From the contemporary and familiar to the otherness of future worlds the dystopian film explores political, social and technological anxieties and conflict through the lens of fantasy and science fiction cinema and their many sub-genres. We will look at the history and development of the dystopian film, its treatment of a range of themes and the extent to which it might reflect our own fears.
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This online film studies course will look at dystopian cinema as a genre, its key features and function as a genre, its themes, and its engagement with social, political and technological issues. In particular, we will be considering the following areas as constituting ‘dystopian’ cinema: • Apocalypse films - end of the world/post-apocalypse narratives, e.g., Things to Come (1936), War of the Worlds (1953), Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1963), La Jetée (1963), Lord of the Flies (1963), The War Game (1966), The Omega Man (1971), Dawn of the Dead (1978), When the Wind Blows (1986), Melancholia (2011). • The revolt of the machine, e.g., Metropolis (1927), Forbidden Planet (1956), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Colossus - The Forbin Project (1970), Westworld (1973), The Stepford Wives (1975), Blade Runner (1982), The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)). • The revolt of nature and disaster films, e.g., Them! (1954), The Birds (1963), Frogs (1972), Night of the Lepus (1972), Phase IV (1974), Long Weekend (1977), Jurassic Park (1993), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) • The totalitarian nightmare film, e.g., Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), It Happened Here (1964), Alphaville (1965), Fahrenheit 451 (1966), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), 1984 (1984), Brazil (1985) • Disease, conspiracy, politics and media, e.g., The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Weekend (1967), The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Crazies (1973), Soylent Green (1973), The Parallax View (1974), Rollerball (1975), All the President's Men (1976), Network (1976), The China Syndrome (1979), RoboCop (1987), Outbreak (1995), 28 Days Later (2002), Contagion (2011)
What will we cover?
• The history and development of the dystopian film. • Genre: fantasy, science fiction, horror and related sub-genres, including apocalypse films, films dealing with the revolt of nature and the revolt of the machine, conspiracy films and disaster films. • Themes in dystopian cinema. • The representation of fantasy and reality in dystopian cinema (the look and production design of dystopian cinema). • The dystopian film as popular cinema and cult cinema. • Critical accounts of, and responses to, dystopian cinema.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe the history and development of the dystopian film. • Describe and evaluate the function of genre in the dystopian film. • Identify a range of themes in dystopian cinema. • Evaluate production design in the dystopian film (or look the look of the dystopian film). • Evaluate the dystopian film as both popular cinema and cult cinema. • Assess the dystopian film within a critical framework.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look for other Film Studies courses on our website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies
Jon Wisbey teaches film at City Lit and Morley College. He was for many years a committee member and vice-chair of Chelmsford Film Club, screening contemporary and classic world cinema releases. He has an MA in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. His teaching focuses on classical and post-classical Hollywood, European cinema, British cinema, film noir and horror cinema.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/fearful-worlds-the-cinema-of-dystopia181178Fearful Worlds: The Cinema of Dystopiahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/masters-of-cinema-celine-sciamma-hf397-1080.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Online courses228511771548158017311228511771580<p>From the contemporary and familiar to the otherness of future worlds the dystopian film explores political, social and technological anxieties and conflict through the lens of fantasy and science fiction cinema and their many sub-genres. We will look at the history and development of the dystopian film, its treatment of a range of themes and the extent to which it might reflect our own fears.</p> Dystopian cinema as a genre, its key features and function as a genre, its themes and its engagement with political, social and technological issues. <br />
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This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.003071395Fearful Worlds: The Cinema of Dystopia7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/masters-of-cinema-celine-sciamma-hf397-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2027-01-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHF4357979Fearful Worlds: The Cinema of Dystopia795179Jon Wisbeyfearful-worlds-the-cinema-of-dystopia/hf435-2627<p>From the contemporary and familiar to the otherness of future worlds the dystopian film explores political, social and technological anxieties and conflict through the lens of fantasy and science fiction cinema and their many sub-genres. We will look at the history and development of the dystopian film, its treatment of a range of themes and the extent to which it might reflect our own fears.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-23 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course will look at dystopian cinema as a genre, its key features and function as a genre, its themes, and its engagement with social, political and technological issues. In particular, we will be considering the following areas as constituting ‘dystopian’ cinema:<br>• Apocalypse films - end of the world/post-apocalypse narratives, e.g., Things to Come (1936), War of the Worlds (1953), Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1963), La Jetée (1963), Lord of the Flies (1963), The War Game (1966), The Omega Man (1971), Dawn of the Dead (1978), When the Wind Blows (1986), Melancholia (2011).<br>• The revolt of the machine, e.g., Metropolis (1927), Forbidden Planet (1956), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Colossus - The Forbin Project (1970), Westworld (1973), The Stepford Wives (1975), Blade Runner (1982), The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)).