Theories of the Moving Image

The course aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the main theories of the image in motion, this definition including not only the filmic form, but also video-art and digital images. Within this general objective, students are expected to familiarize themselves with the language and web of concepts that characterize this field, though in its multiple interdisciplinary ramifications, such as aesthetics, art history, semiotics and media theory. The acquired knowledge is complementary to the philosophical theories of representation and aims to develop specific skills enabling students to operate with critical awareness in different arenas of the media sphere.

Knowledge and understanding:

At the end of the course, students will distinguish the main stages of the theoretical debate on cinema and video, the analogue and the digital moving image, with particular emphasis on classic and modern authors. The knowledge of the leading thinkers of the image in motion will be associated with understanding those artistic gestures in cinema and video that produced forms of visual thinking.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students will be able to employ a specific lexicon and to apply a proper methodology to the analysis of the gaze as expressed in different audiovisual material; they can apply the acquired notions to case studies; they can appropriately interpret film and video from different perspectives; they will be able to discuss the main theoretical models critically and to orient themselves in the corresponding literature. They will learn to propose autonomous and original solutions in applying film theory's classic problems to the realm of digital media.