R. L. Rutsky, the Cinema Department at San Francisco State University, fall 2007
Cine 344: Film Genres: Science Fiction FilmProf. R. L. (Randy) Rutsky
Fall 2007
Office: ESP (Ethnic Studies & Psychology) 423
Office Ph: 405-3400
Office Hours: W 4:15-5:30, Th 2-5:30
E-Mail: rlrutsky@sfsu.edu
Class Time: W 1:10-3:55
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will examine contemporary science-fiction film, with particular attention to the issue of what constitutes, and is opposed to, “the human.” In this context, the course will also focus on representations of gender, sexuality, and race within science fiction. Films to be discussed will include Forbidden Planet, Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, The Matrix.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
The following schedule is subject to change. The instructor reserves the right to make
changes to the class during the term.
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION
8/29:
Screenings: Metropolis (26 Germany) Fritz Lang (124 m)
WEEK 2: HUMAN LIFE/MECHANICAL LIFE
9/5:
Readings:
• David Desser, “Race, Space and Class: The Politics of Cityscapes in Science-Fiction Films”
• R. L. Rutsky, "Metropolis: Between Modernity and Magic"
Screenings: Metropolis cont. Alphaville, une Žtrange aventure de Lemmy Caution (65 France) Jean-Luc Godard (95 m)
WEEK 3: THE POEM AND THE COMPUTER
9/12:
Readings:
• Richard Roud, "Anguish: Alphaville"
• Michael Benedikt, "Alphaville & Its Subtext"
Screenings: Alphaville cont.
Star Trek: The Next Generation, “The Best of Both Worlds, 1 & 2” (90 US) Cliff Bole (100 m)
WEEK 4: RESISTANCE IS FUTILE
9/19:
Readings:
• Julia Witwer, "The Best of Both Worlds: On Star Trek's Borg"
Screenings: “The Best of Both Worlds" cont.
Blade Runner: The Director’s Cut (82/92 US) Ridley Scott (117 m)
WEEK 5: REPLICATION AND LIFE
9/26:
Readings:
•Scott Bukatman, “Replicants and Mental Life”
Screenings: Blade Runner cont.
WEEK 6: TECHNOBODIES
10/3:
Readings:
•Susan Napier, "Doll Parts: Technology and the Body in Ghost in the Shell"
Screenings: Ghost in the Shell [Kokaku Kidotai] (95 US) Mamoru Oshii (82 m)
WEEK 7: SIMULATION, THE MATRIX, AND THE HUMAN
10/10:
Readings:
•Jean Baudrillard, from Simulacra and Simulations
•Rebecca Ascher-Walsh, "Reality Bytes"
•Patricia Mellencamp, “The Zen of Masculinity—Rituals of Heroism in The Matrix” NOTE: On your own, view The Matrix (99 US) Andy & Larry Wachowski (136 m) for discussion in class this day.
Screenings:. Begin Starship Troopers (97 US) Paul Verhoeven (129 m)
WEEK 8: ALIEN FEARS
10/17:
Readings:
•J.P. Telotte, “Heinlein, Verhoeven, and the Problem of the Real”
Screenings: Starship Troopers cont.
** Mid-Term (Take-Home) Assignment Due**
WEEK 9: MONSTERS FROM THE ID
Readings:
10/24:
•J.P. Telotte, "Science Fiction in Double Focus: Forbidden Planet"
Screenings: Forbidden Planet (56 US) Fred M. Wilcox (98 m)
WEEK 10: THE MONSTROUS (MATERNAL) OTHER
10/31:
Readings:
•Robin Wood, “The American Nightmare: Horror in the 70s”
•Barbara Creed, “Kristeva, Femininity, Abjection” NOTE: On your own, view Aliens (86 US) James Cameron (137 m) for discussion in class this day.
Screenings: Alien Resurrection (97 US) Jean-Pierre Jeunet (109 m)
WEEK 11: MIXING WITH ALIENS
11/7:
Readings:
•Catherine Constable, “Becoming the Monster’s Mother” (edited)
Screenings: Alien Resurrection cont. Begin X-Men (2000 US) Bryan Singer (104 m)
WEEK 12: (WE ARE) MUTANTS
11/14:
Readings:
•Wikipedia, “Mutant (Marvel Comics)”
•Adam B. Vary, “Mutant is the New Gay”
•Nick Gillespie, “Make Mine Mutants!”
Screenings: X-Men cont.
WEEK 13: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
11/21: HOLIDAY
WEEK 14: FUTURE AND PRESENT OTHERS
11/28:
Readings:
•Wikipedia, “Children of Men”
Screenings: Children of Men (06 US/UK/Japan) Alfonso Cuar—n (109 m)
WEEK 15: A HUMAN PROJECT?
12/5:
Readings:
•Slavoj Zizek, “Comments on Children of Men, DVD transcript”
•Slavoj Zizek, “The Clash of Civilizations at the End of History”
Screenings: Paprika (06 Japan) Satoshi Kon (90 m) IF AVAILABLE
WEEK 16: INNER OTHER
12/12:
Readings:
•Midnight Eye, Inteview with Satoshi Kon,
•Manohla Dargis, Review of Paprika
Screenings: Paprika cont. if necessary
** Final Exam (Take-Home) Due **
© 2007, R. L. Rutsky
