FT2FFC-Film Forms and Cultures

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr David Foster
Email: d.foster@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module Film Forms and Cultures is designed to broaden students’ knowledge of the variety of film forms in historical and contemporary global cinema, and to deepen their understanding of the relationships between films and their artistic, social and cultural contexts. The module is structured as two case studies, which will be chosen each year from an indicative list including: Art Cinema, Experimental Cinema, the Essay Film, Found Footage and Appropriation, Intermediality and Cinema, Ecocinema.

Aims:

The module aims: to develop students’ awareness of the variety of film forms, and of form as a critical and conceptual issue; to introduce theoretical perspectives on questions of form and meaning; to introduce debates about the politics of form; to develop students’ analytical and critical skills and knowledge; to enrich students’ knowledge of film cultures.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to: discuss and analyse a variety of film forms, using appropriate critical language; develop critical arguments based on formal analysis; ?theorize relationships between form, meaning and cultural context; situate their critical thinking in relation to relevant scholarship.

Additional outcomes:

The third year Advanced Practical Project or Dissertation may draw on knowledge and ideas introduced by this module, and its topics often inform the Practical Project or Dissertation at Part 2. Furthermore, the module extends skills and competencies that are central to the degree. 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 debate in a group context; library usage to assist in self-directed, independent work; appropriate deployment of research using a wide range of printed and electronic resources: critical analysis and coherent argument; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems which have a relationship to both film and theatre texts and contexts. 

Outline content:

The module is structured as two case studies, chosen from an indicative list including: Art Cinema, Experimental Cinema, the Essay Film, Found Footage and Appropriation, Intermediality and Cinema, Ecocinema. Case studies will be structured as surveys of the topic or the history of a particular form, taking a different film as the main text each week.

Global context:

The module explores film and media in an international context. It refers to forms of practice and examples of work from across the world. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will introduce the students to new historical contexts, theoretical concepts and critical approaches that will be tested out in seminars in the exploration of film texts. The weekly screenings are an integral part of the module. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		9
Seminars		13.5
Supervised time in studio/workshop		36
Guided independent study:		141.5
Total hours by term		201
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:

Formative assessment methods:

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):

Last updated: 4 November 2021