FT3RC-Representing Conflict on Stage and Screen

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring (Double presentation)
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Prof Anna Mcmullan

Email: a.e.mcmullan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

In this module, you will explore how live and mediated modes of representation have been used to reflect upon, remember, or create shared dialogues amongst diverse communities in situations of conflict, trauma or post-conflict cultural regeneration. With reference to specific case studies from at least two different cultural and political contexts such as, for example, World War I, World War II and aftermath, South Africa, post 9/11 global contexts, or Northern Ireland, (case studies will vary from year to year), we will draw on concepts of cultural memory, witnessing, and the politics of representation in order to analyse particular representational practices and strategies. This module engages with urgent real world issues of conflict, post-conflict cultures and displacement.

Aims:
To introduce students to a range of formally contrasting texts from diverse cultural, national and historical contexts
- To introduce students to key critical contexts and theoretical concepts necessary for the analysis of these texts
- To consider and explore the relationship between contextual research and examples of representation
- To introduce a consideration of representations of conflict in both discipline-specific and cross-disciplinary ways
- To begin to develop a series of methodologies and vocabularies for the analysis of representations of conflict in a range of media
- To explore the notion of cultural, political and national specificity in relation to representation
- To build on core modules taken by students at Part 2

Assessable learning outcomes:
- Students will be assessed for their ability to analyze, compare and contextualize a range of film, theatre and television texts that represent issues relating to the theme of conflict.
- Students will be assessed for their ability to effectively theorize their textual analyses, by drawing on a broad range of relevant critical readings
- Students will be assessed for their ability to understand and express the implications of drawing on varying modes of contextual and subject-specific research in order to inform and situate their textual analyses
- Students will be assessed for their ability to respond to module-related tasks that take a variety of practical and written formats

Additional outcomes:
The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies, which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of film narrative and narration.

Outline content:
The module will a) introduce students to the role of culture, and live and mediated performance in particular, in situations of trauma, conflict and post-conflict b) be structured in relation to a series of case studies such as, for example, World War I II and aftermath, South Africa, post 9/11 global contexts, or Northern Ireland, (case studies will vary from year to year). Teaching methods will be mainly by seminar, with regular screenings and possible theatre visits (will vary depending on what is available).

Global context:
This module will explore the representation of conflict across a range of national contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Case studies will be explored in seminars and, where appropriate, workshops, supplemented by reading, and by analysing primary and contextual screenings and performances. The module may include a theatre visit, incurring ticket and travel costs.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	16
Supervised time in studio/workshop	16
Guided independent study:	168
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

EITHER 2x 3000 word essays

OR 1 x 3000 essay plus 1 x 5-7min practical presentation with 1500 word written evaluation.

Formative assessment methods:

Oral feedback given during seminars

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of failed coursework.

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: 6 August 2019