MCCCD Program Description

The Films and Career of Alfred Hitchcock

Course: HUM216

First Term: 2011 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Focuses on the career, films, and cinematic and cultural influence of acclaimed director Alfred Hitchcock. Includes the director`s cinematic innovations, techniques, major films, and his influence on modern filmmakers.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Summarize Hitchcock`s life and career (I, II, V, IX, X, XI) 2. Evaluate the influence of German Expressionism in Hitchcock`s films (III, IV) 3. Evaluate the influence Eisenstein, Kuleshov, and Pudovkin in Hitchcock`s films (II, VI, VII) 4. Describe Hitchcock`s early silent era and auteur style (I, II, III, IV) 5. Identify Hitchcock`s British sound era films (III, IV) 6. Explain Hitchcock`s move to Hollywood and the Studio System (IV, V, IX) 7. Identify Hitchcock`s major American films (V, VI, VII) 8. Explain common motifs and stylistic elements in Hitchcock`s films (III, IV, V, VII, VIII, X, XI) 9. Describe Hitchcock`s use of genres such as suspense, thriller, romance, comedy, and horror (III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, X) 10. Explain Hitchcock`s global influence on other filmmakers (VII, X, XI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Early Life A. Parental influence B. Jesuit education C. Interest in technology D. Early interest in film E. Famous Players Lasky Production Company 1. Designs film sets 2. Creates film titles 3. Meets Alma Reville 4. Begins directing F. Auteur II. Silent Era A. The Number 13 B. The Pleasure Garden 1. Made in Germany 2. Influence of German Expressionism C. The Lodger 1. Formal elements 2. Establishes common themes and motifs D. Soviet editing principles III. Styles, Motifs, Themes, and Trademarks A. Suspense B. Crosscutting and shot variation C. Cameo appearances D. Wrong man scenario E. Possessive mothers/submissive sons F. Violence towards women G. Sexual humiliation of women H. Blonde female characters I. Trains J. MacGuffins K. Dark humor L. Studio filming vs. location filming M. Duality N. Moral ambiguity O. Homoeroticism P. Murder IV. British Sound Films A. The Lady Vanishes B. Sabotage C. Secret Agent D. The Man Who Knew Too Much E. The 39 Steps F. Hollywood calls V. Move to America A. Rebecca B. Selznick relationship C. Studio System D. Foreign Correspondent E. Shadow of a Doubt F. Notorious VI. Experiments in Filmmaking A. Lifeboat B. Rope C. Rear Window D. The Birds VII. Artistic Pinnacle A. Strangers on a Train B. Vertigo C. To Catch a Thief D. North by Northwest E. Psycho F. Alfred Hitchcock Presents VIII. The Last Films A. Marnie B. Frenzy C. Family Plot IX. Career Twilight A. Power at Universal B. Personal Life C. Honorary Knighthood D. Health problems E. Award nominations F. American Film Institute (AFI) Honor G. Last days H. Death X. Legacy A. The Hitchcock genre B. Master of suspense C. Slasher films D. Always the auteur XI. Inspiration A. DePalma B. Spielberg C. Tarantino D. Raimi E. Shyamalan F. Others

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 2/22/2011

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.