MEVIT1110 – Audiovisual Aesthetics

Course content

"In the narrowest sense, I take style to be a film’s systematic and significant use of techniques of the medium." (David Bordwell, On the History of Film Style). The course is a theoretical and analytical introduction to the aesthetics - the narratives, styles and genres - of audiovisual media, such as film and tv series. These audiovisual media are diverse variants of what historically have been termed moving images, defined by media philosopher Noël Carroll as "a mode of communication and expression that can be implemented cinematically, videographically, digitally, and/or in ways which we still have to conceive". As an introductory course in media and communication studies, this course will also offer insight and introductory exercise in scholarly reading, scholarly thinking, and academic writing.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• Describe audiovisual aesthetics (narratives, styles and genres) using proper terminology, such as mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing and sound
• Give an account of the development and characteristics of conventional audiovisual aesthetics, such as classical Hollywood cinema and contemporary tv aesthetics
• Be familiar with films and tv series such as The General, Dirty Dancing, Seinfeld, Twin Peaks, Succession, Euphoria, The Curse and Civil War

Skills

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• Analyse the aesthetics (narratives, styles and genres) of films and tv series
• Write a theoretical and/or analytical essay on films and tv series
• Create a video essay

General competence

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• Read, look at and listen attentively
• Conduct a close textual analysis
• Work individually and in a group

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

• 5 credits overlap with MEVIT2111 – Skjermkulturer.

Teaching

This course is taught in 7 x 4 hours lectures/seminars/screenings.

Compulsory activity

In order to qualify for the exam, students (as groups) must create a video essay.

Approved obligatory activities are valid the semester you attend the course and the two following semesters the course is offered.

Examination

The compulsory activity must be passed to qualify for the exam. It will be graded approved / not approved, and will not be a part of the grade for the course.

Take home exam over three days. Please see the term page for time and place.

Past exams and examiner guidelines for courses at IMK

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.