MA Film Studies / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Film Cultures: Research, Industries and Practice

Course unit fact file
Unit code DRAM71442
Credit rating 30
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

 

In a higher education research environment that is increasingly required to shape ‘real world relevance’ in the form of ‘impact pathways’, this module is designed to expose students to a range of research questions and cultural practices within Film Studies. It is designed to complement Film Theories, Debates and Approaches by offering students the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts to practice-based contexts, such as film festivals, film journalism, curation, programming, film in the museum and film making as participatory practice.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Film Theories, Debates and Approaches DRAM71331 Co-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

1. To understand the social, political and industrial contexts under which film cultures and practices operate

2. To explore the application of film studies and practice in public and community engagement contexts 

3. To engage critically with filmmaking as participatory practice

Teaching and learning methods

1 hr weekly lecture 2 hr weekly seminar comprising group work, student-led discussions and peer-asssed facilitated learning activities Asynchronous film screenings where appropriat

Knowledge and understanding

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the social, political and industrial contexts in which film cultures operate
  • Develop specialised knowledge and understanding of film practice as cultural practice within the contexts of social and community engagement
  • Contextualise various film practices and research within broader industrial developments and demand.

Intellectual skills

  1. Demonstrate advanced independent thinking
  2. Demonstrate advanced understanding of participatory practice and research in film
  3. Demonstrate ability to integrate advanced theoretical understanding and research in aspects of film practice to social and community contexts

Practical skills

  1. Make effective contributions to group work and discussions
  2. Present advanced ideas and intellectual arguments orally in class discussions
  3. Demonstrate advanced critical writing skills
  4. Undertake research design and presentation at Masters’ level

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  1. Exercise independence in self-directed learning
  2. Demonstrate advanced critical thinking
  3. Demonstrate advanced ability to articulate ideas and argument cohesively, comprehensively and effectively
  4. Develop individual leadership and collaborative working skills in a group setting

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 40%
Portfolio 60%

Feedback methods

How and when feedback is provided

Formative feedback to be provided verbally during classroom discussions, presentations and workshops, and via Turnitin on Blackboard.

 

Summative feedback on final portfolio and essay via Turnitin on Blackboard

 

Recommended reading

Belfiore, Eleanora & Bennett Oliver (2008) The Social Impact of the Arts: An Intellectual History, Basingstoke: Palgrave/Macmillan.

Kent, Simon (2005) Careers and Jobs in the Media. London: Kogan Page.

Fleming, Mike (2008) Arts in Education: a review of the literature. London: Creative Partnerships.

Gregory, Georgina, et al. (2007) Careers in Media and Film: The Essential Guide. London: Sage.

Iordanova, Dina and Leshu Torchin, eds. (2012) Film Festival Yearbook 4: Film Festivals and Activism. St Andrews: St Andrews University Press.

McGuigan, Jim (2004) Rethinking Cultural Policy. Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2004.

Sandis, Constantine, ed. (2014) Cultural Heritage Ethics: Between Theory and Practice. Cambridge: Open Book Publishers.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 33
Independent study hours
Independent study 267

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Robert Watts Unit coordinator

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