FT1ATF-Approaches to Film

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Adam O'Brien
Email: adam.obrien@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

How do films tell stories, make meanings, and contribute to our culture? What questions can, and should, we ask of a film?

This module includes a mix of cinema screenings, seminars and lectures, exploring a range of fiction and non-fiction films. Class discussions and assignments will challenge students to explore the meanings and cultural significance of moving images, across the 20th and 21st centuries.

Aims:

This module aims to familiarise students with a range of critical and interpretative tools for the close analysis of film texts; to enhance their understanding of the ways that meaning is produced and organised in films; to enable them to recognise conventions of fiction and non-fiction cinema, and to describe them in appropriate terms; to enable them to recognise departures from mainstream convention, and to understand these systematically, and describe them in appropriate terms; to extend their understanding of cinema as a diverse, global and transcultural medium. It further aims to enable students: to examine the historical and cultural contexts in which these texts were produced; to complement their own development as practitioners with stimulating contexts and references. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• demonstrate skills of close analysis appropriate to film study;


• demonstrate through close analysis an understanding of the ways in which meaning is produced in films;


• use their knowledge of central conventions of film in order to make informed judgements and to develop clearly argued interpretations;


• articulate in written work a critical under standing of the cultural, historical and critical developments appropriate to the case studies


• relate patterns in film as artistic practice to its cultural and historical contexts;


• identify connections and patterns in cinema history across a diverse range of films.

Additional outcomes:

The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies that 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.

Outline content:

Approaches to Film introduces students to the critical tools needed for degree-level film study by establishing key terms and ideas; it will also demonstrate and model a range of approaches, enabling students to consider film in relation to (for example): history and politics; identity and representation; media and entertainment; fiction and documentary. The module challenges student to apply their analytical, interpretive and research skills to aesthetically, culturally and historically sign ificant trends and movements in film history. An indicative list includes: modernist cinema in Europe of the 1920s; Classical Hollywood, 1930-60; documentary practices; global cities in cinema. 

Global context:

The global coverage of the module’s content will vary depending on the case studies, but diversity and scope are essential. The module’s structure enables comparisons and connections to emerge between a number of regional, national and international contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8
Seminars	12
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	50
Wider reading (directed)	50
Peer assisted learning	10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	20
Revision and preparation	50
Total hours by term	200	0	0
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:

Students will be assessed on either a written essay, a group presentation, or a combination of the two.

Short essay (30%) and essay (70%)

Formative assessment methods:

This will be a short written formative assessment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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:

Submission of additional coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: None


2. Specialist equipment or materials: None


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: None


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 12 October 2021