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: 2023/4

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will broaden your knowledge of historical and contemporary global cinema through the exploration of a variety of stimulating film forms. This will deepen your understanding of the relationships between films and their artistic, social and cultural contexts. The module is structured in two parts: Art Cinema and Experiments in Documentary, giving you the opportunity to engage with, analyse, discuss, research and write about a diverse range of carefully selected films and relevant critical/theoretical material.

Aims:

The module aims:

• to develop students’ awareness of a variety of film forms, and of form as a critical and conceptual issue;


• to introduce theoretical perspectives on questions of form and meaning;


• to develop students’ analytical and critical skills;


• 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; theorise relationships between form, meaning and cultural context; situate their critical thinking in relation to relevant scholarship.

Additional outcomes:

The third year Advanced Filmmaking Project or Dissertation may draw on knowledge and ideas introduced by this module, and its topics often inform the Creative Screen Practice module 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 in two parts: Art Cinema and Experiments in Documentary. Both parts are structured as surveys of the topic, taking a different film as the main text each week. Recommended contextual viewing in the form of a second film is also provided every week. Films are further contextualised through an extensive selection of essential, recommended and further reading material.

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 students to historical contexts, theoretical concepts and critical approaches that will be examined further in seminars through the exploration and discussion of that week’s film/s and reading material. The weekly screenings are an integral part of the module. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		9
Seminars		13
Guided independent study:		178
Total hours by term	0	200	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:

This module will be assessed through written coursework. 

Learning journals 30% and essay 70%. 

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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: 

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: 11 December 2023