MA Film Studies / Course details

This course explores the complex relationship between cinema and ideas of ‘nation’ and investigates how cinema has been used as a tool for constructing and deconstructing national identities. The course will initially offer a theoretical overview of the literature on cinema and nation. Subsequent weeks covered might include national film policies, the impact of globalisation on national cinemas, the role of particular cinematic narratives in shaping collective memory, the representation of marginalised, cultural groups in the context of the national and an exploration of national ‘star’ identities. The course will use a case study approach, which means that specific case studies may change yearly depending on staff availability.

1. Understand the historical, industrial, and theoretical foundations of the relationship between cinema and nation.
    
2. Critically analyse the ways in which films at different historical junctures construct national identities.
    
3. Critically engage with key issues and debates in the field and apply them to the study of selected films from different historical periods.

Knowledge and understanding 

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the historical, industrial, and theoretical contexts of the relationship between cinema and nation.
   
• Demonstrate an ability to critically assess representations of national identity, considering themes such as class, gender, race and regional identities.
   
• Evaluate the impact of globalization and transnationalism on the idea of the national cinema/s 

Intellectual Skills

• Make effective use of research whilst applying concepts to individual research project.
   
• Demonstrate ability to apply advanced theoretical understanding and research in aspects of film analysis. 
   
• Synthesise and analyse information from a range of sources and use this to engage with existing scholarship in the field

Practical Skills 

• Present advanced ideas and intellectual arguments visually usually digital tools;
   
• Demonstrate advanced critical writing skills.
   
• Undertake research design and presentation at Masters’ level.

Transferable Skills and personal qualities 

• Exercise independence in self-directed learning 
   
• Demonstrate advanced ability to articulate ideas and argument cohesively, comprehensively and effectively. 
   

Digital collaboration

Students will use Padlet to present discussion ideas to seminar groups and google docs and/or an alternative shared digital platform to develop independent work with tutor.

Digital research – the cohort will use digital research tools for both assessments. 

Digital design and presentation – the cohort will use digital design tools (eg Canva) to prepare their poster presentations.

1. The ‘problem’ of national cinemas and introduction to case study
    
2. British cinema as ‘national’ cinema
    
3. British Film policy
    
4. British cinema and Empire
    
5. British New Wave
    
6. Reading Week
    
7. Alternative British histories on film
    
8. British cinema and Globalisation
    
9. British cinema and Devolution
    
10. British cinema and Brexit
     
11. British star identities

Lectures, seminars and screenings. Seminars will include group work using Padlet to post discussion finding to the group and lecture prep will use Adobe Express (or similar) to introduce complex topics and provide guidance on assessment.

Anderson, Benedict R. (2016) Imagined Communities : Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised edition (second edition). London ; Verso. 

Choi, J. (2011) ‘National Cinema: An Anachronistic Delirium?’, The Journal of Korean studies, 16(2), pp.173-191. 

Christie, I. (2013) ‘Where is National Cinema Today (and Do We Still Need It)?’, Film History, 25(1-2), pp.19-30. 

Ezra, Elizabeth, and Terry. Rowden (2006) Transnational Cinema : The Film Reader. London: Routledge. 

Higson, A. (1989) ‘The Concept of National Cinema’, Screen (London), 30(4), pp.36-47.

Hjort, Mette., and Scott MacKenzie (2000) Cinema and Nation. London: Routledge.

Rawle, Steven (2018) Transnational Cinema : An Introduction. London: Palgrave. 

Rosen, P. (2006) ‘History, Textuality, Nation: Kracauer, Burch and Some Problems in the Study of National Cinemas’, in Vitali, V. and Willemen, P. (eds.) Theorising National Cinema. First Edition. London: British Film Institute, pp.17-28. 

Shohat, Ella, and Robert Stam, eds (2003) Multiculturalism, Postcoloniality, and Transnational Media. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 

Walsh, M. (1996) ‘National Cinema, National Imaginary’, Film History, 8(1), pp.5-17. 

Willemen, P. (2005) ‘For a comparative film studies’, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 6(1), pp.98-112.

Yoshimoto, M. (1991) ‘The Difficulty of Being Radical: The Discipline of Film Studies and the Postcolonial World Order’, boundary 2, 18(3), pp.242-257.