2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM1830 Introduction to Cinema

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Alison Peirse
Email: A.Peirse@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module equips students with a broad historical overview of the principal developments in cinema history, from 1895 to the present day. Through a series of ten lectures and linked screenings, students are introduced to the form, culture, economics and ideology of the moving image.

Objectives

The module is a general introduction to the history of cinema, introducing students to key cinematic movements, directors, and genres. It also considers the way in which the medium was shaped by key developments in world history, such as World War Two, and the sexual revolution.

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

1) Describe the general developments in the history of cinema, giving examples of significant films, filmmakers, genres, and movements.
2) Analyse film, drawing on an understanding of form, style, technique, and genre
3) Apply film theory in a close analysis of a film clip
4) Locate and evaluate film scholarship
5) Critically discuss film history in the context of an academic essay.

Syllabus

Indicative topics include early cinema, the emergence of the ‘classical’ system, European art cinema, film noir, neo realism and European New Waves, New Hollywood, post-war world cinema, modern European cinema and contemporary Hollywood.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Film Screenings	10	3.00	30.00
Lecture	10	1.50	15.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			145.00
Total Contact hours			55.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

5 hours per week doing reading and/or exercises in preparation for seminars = 50 hours
105 hours of preparation for assignments
15 hours in lectures
30 hours in screenings
10 hours in seminars

Total = 200 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress and understanding is monitored in seminars through weekly discussions of the film and/or television show and through engagement with the reading material. It can also be monitored through discussions with the module leader during office hours.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x - 2,500 words	60.00
Assignment	Close analysis of a film sequence – 1500 words (from a choice of 4 provided by the module leader). clips provided in week 3.	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 31/08/2023 16:20:00

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