2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM2850 Cinematic Themes

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Paul Taylor
Email: p.a.taylor@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module equips students with a theoretical overview of the various approaches to the study of cinema. Through a series of eleven two-hour lectures and linked screenings, students are introduced to the theories and methodologies through which film studies was established and has evolved as a discipline. Assessment is by a 2,500 word essay and an exam taken at the end of the module (50%).

Objectives

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principal concepts of humanities-based film scholarship ('film theory') and their relevance to our understanding of cinema.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory, criticism and analysis.
3. Apply theoretical models to readings of individual films, cinema institutions and the work of individual filmmakers.
4. Achieve a high technical standard of written presentation in assessed work.

Skills outcomes
- A solid background knowledge of the main theoretical debates and issues which have shaped our understanding of 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

Weeks 1-11

1. Module Introduction – Approaches to Films
2. Walter Benjamin's "The Work of Art" Essay
3. Cinematic Realism – From Bazin to Baudrillard
4. Hollywood's History
5. The Culture Industry - the studio system and its stars
6. Authorship and Genre
7. Nationhood and National Identity - "World Cinema"
8. Non-fiction, Documentary and Realism Today
9. Psychoanalysis, Feminism and Spectatorship
10. Theory in Dispute
11. Conclusion - Ideology and Film

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Film Screenings	11	2.00	22.00
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			146.00
Total Contact hours			54.00
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.

Approx breakdown of study time:
Background Reading/Viewing and Essay preparation - 120 hours
Essay writing - 26 hours
An extensive collection of books, journals and DVDs is available in the Edward Boyle Library to support this private study, and we are continually adding to it.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Monitoring of Seminar contribution
Monitoring of electronic seminar forum contribution

Methods of assessment

Coursework

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

If you are required to resit the essay component then you must select an alternative title from the module handbook.

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: 26/04/2017

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