Critical Approaches

Lesson 2

What makes film a valid university subject?

What do we mean by ‘critical approaches’?

• Critical approach: watching

and considering films in a

different way than a casual

spectator

• Critical approaches: more

than one way of studying

film

These approaches have been crucial in establishing and

developing Film Studies as an academic discipline.

Attempts to

rigorously

examine the

very nature

and functions

of film

what

distinguishes

it as a unique

art form

how films

work

what messages they

communicate about life

and society etc.

Is film an art form? Are all films art? Are all

films worthy of scholarly attention?

What roles does cinema play in society?

What are its social/political functions and

effects? Do they matter?

Is this film worthy

of academic

study?

Why/why not?

Are all films worthy of

scholarly attention?

Arguably yes, but perhaps

not always for the same

reasons

What roles does cinema play in

society?

What are its social/political

functions and effects?

What are the

implications of

how this film

represents

history?

… or how these

films represent

gender?

Does it matter?