2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF3173 Movies, Migrants and Diasporas

20 creditsClass Size: 18

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are expected to come equipped with research and essay writing skills appropriate to Level Three of undergraduate study. They should have experience in the analysis of cinematic texts or other cultural artefacts/practices. They should have worked with theoretical texts on culture, film, literature or art and should have had some encounters with cultural diversity in their studies or elsewhere.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is dedicated to migration and diaspora in Europe as reflected in the cinema. It introduces students to the work of filmmakers with, for example, German Turkish, Black or Asian British, Maghrebi French, Roma or Jewish backgrounds, productions made by transnational Eastern European practitioners and films about migration and diaspora created by non-migrant/diasporic writers and directors.

Objectives

This module is dedicated to migration and diaspora in Europe as reflected in the cinema. It introduces students to the work of filmmakers with, for example, German Turkish, Black or Asian British, Maghrebi French, Roma or Jewish backgrounds, productions made by transnational Eastern European practitioners and films about migration and diaspora created by non-migrant/diasporic writers and directors.

The module situates cultural (film) analysis – as introduced and practised at Levels One and Two – within the wider field of postcolonial studies and diaspora criticism. The guided engagement with a selection of theoretical texts and relevant films enables students to recognise and discuss analytically the relationship between the (popular) representation of migrant and diasporic experiences and the socio-political discourses of ethnicity, ‘race’, immigration, national identity and cultural diversity. The module encourages reflection on the students’ own position in and vis-à-vis Europe.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:
- identify narrative films about migration and diaspora in Europe and distinguish between different approaches to the representation of multicultural and multilingual Europe
- They will be able to find and process information about social and historical contexts
- Analyse a film of their choice with recourse to the theoretical texts discussed in this and previously attended modules
- Discuss and write about the audiovisual representation of migrants and diasporic subjects in a culturally sensitive, analytically acute and theoretically informed manner.
The module invites students to influence the syllabus and direction of the module by drawing on and presenting – through digital storytelling –their own background, special interests and/or knowledge.

Skills outcomes
Introduction to digital storytelling
Introduction to film review writing

Syllabus

While the module is primarily concerned with filmic representations, it nevertheless refers to the social realities of migrant and diasporic communities in contemporary Europe. These have become so diverse and manifold that a comprehensive coverage is not possible. The module is therefore designed to draw on the interests, backgrounds, language skills and specific cultural knowledge of participating students. Participants will be asked to present a digital self-portrait and, if possible, the syllabus will be customised (choice of films and central themes) in response to these portraits.
Indicative areas to be covered in this module are: Migration, Diaspora and the Cinema; Old and New Diasporas; From National to Transnational Cinema; The Multicultural City; Gender and Generation; 'Race,' Ethnicity and Identity; Music and Youth Films; Interethnic Romance and other Crosscultural Encounters; Undocumented Migrants and Labour in 'Fortress Europe;' Queering the Diaspora; The 'Mythical Return' and other Journeys; Europe's Internal 'Others.'
The module will consist of short lecture parts, film screenings and interactive seminars.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Film Screenings	9	2.00	18.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			4.00
Private study hours			158.00
Total Contact hours			38.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students prepare a digital self-portrait introduce themselves and their background with special reference to migration and mobility. Private study time is also dedicated to module readings, additional screenings and writing the assessed essay.

Prior to the teaching period, students enrolled in the module will be directed to online tutorials about digital storytelling (including introduction to and case studies of the genre, use of respective image software and the recording of sound, e.g. Audacity). All tutorials and software packages are free of charge.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module leader is available in office hours and by appointment to address any individual queries.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3000 words	70.00
Project	Digital self-portrait (3 mins)	0.00
Assignment	Film review - 800-1000 words	30.00
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: 23/07/2024 15:49:00

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