2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF2044 Cinema and Culture

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Claudia Sternberg
Email: c.sternberg@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

20 or more credits of level 1 ARTF coded modules or in related areas (e.g. Media and Communication).

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to post-1968 film theory and examines the complex relationship between cinema and culture. In an exemplary fashion, we discuss theoretical concepts integral to questions surrounding the social functioning of cinema, for example the complex of industrial and technological processes, semiotics, authorship, narrative, genre, psychoanalysis, the spectator and the gaze. Cinema is seen as an apparatus working on both ideology and desire, i.e. dealing with social constructions of class, race, gender and sexuality and with the modes of fascination, fetishism, fantasy – in short: subjectivity. The aim is to comprehend these concepts and to catch this double thread of meaning and pleasure. Some aspects of cinema will be covered historically, some thematically and some internationally with the aim of enabling you to understand how to read cinema, analyse films and see both culturally. Sessions will concentrate on critical theory and film analysis, setting out main discourses and making detailed analyses of the previous week's screening, readings and terminologies. The films screened and discussed are examples within the context of each concept and the relevant readings. We also compare cinematic texts with their remake(s) or explore other meta- and intertextual responses in order to address continuity and change in film history and cinephilia. The screenings help to build up an archive of knowledge of significant films or genres.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should be able to:

- apply a range of theories to the reading of film texts,
- relate individual films to a wider film history,
- recognise generic and meta- or intertextual references,
- discuss cinema as a particular cultural form and its impact on the culture of Modernity and Postmodernity,
- conduct a close reading of pivotal scenes and sequences, employing the technical language of film analysis,
- present – orally and in writing – a theoretically informed and critical discussion of a film text.

Learning outcomes
- Relate cinema to questions of race, class, gender, sexuality, form, spectatorship, authorship, semiotics, materiality.
- Discuss film theory as a conversant strand of cultural analysis.
- Skilled visual and textual analysis and to be able to relate the theoretical concepts to a range of media and art practices that constitute moving image studies as an expanded form of art historical analysis.
- The ability to formulate a sustained, critical and coherent argument.
- Research skills integral to the study of art and its histories, cultural analysis and specific to the study of film.
- Further development of independant research skills in identifying an essay topic by writing a research proposal. The ability to respond to and incorporate feedback into an essay developed from the research proposal.
- Verbal and written fluency and communication skills in delivering a presentation.

Skills outcomes
- Verbal and written fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument;
- Use of audio visual aids;
- Participation in group discussions;
- Co-ordination and dissemination of a range of historical, contextual visual information;
- Using bibliographies and databases.

Syllabus

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Film Screenings	10	3.00	30.00
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			150.00
Total Contact hours			50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

150 hours - further reading, class/essay preparation and preparation for group presentations. Also possible longer screenings.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance at seminars/film screenings
- Record of attendance kept
- Participation in class discussions and in the group presentations given in weeks 10 and 11.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,500-3,000 word essay	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/03/2016

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