IBS2250 ¨C Ibsen on Screen

Course content

This course explores audiovisual texts based on the works of Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, such as Fritz Lang¡¯s M (1931), Raphael Bob Waksberg¡¯s BoJack Horseman (2014¨C2020), and Greta Gerwig¡¯s Barbie (2023). By examining screen versions that range from silent cinema to social media¡ªsuch as sound film, television, streaming services, and computer games¡ªthe students will learn to analyze and contextualize complex audiovisual artifacts in ways that bring out the political dimension of popular media.

We will discuss questions such as: What is an Ibsen adaptation¡ªand why does it matter? Do these films have distinct characteristics from a thematic or aesthetic perspective? In what ways do screen versions of Ibsen shed light on cultural, social, and political issues in the historical moments in which they were made and first seen? How do these texts influence the broader reception of Ibsen¡¯s works?

The course adopts a cultural studies approach and aims to deepen students¡¯ understanding of the relationship between Ibsen as a cultural text and issues of gender, sexuality, national identity, race, ethnicity, and class.

Finally, all screen versions based on Ibsen will be explored in line with Fredric Jameson¡¯s famous cry: "always historicize!"

Learning outcome

Upon completion of this course, the students will have mastered the following academic skills:

Knowledge about:

• Ibsen and mass media history

• basic concepts and approaches in film analysis

Skills to:

• analyze and contextualize complex audiovisual artifacts in relation to socio-political issues and mass media history

• understand mass media as a specific form of text-to-text reception

• create independent thesis statements and write academic papers at an advanced level

• demonstrate knowledge of previous research by referring to it in a film analysis

General competence:

• evaluate the quality of previous research

• identify political (mis)use of audiovisual expressions

The final grade reflects the extent to which the student has attained the course learning outcomes.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of Ibsen¡¯s works and an ability to carry out in-depth studies.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with IBS4250 ¨C Ibsen on Screen.

Teaching

This course consists of 11 units, a total of 22 hours.?The form of teaching combines lectures and active student discussions in a true seminar fashion. Additional screenings are to be expected as preparation for coursework.

Compulsory activities:

Each student must submit a 5-page (approximately 2300 characters without spaces per page) paper assigned by the teacher during the course of the seminar. This is the first draft of the term paper.

In addition, we require peer reviews of selected student papers as a part of the qualifying assignment. These will be discussed in a workshop toward the end of the semester.

These two compulsory activities must be approved by the instructor before the student can take the final exam. Approved compulsory activities are valid the next two times the course is offered.

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Active use of Canvas is an integral part of the course.

Examination

The exam is a term paper. Each student writes an assignment of 10 pages in length (2300 characters without spaces per page) on a topic relevant to the course content. In their assignment, students attending will be requested to develop their argument with particular reference to the syllabus provided.

Language of examination

You may write in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.