Psychology in Film
Course code
BFM6205.FK
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Psühholoogia filmis
Course title in English
Psychology in Film
ECTS credits
4.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
Examination of how motion pictures depict childhood, adolescent development, varieties of relationships, human psyche and other psychologically relevant themes. To familiarize the psychological value of filmmaking and viewing, application of theories and concepts. Students will learn the process of film analysis in the context of Jungian and psychoanalytical approach – breaking down the elements of films and discussing the psychological issues they depict. Through this process, students will increase both their knowledge of psychological theory and of film-making technique.
Brief description of the course
In this course, psychological issues and theories will be studied through the process of film analysis. The perspectives of psychology will be taken in the interpretation of the films and in the analysis of how film reflects and shapes psychological themes. Character analyses involve examination of personality, mental illness, developmental issues, conflicts, and motivation. Topics that will be covered include: Freudian and Lacanian themes: mechanisms of repression, theory of the unconscious, a model of psychic structure (id, ego and super-ego), dreams and dream symbolism; Jungian Archetypes, mind control, psychic powers, memory and memory disorders, symbolism. The work of various directors will be viewed.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- has ability to analyze psychological components in films will enable students to enjoy and understand films on a deeper level;
- has knowledge of using prominent theories for constructing gripping and dramatically suspended screenplays;
- understands film as more than just a form of entertainment, but as source material for examples and models of every type of human behaviour that can be portrayed;
- understandsof how films create lasting and meaningful impressions on viewers through their portrayals of psychological issues.
- has ability to analyze psychological components in films will enable students to enjoy and understand films on a deeper level;
- has knowledge of using prominent theories for constructing gripping and dramatically suspended screenplays;
- understands film as more than just a form of entertainment, but as source material for examples and models of every type of human behaviour that can be portrayed;
- understandsof how films create lasting and meaningful impressions on viewers through their portrayals of psychological issues.
Teacher
Prerequisite course 1
Prerequisite course 2
Study programmes containing that course