University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: TBC

From Norman McLaren's classical animated treatise on conflict Neighbours (1952) to films on present-day terrorism (for example, India's The Terrorist, 1999), this module will focus on the changing representations of war and international conflict in cinema. We will look at classical Western and non-Western films about World War I and World War II (typically including films like, Sahara, Paisa, Bridge on the River Kwai, Come and See, Stalingrad) and discuss the cinematic treatment of war-time mismanagement (for example A Bridge Too Far, Charge of the Light Brigade) as well as explore films looking into various national liberation struggles, at the evolving representations of the Vietnam war in American cinema, and at the depictions of more recent conflicts such as the wars in Bosnia, Rwanda and Iraq. Other issues that we will discuss in the context of cinematic representation include media and war, justice and reconciliation in a war's aftermath, satirical interpretations of war, and various explanatory frameworks on conflict (cold war, political economy, clash of civilisations).

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:

Scheduled learning hours: 55

Guided independent study hours: 245

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews:

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Personnel