2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM1830 Introduction to Cinema

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Beth Johnson
Email: b.l.johnson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Module replaces

COMM1530 Classic Cinema

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module equips students with an historical overview of the principal developments in US and European cinema, from 1895 to the present day. Through a series of ten one-hour lectures and linked screenings, students are introduced to the form, culture, economics and ideology of the moving image. Topics covered include early cinema, the emergence of the 'Classical' system, European art cinema traditions, documentary and realism, cinema and propaganda, national cinemas and the convergence of cinema with other media forms in the second half of the twentieth century. Assessment is by a 2,000 word essay and an exam taken at the end of the module (50%).

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with an informed understanding of the principal developments in the history of US and European cinema from the emergence of film in the late 19th century to the present day. The module will enable students to analyse and evaluate the significance of individual films, filmmakers, genres, movements and national cinemas to the history of cinema as a whole, forming empirical links between different film cultures and historical periods and applying film theory to the analysis of film. The module will also equip students with the tools of textual analysis, exploring film form, style, narrative and genre.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

- Describe the development of US and European cinema giving examples of significant films, filmmakers, genres, and movements.
- Analyse film drawing on an understanding of form, style, technique, and genre
- Apply film theory in the critical analysis of film
- Locate and evaluate film scholarship
- Critically discuss film in the context of an academic essay

Skills outcomes
- A solid background knowledge of the main historical debates and issues which have shaped Western (defined as US and European) cinema in the twentieth century.
- The ability to carry out textual analysis of films (e.g. critically evaluate form, style, narrative, ideological issues etc.).
- The ability to extract pertinent information and arguments from relevant secondary sources, as prescribed in reading lists etc.
- The ability to identify relevant reading and viewing which is not prescribed in reading lists, etc.
- The ability to write a coherent discursive essay in response to a prescribed question, paying attention to factors including the use of evidence, quality of argument and overall essay structure.
- The ability to perform under pressure in exam conditions.

Syllabus

- Pre- and Early Cinema; evolution of the basic technologies; early film form; modes of exhibition.
- The emergence of an industry and the development of style and narrative, 1905-15.
- Hollywood and the growth of 'Classical' cinema, 1915-1930.
- Cultural protectionism and European art cinema movements in the 1920s and '30s.
- Realism and Documentary.
- Cinema and Propaganda in Britain and Germany during World War II.
- The Collapse of the Studio System and Post-Classical Hollywood.
- European New Waves.
- New Hollywood and the 'Movie Brats' of the 1970s.
- Modern Cinema and the Convergence of Media.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Film Screenings	10	3.00	30.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			150.00
Total Contact hours			50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are expected to read and view material related to the module outside taught sessions, consisting both of prescribed books and films, and other relevant material discovered through their own research. An extensive collection of books, journals, DVDs and BDs is available in the Edward Boyle Library to support this private study, and we are continually adding to it. Where copyright issues permit, films and related viewing are also made available on LUTube.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contribution to seminar group discussions
Formative assessment - Film Analysis 750 words
Contribution to Forum discussions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 1,750 - 2,250 words	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: 26/04/2016

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