ENMCHF-Children's Film, Television, and Radio

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: n.h.cocks@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module aims to examine a range of texts from electronic media - film, radio, and television, while raising questions about how to interpret and analyse such texts. Further, critical works are examined critically to see how they define and approach these texts, and assumptions they make about differences in approach to film, radio, and television, and 'book texts'.

Aims:
This module aims to examine a range of texts from electronic media - film, radio, and television, while raising questions about how to interpret and analyse such texts. Further, critical works are examined critically to see how they define and approach these texts, and assumptions they make about differences in approach to film, radio, and television, and 'book texts'.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students must produce a 2500-3000 word essay considering a selection of (media) texts and/or issues in relation to media, such as questions of 'audience', production, perspective, and dissemination. The essay must demonstrate an awareness of relevant theoretical issues and questions, and of how these issues might be included and formulated in the writing of the essay. The essay must therefore demonstrate too the student's ability to reflect on their own critical practices and assumptions, and their ability to revise and adjust their thinking and writing in the light of this reflection.

Additional outcomes:
In addition to the above, students will:
1) be able to formulate questions and recognise relevant problems and complexities.
2) be able to examine and question their own assumptions, arguments and choices of critical languages.
3) be able to analyse arguments made by others in terms of their assumptions and claims, including those of their tutor.
4) be able to read any text - fictional, critical, or non-fictional - closely and be able to analyse its precise use of language.
5) be able to think out loud and engage in peer-group discussion and debate.
6) be able to question notions of authority and think in an independent manner relevant to their own development.

Outline content:
The module reviews the main developments in children's broadcasting from the establishment of Children's Hour in 1922 through to the provision of regular children's television programming. The module then moves on to consider three areas of children's television: the adaptation of classic books to film (for example, The Secret Garden, Little Women); animated film for children; and television series like Grange Hill and Byker Grove. The final section of the module is devoted to the study of films and television from the genres of science fiction and fantasy (for example, The Wizard of Oz, E.T., Star Wars, and television series such as Dr. Who and Startrek.).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module consists of eleven once-weekly classes of one hour's duration. Classes consist of seminars with tutor-led group discussion.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
Not applicable.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
One 2500-3000 word piece of written work (submission date is subject to staff-student committee confirmation every year).

Formative assessment methods:
Formative assessment consists of feedback on seminar participation and extensive feedback on all written work

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%.

Reassessment arrangements:
If the student submits an unsatisfactory coursework essay or assignment, the student will be allowed to re-submit the piece once more after tutorial consultation. If the student is required to be re-examined on the coursework essays, they may be permitted one calendar month's extension for the subsequent submission of the dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 10 April 2019