Greek Cinema: History, Theory, Criticism

The course 8IK3 has a seminar/laboratory format and therefore attendance is mandatory (only two absences are allowed during the semester). The first session does not count towards absences. This gives students the opportunity to audit the class and determine if it matches their research interests before enrolling. Absences count from the second session of the semester. From the third session, which coincides with the end of the course registration deadline, no new students may join. Students who do not attend the course are not eligible for evaluation.

The various teaching techniques used in the course aim at a deeper understanding of the material, the active participation of students in the class, and the smooth, two-way communication between the instructor and the students. The lecture is accompanied by an audiovisual presentation (PowerPoint), where images, clips, and other elements function as visual aids. In addition to film excerpt screenings, supplementary audiovisual material is also used (e.g., video essays, interviews with film/television industry professionals, relevant documentaries, etc.) to enrich the topic under discussion. Thus, the teaching techniques are aligned with the methodologies of New Film History, which takes into account all sources (beyond the film text itself) that can shed light on the multifaceted nature of the medium. The practical component of the course is designed to encourage the active involvement of students in the learning process. Through the instructor’s questions, each student—or groups of students—is invited to formulate an argument, an interpretation, or a critical observation based on a specific excerpt, film movement/genre, etc. The use of technology (mobile phones, tablets, and laptops—but not AI at this stage) is encouraged for searching information and other sources. In this way, students are guided to make effective use of technologies and the internet to locate reliable sources. At the same time, they are introduced to the concept of historical research and the active production of knowledge, while teamwork and collaboration practices are fostered. In the event that courses must be conducted remotely due to extraordinary circumstances, the platforms Google Meet or Zoom will be used, along with all the functionalities they offer (screen sharing for documents and PowerPoint presentations, link sharing, chat, etc.). Additionally, the course uses the e-learning platform as a repository for all materials and for interaction/collaboration. The AI policy for the course is uploaded in the e-learning URL of the course.

Τhe student is evaluated through a compulsory written paper of 2,000 to 2,500 words, including footnotes and bibliography (85%), and class participation (15%). Assessment criteria for the paper: Structure: 1.5/10 Presentation/Language/Formatting: 2.5/10 Content: Clear thesis / Historical context / Appropriate and sufficient bibliography / Correct citations / Originality / Argumentation: 6/10

Κακλαμανίδου, Μπέτυ (επιμ.). Μαρία Πλυτά: Η πρώτη ελληνίδα σκηνοθέτρια. Αθήνα: Κλειδάριθμος, 2025. Corrigan, Timothy & Patricia White. H εμπειρία του κινηματογράφου. Μια εισαγωγή. Mτφ. Δ. Αλεξανδρή, επιστ. επιμ. Δέσποινα Κακλαμανίδου. Αθήνα: Κλειδάριθμος, 2020.

Iliadis, Frixos. Greek Cinema 1906–1960. Athens: Fantasia, 1961. / Ηλιάδης, Φρίξος. Ελληνικός Κινηματογράφος 1906–1960. Αθήνα: Φαντασία, 1961. Karalis, Vrasidas. 2012. A History of Greek Cinema. New York: Continuum. Mikelidis, Ninos Fenek. History of Cinema. Athens. Maniatea, 1997. / Μικελίδης, Νίνος Φενέκ. Ιστορία του Κινηματογράφου. Αθήνα: Μανιατέα, 1997. Mitropoulou, Aglaia. Greek Cinema. Athens: Papazisi, 2005. / Μητροπούλου, Αγλαΐα. Ελληνικός Κινηματογράφος. Αθήνα: Παπαζήση, 2005. Skyllakos, Christos (ed.). Elliniki Kritiki/Ellinikos Kinimatografos (Volume A’ 1925-1975). Athens: Aigokeros, 2023. Soldatos, Yannis. History of Greek Cinema, Vo 4. 1, Documents 1900-1970. Αθήνα: Αιγόκερως, 2004. Soldatos, Yannis. History of Greek Cinema, Vol. 1, 1900–1967, Αθήνα: Αιγόκερως, 2002. Κοκκώνης, Μιχάλης. «Το Μελόδραμα στον Ελληνικό Κινηματογράφο: Από τη Λαϊκή Τέχνη στη Μαζική Κουλτούρα» Στο Μελόδραμα: Ειδολογικοί και Ιδεολογικοί Μετασχηματισμοί, επιμ. από Σάββας Πατσαλίδης και Αναστασία Νικολοπούλου, 345-401. Θεσσαλονίκη: University Studio Press, 2001.