Information updated until 30/06/2026 CODE 104264 ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 2 LETTERE 11866 (L-10 R) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR L-ART/06 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester OVERVIEW The teaching aims to present and analyze the main historiographical and theoretical aspects of film criticism, examining the history of criticism and its main theoretical elaborations, and addressing through exercises the main features of a critical essay or review. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The aim of the teaching is to provide specific skills in the history of film criticism and its socio-cultural role, as well as adequate tools for understanding and knowledge of the various phases of the history of criticism and its impact on society and culture throughout history. The course also aims to equip students with the necessary tools for analyzing and reading critical texts, as well as the ability to approach and interpret them independently. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Students must be able to critically engage with the historical, theoretical, and analytical knowledge acquired during the course; demonstrate familiarity with the film Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto (Petri, 1970), selected as the monographic case study for classroom discussion, as well as with its reception and the debate surrounding it; and produce a written paper in accordance with the indicated assessment methods. PREREQUISITES There are no specific prerequisites. TEACHING METHODS Teaching will be conducted through lectures and seminar discussions in the classroom. All students are reminded to register on the teaching page on the Aulaweb platform. Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD/DSA) can find information on how to request services, compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, and specific aids in the document available at the following link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica SYLLABUS/CONTENT The teaching will be divided into two: 1) Module on the history and theory of film criticism, which will examine the main phases in the history of criticism and focus in particular on the case of the film Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto (Petri, 1970), chosen as an exemplary case study to be analyzed from both thematic and stylistic perspectives, and discussed in relation to its critical reception. The analysis of the film will provide an opportunity to discuss the historical, cultural, and political context of the period; to explore certain aspects of Italian film criticism in the 1970s; and to study some trends in the history of Italian political cinema. 2) Writing module and seminar on film criticism: students will engage in critical writing, drafting texts, papers and reviews that will initiate classroom discussion and debate. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Alberto Pezzotta, La critica cinematografica, Carocci, Roma, 2008 Claudio Bisoni, Elio Petri. Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto, Lindau, Torino, 2011 Michele Guerra, Sara Martin (a cura di), Culture del film. La critica cinematografica e la società italiana, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2020 (FIVE ESSAYS OF THE STUDENT’S CHOICE) Materials and handouts uploaded by the lecturer on Aulaweb. NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS, IN ADDITION TO THE BOOKS INDICATED IN POINTS 1 AND 2, MUST STUDY A TOTAL OF EIGHT ESSAYS OF THEIR CHOICE FROM THE VOLUME INDICATED IN POINT 3 (Culture del film). TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD GABRIELE RIGOLA Ricevimento: The professor, during class periods, receives on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IT IS MANDATORY TO BOOK AT LEAST TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE BY SENDING A MAIL TO THE TEACHER). At other times, an appointment must be arranged by emailing the teacher. For specific information regarding the course, exam schedule or thesis topics, write to gabriele.rigola@unige.it LESSONS LESSONS START Week of 15 September 2026, according to the timetable Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Oral examination in which the text written by students will be discussed. Erasmus students not proficient in Italian may request a substitutive bibliography, and take the examination in English or French. ASSESSMENT METHODS Students will be required to write a paper (3 pages) on a film made in the last 30 years, which will be discussed in the oral examination. The examination will also assess the historical and theoretical knowledge that students have acquired during the course and through the study of texts. The overall assessment of the exam will therefore be an average between the outcome of the individual paper and the outcome of the oral exam (the paper should be emailed to the professor at least one week before the exam). FURTHER INFORMATION For any other information contact the professor.
