Liaison 1: Europe: Notes from a Cambridge Colloquium

Howells !Cambridge Colloquium Richard Howells Institute of Communications Studies richard@ics-server.novell.leeds.ac.uk LlAlSONIiEUROPE Notes from a Cambridge Colloquium Researching American Film and History, Graduate Colloquium, Faculty of History, University of Cambridge, 17 June 1998 The study of film and history is not a traditional discipline in England. A graduate colloquium on the topic at one of its most traditional universities, therefore, is worthy of particular note. "Researching American Film and History" was held at the Faculty of History, University of Cambridge, on 17 June 1998, hosted by Tony Badger, the Paul Mellon Professor of American History at the University. More than a dozen graduate students —nearly all ofwhom were doctoral candidates — took turns in giving presentations on their research, and discussion on each topic followed, moderated by a group of five guest speakers and mediators. The mediators were: Professor Jeffrey Richards of Lancaster University, Dr. Jonathan Munby, also of Lancaster University, Dr. Roberta Pearson of Cardiff University, Professor Nicholas Cull of Leicester University, and Dr Richard Howells of Leeds University, who is also European Liaison for Film and History. Although the colloquium was held at Cambridge, the participating students had travelled from universities from across the United Kingdom. Topics ranged from the technical to the theoretical, and from gender to African-American approaches. In addition to describing the scope and focus of their research, participants also took the opportunity to raise both methodological and practical questions with the panel. A recurring concern among the graduate students was a disciplinary issue: where exactly did the study offilm and history fit within the established departmental structure of their faculties and universities? Participants reported some difficulty in fitting their work straightforwardly into (for example) Film Studies or traditional History departments. This could in turn led to methodological disputes. The response from moderators was very much one ofencouragement: they appreciated the difficulties which could be encountered, but urged students to continue to enjoy persevering in a challenging and in some ways groundbreaking field. The moderators were consistently impressed by the breadth of topics and the vigour with which they were being undertaken. A round table discussion completed a full day of presentations, while a reception in the Faculty and lunch at Selwyn College added a convivial note to the proceedings. The graduate participants and topics were: Margaret Butler (Essex) on films ofBritain and France in the 1940s; Amy M. Davis (University College, London) on women in Disney's animated movies; Katrina Glitre (Reading) on Hollywood romantic comedy, 1930-1970; Leo Enticknap (Exeter) on technical evidence in film and history; Sarah Smith (Strathclyde) on children and cinema, 1895-1950; Jayne Morgan (East Anglia) on Eadward Muybridge and neurasthenia; Kris Jozajtis (Stirling) on Hollywood and civil religion; John Gibbs (Reading ) on mise-en-scene criticism; David Eldridge (Cambridge) on representations ofhistory in 1950s Hollywood; EJM Duggan (University College, Suffolk and UEA) on texts of 'The Maltese Falcon'; Shorelle Cole (Exeter) on representations of the Black-American family; Nicholas Naylor (Brunei) on Martin Ritt and the African-American experience; Arlene Hui (UCL) on miscegenation in film. The co-organisers of the colloquium were David Eldridge ofJesus College, Cambridge (dne21@hermes.cam.ac.uk) and Amy M. Davis of University College, London (ucraamd@ucl.ac.uk). The event was held at the Faculty of History, Seeley Building, Sedgewick Site, West Road, Cambridge, England. Professor Badger is willing to host future film and history colloquia at Cambridge should interest continue. Richard Howells University of Leeds and European Liaison for Film and History. Dr. Richard Howells Insititute of Communications Studies University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT United Kingdom Direct Line: +44 (0)1 13 2335816 Fax: +44 (0)113 2335809 108 I Film & History ...