The aim of the module is to introduce you to a wide variety of science fiction films, considering the development of the cinema alongside the science fiction genre.
We will also examine the treatment of various themes in these films, such as technology, invasion, alienation, existential questions, and science fiction as satire.
Indicative weekly topics:
Early SF film - “Trip to the Moon” (Méliès, 1902) and Metropolis (Lang,1927)
Invasion and Paranoia - The Thing from Another World (Nyby-Hawkes, 1951) and The Thing (Carpenter, 1982)
Space/Head Trip - 2001 (Kubrick, 1968) and Solaris (Tarkovsky, 1972)
Western and Horror SF - Star Wars (Lucas, 1977) and Alien (Scott, 1979)
Existential SF - Blade Runner (Scott, 1982) and Avalon (Oshii, 2001)
SF as Satire - They Live (Carpenter, 1988) and Starship Troopers (Verhoeven, 1997)
Assessment
Presentation (20%)
Research assessment (80%, 3,500 words).
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Show familiarity with the history of the science fiction genre in film
Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the themes found in science fiction films
Articulate independent critical responses to a range of science fiction films