<br>• The revolt of nature and disaster films, e.g., Them! (1954), The Birds (1963), Frogs (1972), Night of the Lepus (1972), Phase IV (1974), Long Weekend (1977), Jurassic Park (1993), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) <br>• The totalitarian nightmare film, e.g., Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), It Happened Here (1964), Alphaville (1965), Fahrenheit 451 (1966), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), 1984 (1984), Brazil (1985) <br>• Disease, conspiracy, politics and media, e.g., The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Weekend (1967), The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Crazies (1973), Soylent Green (1973), The Parallax View (1974), Rollerball (1975), All the President's Men (1976), Network (1976), The China Syndrome (1979), RoboCop (1987), Outbreak (1995), 28 Days Later (2002), Contagion (2011)</p><p>From the contemporary and familiar to the otherness of future worlds the dystopian film explores political, social and technological anxieties and conflict through the lens of fantasy and science fiction cinema and their many sub-genres. We will look at the history and development of the dystopian film, its treatment of a range of themes and the extent to which it might reflect our own fears.</p><p>• The history and development of the dystopian film.<br>• Genre: fantasy, science fiction, horror and related sub-genres, including apocalypse films, films dealing with the revolt of nature and the revolt of the machine, conspiracy films and disaster films.<br>• Themes in dystopian cinema.<br>• The representation of fantasy and reality in dystopian cinema (the look and production design of dystopian cinema).<br>• The dystopian film as popular cinema and cult cinema.<br>• Critical accounts of, and responses to, dystopian cinema. <br> </p><p>• Describe the history and development of the dystopian film.<br>• Describe and evaluate the function of genre in the dystopian film.<br>• Identify a range of themes in dystopian cinema.<br>• Evaluate production design in the dystopian film (or look the look of the dystopian film).<br>• Evaluate the dystopian film as both popular cinema and cult cinema.<br>• Assess the dystopian film within a critical framework.<br> </p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look for other Film Studies courses on our website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual797951HF435NONESat23/01/27 - 30/01/2710:30 - 13:0010:3013:002 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekendOnlineOnlineJon WisbeyBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-23T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Culture, history & humanities7979Fearful Worlds: The Cinema of Dystopiafearful-worlds-the-cinema-of-dystopia/hf435-2627<p>From the contemporary and familiar to the otherness of future worlds the dystopian film explores political, social and technological anxieties and conflict through the lens of fantasy and science fiction cinema and their many sub-genres. We will look at the history and development of the dystopian film, its treatment of a range of themes and the extent to which it might reflect our own fears.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-23 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course will look at dystopian cinema as a genre, its key features and function as a genre, its themes, and its engagement with social, political and technological issues. In particular, we will be considering the following areas as constituting ‘dystopian’ cinema:<br>• Apocalypse films - end of the world/post-apocalypse narratives, e.g., Things to Come (1936), War of the Worlds (1953), Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1963), La Jetée (1963), Lord of the Flies (1963), The War Game (1966), The Omega Man (1971), Dawn of the Dead (1978), When the Wind Blows (1986), Melancholia (2011).<br>• The revolt of the machine, e.g., Metropolis (1927), Forbidden Planet (1956), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Colossus - The Forbin Project (1970), Westworld (1973), The Stepford Wives (1975), Blade Runner (1982), The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)).<br>• The revolt of nature and disaster films, e.g., Them! (1954), The Birds (1963), Frogs (1972), Night of the Lepus (1972), Phase IV (1974), Long Weekend (1977), Jurassic Park (1993), The Day After Tomorrow (2004) <br>• The totalitarian nightmare film, e.g., Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), It Happened Here (1964), Alphaville (1965), Fahrenheit 451 (1966), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), 1984 (1984), Brazil (1985) <br>• Disease, conspiracy, politics and media, e.g., The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Weekend (1967), The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Crazies (1973), Soylent Green (1973), The Parallax View (1974), Rollerball (1975), All the President's Men (1976), Network (1976), The China Syndrome (1979), RoboCop (1987), Outbreak (1995), 28 Days Later (2002), Contagion (2011)</p><p>From the contemporary and familiar to the otherness of future worlds the dystopian film explores political, social and technological anxieties and conflict through the lens of fantasy and science fiction cinema and their many sub-genres. We will look at the history and development of the dystopian film, its treatment of a range of themes and the extent to which it might reflect our own fears.</p><p>• The history and development of the dystopian film.<br>• Genre: fantasy, science fiction, horror and related sub-genres, including apocalypse films, films dealing with the revolt of nature and the revolt of the machine, conspiracy films and disaster films.<br>• Themes in dystopian cinema.<br>• The representation of fantasy and reality in dystopian cinema (the look and production design of dystopian cinema).<br>• The dystopian film as popular cinema and cult cinema.<br>• Critical accounts of, and responses to, dystopian cinema. <br> </p><p>• Describe the history and development of the dystopian film.<br>• Describe and evaluate the function of genre in the dystopian film.<br>• Identify a range of themes in dystopian cinema.<br>• Evaluate production design in the dystopian film (or look the look of the dystopian film).<br>• Evaluate the dystopian film as both popular cinema and cult cinema.<br>• Assess the dystopian film within a critical framework.<br> </p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.</p><p>Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look for other Film Studies courses on our website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
