies in this implementation:
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE
Theory, Art and Artistic Practice 2 consists of two weeks of teaching during 7.-11 of September 2020 (WEEK 37) and 19.-23 of October 2020 (WEEK 43) The course will focus on helping the students to gain an understanding of different approaches to and methodologies of practice-led research and research through artistic practices in order to support the students with the written part of their MA thesis.
Through lectures, discussions, screenings and assignments, students will become familiarized with critical perspectives related to the film medium as well as different elements of the MA thesis process. Guest lecturers/artists will present their research to students so they can learn about different research approaches as well as different stages of the research process.
The students will deepen their understanding of critical film theory. Contextualizing theory within art practice, recognizing research questions that stem from the students’ film practice, professional experience or artistic work is an essential element of the course.
This course is reading and writing intensive. Students will have to attend the lectures and complete the assignments in order to gain credits for this course. The two weeks of the course has to be taken in order to gain the credits.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will become familiar with makers´ theories, practice-led research methods and artistic research relevant to their field of study.
- Students will develop critical reading capacities of film representation and practice.
- Students will understand the impact of research and theory on the development of their field.
- Students will produce or develop an MA thesis proposal that will aid them in the written part of their MA thesis or deepen the theoretical context of their practice-led research. (week 2)
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Lectures, film screenings and discussions. Completion of the course requires active participation in class activities and completion of an essay assignment or oral presentation.
Applies in this implementation:
On Friday OCT 23 the students will be divided into 4 groups of about 5-6 students and they will present their thesis ideas briefly.
By Friday the 23rd: Prepare a concise one slide mind map (power point etc.),
with the essential elements:
the title,
sub-questions,
the potential literature,
the main aspects you need to write about (this would be the potential chapters) e.g. defining the main concepts, some contextualizing, introducing the ideas you refer to in literature etc., the method (do you interview other filmmakers or is it more a theoretical study, reflection on your own process, an analysis of existing films or a combination of some of these?).
Try to express only the essential info: what fits on one slide, makes sense. Bullet points!
Prepare to present this on Friday on the the 23rd of October.
This is still part of the process, so don’t sweat if you don’t know everything yet. Every time you think about the topic, it becomes clearer!
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Lectures: 27-54h
Independent study: 54-81h
Applies in this implementation:
SCHEDULE
Note the time: everyday starting at 10!
Link to sessions:
https://aalto.zoom.us/j/64142704912
Reading Materials available in MyCourses by Monday 7 Sept.
Monday 7 Sept
10-12. Prof. Susanna Helke. Why Theory: Artistic Research in Film as Critical Praxis.
13-15. Independent work. Assigned texts.
15-17. MA Seminar Kick Off. Link to the meeting: https://aalto.zoom.us/j/63031790678
Tuesday 8 Sept
10-12. Arturo Delgado: Performative Documentary Practice.
13-16. Independent work. Assigned texts.
Wednesday 9 Sept
10-12. Delgado & Helke: What Does Theory Has to Do with Practice: discussion session based on the reading material.
13-16. Students independent work. Assigned texts.
Thursday 10 Sept
10-12. Discussion session in group 1: Film as a Convention-What is a Story(⅓ of the students, groups formed on Monday)
13-15. Discussion session in group 2: Film as a Convention: Film Realism/s (⅓ of the students, groups formed on Monday)
Friday 11 Sept
10-12. Artist-researcher Pilvi Takala discusses her artistic research approach.
13-15. Discussion session in group 3: Documentary Film as a Convention.
(⅓ of the students, groups formed on Monday)
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
-
Applies in this implementation:
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Benjamin, Walter. "What is Epic Theater?" In Illuminations. Ed. Hannah Arendt. New York: Schocken, 1969.
Bordwell David. “Convention, Construction and Cinematic Vision”. In Poetics of Cinema. New York: Routledge, 2008.
Castaing-Taylor, Lucien. “Iconophobia.” Transition, no. 69. Bloomington: Indiana University Press (1996): 64-88.
Juhasz Alexandra & Alisa Lebow. “Beyond Story: An online, community manifesto.”
https://vols.worldrecordsjournal.org/02/03
MacKenzie Scott. Film Manifestos and Global Cinema Cultures. A Critical Anthology. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2014.
Molly Abel Travis. “Beyond Empathy: Narrative Distancing and Ethics in Toni Morrison's Beloved and J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace”. In Journal of Narrative Theory, Summer 2010, Vol. 40, No. 2 (Summer 2010), pp. 231-250. http://www.jstor.com/stable/41427229
Perec George. “Approaches to What?” in Species of Spaces and Other Pieces. Edited and translated by John Sturrock. London: Penguin Books, 1997.
Ruiz, Raul. “Central Conflict Theory”. In Poetics of Cinema. Translated by Brian Holmes. Paris: Éditions Dis Voir, 2015.
Wollen, Peter. ”Theory and Practice”. In Critical Cinema: Beyond the Theory of Practice. Edited by Clive Myer. New York: Whiteflower Press, 2011.
Substitutes for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
ELO-E1012 Theory, Art and Artistic Practices 2, 2-4 cr
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
-
Registration for Courses
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Kursseille ottamisen prioriteettijärjestys ARTSissa 1.1.2018
Applies in this implementation:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The final credits are determined by the students´ active participation in the course and successful completion of the course assignment.
Students must attend the first session of the course to secure their place of study.
Applies in this implementation:
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
SCHEDULE
Monday 7 SeptAM 10-12 !!! Note the time: everyday starting at 10!!!
Prof. Susanna Helke
Why Theory: Artistic Research in Film as Critical Praxis.
13-16: Independent work.
Tuesday 8 Sept
10-12 Arturo Delgado: Performative Documentary Practice.
13-16 Independent work. Assigned texts.
Wednesday 9 Sept
10-12 Delgado & Helke:
What Does Theory Has to Do with Practice: discussion session based on the reading material
Reading materials available in mycourses.
13-16: Students independent work. Assigned texts.
Thursday 10 Sept
10-12
Discussion session in group 1: Film as a Convention-What is a Story(⅓ of the students, groups formed on Monday)
Reading materials available in mycourses by Monday Sept 7
13-15
Discussion session in group 2: Film as a Convention: Film Realism/s (⅓ of the students, groups formed on Monday)
Reading materials available in mycourses by Monday Sept 7
Friday 11 Sept
10-12
Artist-researcher Pilvi Takala discusses her artistic research approach
13-15
Discussion session in group 3: Documentary Film as a Convention
(⅓ of the students, groups formed on Monday)
Reading materials available in mycourses by Monday Sept 7
- Teacher: Delgado Pereira Arturo
- Teacher: Helke Susanna