BA Film Studies and Linguistics

What and where is the child in global cinema? What sort of trends and themes emerge in concert with the portrayal of childhood on screen? This module aims to answer these questions by moving beyond national cinemas to focus instead on a number of key issues and experiences, which can be explored across a variety of geographical, social, and cultural settings.  

We will delve into the polysemic figure of the child, exploring its multifaceted nature. Our discussions will include themes such as child labour and the experiences of child actors in the film industry, as well as the child's immediate networks and relationships, encompassing family dynamics, friendships, and connections with animal companions. Furthermore, we will explore the child's relationship with the environment and their own body, alongside considerations of how religion, morality, and challenging circumstances influence their development. Additionally, we will examine the joyful aspects of childhood, such as play, wonder, and the child's role as a curious observer of both the world and cinema itself.
 

Pre-requisites:   Any L1 Film module

Explore the complex and nuanced portrayal of childhood in global cinema by examining trends, themes, and experiences transcending national contexts and boundaries. Through this exploration, students will develop an understanding of how cinematic representations of childhood reflect and contribute to broader cultural, social, and historical discourses. 

Introduction: What and Where is the Child in Global Cinema

• The Child as/and Labour 
• Family: Care & State 
• Friendship: Coming of Age 
• Animal Companions 
• The Environment 
• The Changing Body 
• Religion and the Child 
• The Child as Moral Subject 
• Lost Innocence: Childhood in Times of Conflict 
• The Child as Flâneur 
• The Child as Spectator
   

11 lectures (1h each), synchronous

11 seminars (2hs each), synchronous

11 screenings (3hs max each), synchronous 

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the portrayal of childhood in global cinema, including cultural, historical, and social contexts.  
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of key theories and critical approaches related to the representation of children in films from different regions and time periods.  
• Develop an understanding of the child's representation in global cinema by selecting and justifying the inclusion of films that encompass diverse cultural perspectives, genres, and historical contexts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of film curation on audience engagement and education, recognising how film selection and presentation contribute to the viewer's understanding of childhood in a global context. 

• Critically analyse and interpret the cinematic representation of childhood, applying relevant film theories and research findings to construct a well-structured and persuasive argument. 
• Ability to synthesise complex information from a variety of sources and present their insights with clarity and coherence.
• Apply critical thinking and creative curatorial skills to craft a thematic narrative that connects the chosen films, allowing for an insightful exploration of childhood themes across cultures and genres. 

• Employ research and citation skills to support arguments effectively, demonstrating capacity to integrate scholarly sources and film analysis in a cohesive written form.  
• Acquire skills in curating a film season, including film selection, sequencing, and programming, demonstrating ability to create a coherent and engaging cinematic experience. 
• Develop effective presentation skills to communicate the curated film season to a non-specialist audience, articulating rationale, themes, and the educational value of the project.  

• Effectively communicate in written form, engaging with academic standards.  
• Develop adaptability and problem-solving skills by addressing challenges that arise during the curation process, preparing for real-world scenarios. 
• Work effectively within a group and negotiate and handle conflict with confidence.

Group Project: Curated Film Season   40%

Essay    60%

Consultations for the group project:  Feedback given during consultation hours

Essay plans:  Via written feedback on individual plans

• Bond Stockton, Kathryn. 2009. The Queer Child, Or Growing Sideways in the 20th century. Durham: Duke University Press.
• Holland, Patricia. 2004. Picturing Childhood: The Myth of the Child in Popular Imagery. London: I.B.Tauris.
• Jones, Owain. 2007. ‘Idylls and Othernesses: Childhood and Rurality in Film.’ In Cinematic Countrysides, edited by Robert Fish, 177-94. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
• Kelleher, Joe. 1998. ‘Face to Face with Terror: Children in Film.’ In Children in Culture: Approaches to Childhood, edited by Karin Lesnik-Oberstein, 29-54. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Kuhn, Annette. ‘Cinematic Experience, Film Space and the Child’s World.’ Canadian Journal of Film Studies 19, no. 2: 82-98.
• Handyside, Fiona and Kate Taylor-Jones. 2016. ‘Introduction’ in International Cinema and the Girl, 1-20. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan.
• Lebeau, Vicky. 2008. Childhood and Cinema. London: Reaktion Books.