Cinema and Cultural Studies
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing the elements of cultural studies to show their crucial role in the development of film studies since the 1970s. Focusing on the English-speaking, French and Italian literature (also with relation to other schools and theories), in the first part the main theoretical, methodological and ideological aspects of cultural studies will be addressed from a historical perspective, as well as their main topics, such as the revaluation of popular cinema, the issues of film reception and the relationship between cinema and identities (of gender, sex and post colonial ethnicity).
The second and third parts will focus on a particular subject chosen as a case study.
The second and third parts will focus on a particular subject chosen as a case study.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired a up-to-date awareness of cultural studies development and main issues involving cinema, and would be able to apply the cultural studies methodology to film history reckoning with the cultural contexts.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims at introducing the elements of the Cultural studies to show their crucial role in the development of film studies since the 1970s. Focusing on the English-speaking, French and Italian literature (also with relation to other schools and theories), in part A the main theoretical, methodological and ideological aspects of Cultural studies will be addressed from a historical perspective, as well as their main topics and issues, such as the revaluation of popular cinema or the relationship between cinema and identities (of gender, sex and post colonial ethnicity). Part B will reflect on methodological issues starting from the relationship between the far right and cinema in post-war Italy.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of contemporary history and of film history and language.
Teaching methods
The topics of the course will be addressed making the use of slides and audio-video materials analyzed during the lessons.
Teaching Resources
I. ATTENDING STUDENTS
- S. Hall, Encoding and decoding in the television discourse, versione ciclostilata del 1973 (available on the Ariel website of the course).
- S. Hall, Cultural Identity and Cinematic Representation, «Framework», n. 36, 1989 (available online in the university library catalogue).
- M. Giori, Un popolo di spettatori. L'estrema destra e il cinema in Italia (1945-1983), Le Monnier, Firenze 2026 (due for publication in April 2026).
A book to be chosen from:
- R. Dyer, Star, Kaplan, Torino 2009 (ed. or., Stars, BFI, London 1977).
- R. Dyer, White, Routledge, London 2016.
- A.B. Saponari, F. Zecca (a cura di), Oltre l'inetto? Rappresentazioni plurali della mascolinità nel cinema italiano, Meltemi, Milano 2021.
- F. Di Chiara, Sessualità e marketing cinematografico italiano. Industria, culture visuali, spazio urbano (1948-1978), Rubbettino, 2021.
- M. Giori, Nell'ombra di Hitchcock. Amore, morte e malattia nell'eredità di Psycho, ETS, Pisa 2015.
- M. Giori, Intorno a Luchino Visconti. Dieci sguardi eccentrici, UTET, Torino 2021.
- J. Staiger, Media Reception Studies, New York University Press, New York 2005.
- S. Chaudhuri, Feminist Film Theorists: Laura Mulvey, Kaja Silverman, Teresa de Lauretis, Barbara Creed, Routledge, London 2006.
- G. Sim, The Subject of Film and Race: Retheorizing Politics, Ideology and Cinema, Bloomsbury, London 2014.
Film to watch:
- Roma città aperta (1945, R. Rossellini) and Carica eroica (1952, F. De Robertis)
- A film at choice among La rabbia (1963, G. Guareschi e P.P. Pasolini), Africa addio (1966, G. Jacopetti, F. Prosperi), Mille peccati... nessuna virtù (1969, S. Martino, L. Martino)
- Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Luchino Visconti, 1960) and Le passage du Rhin (Il passaggio del Reno, A. Cayatte)
II. NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
In addition to the program for attending students:
- C. Barker, E.A. Jane (ed.), Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice, SAGE, London 2016 or any other edition. Chapters 4 and 11-13 are optional.
- S. Hall, Encoding and decoding in the television discourse, versione ciclostilata del 1973 (available on the Ariel website of the course).
- S. Hall, Cultural Identity and Cinematic Representation, «Framework», n. 36, 1989 (available online in the university library catalogue).
- M. Giori, Un popolo di spettatori. L'estrema destra e il cinema in Italia (1945-1983), Le Monnier, Firenze 2026 (due for publication in April 2026).
A book to be chosen from:
- R. Dyer, Star, Kaplan, Torino 2009 (ed. or., Stars, BFI, London 1977).
- R. Dyer, White, Routledge, London 2016.
- A.B. Saponari, F. Zecca (a cura di), Oltre l'inetto? Rappresentazioni plurali della mascolinità nel cinema italiano, Meltemi, Milano 2021.
- F. Di Chiara, Sessualità e marketing cinematografico italiano. Industria, culture visuali, spazio urbano (1948-1978), Rubbettino, 2021.
- M. Giori, Nell'ombra di Hitchcock. Amore, morte e malattia nell'eredità di Psycho, ETS, Pisa 2015.
- M. Giori, Intorno a Luchino Visconti. Dieci sguardi eccentrici, UTET, Torino 2021.
- J. Staiger, Media Reception Studies, New York University Press, New York 2005.
- S. Chaudhuri, Feminist Film Theorists: Laura Mulvey, Kaja Silverman, Teresa de Lauretis, Barbara Creed, Routledge, London 2006.
- G. Sim, The Subject of Film and Race: Retheorizing Politics, Ideology and Cinema, Bloomsbury, London 2014.
Film to watch:
- Roma città aperta (1945, R. Rossellini) and Carica eroica (1952, F. De Robertis)
- A film at choice among La rabbia (1963, G. Guareschi e P.P. Pasolini), Africa addio (1966, G. Jacopetti, F. Prosperi), Mille peccati... nessuna virtù (1969, S. Martino, L. Martino)
- Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Luchino Visconti, 1960) and Le passage du Rhin (Il passaggio del Reno, A. Cayatte)
II. NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
In addition to the program for attending students:
- C. Barker, E.A. Jane (ed.), Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice, SAGE, London 2016 or any other edition. Chapters 4 and 11-13 are optional.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral interview on the topics of the program and also on those addressed during the lessons. The exam intends to verify in particular the critical and logical-argumentative abilities of the student.
This program expires in May 2027.
This program expires in May 2027.
L-ART/06 - CINEMA, PHOTOGRAPHY AND TELEVISION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Giori Mauro
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)