2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FILM2110 Cinema in France: The Seventh Art

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: David Platten
Email: D.P.Platten@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is mutually exclusive with

FREN2200	The Seventh Art - Cinema in France
FREN2205	The Seventh Art - Cinema in France

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module introduces students to the history and the specific character and qualities of French cinema, from its origins at the end of the 19th century to the present. Film, the ‘seventh art’, has played an important role in French culture – both 'high' and popular – since the medium was invented in France by French engineers (the Lumiere brothers). Experience suggests that current generations of students already possess a high (if not always conscious) degree of visual literacy, which can rapidly be 'operationalised'. The module provides a grounding in film studies as a discipline, by familiarizing students with its modes of analysis and key concepts in order to enable to articulate and put into practice their existing visual literacy. Cinema will also be studied within the wider context of French society and history, contributing to students' overall knowledge of French national culture. Through the use of seminar presentations and debate, as well as 'interactive' lectures, students will be encouraged to play an active role in analysis and discussion from early in the module.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge of key aspects of the history of French cinema from its origins to the present;
2. critically analyse a film or film extract demonstrating awareness of the contribution of formal components to meaning;
3. identify, apply and discuss some key concepts on French film studies (eg. auteurism, poetic realism);
4. understand and analyse critically relevant aspects of French cultural history;
5. show ability to gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources.

Learning outcomes
1. Enhanced knowledge of the history and specificities of French cinema, both from a cinematic and cultural point of view, and of its impact on world cinemas;
2. Awareness of the historical, social, and political contexts from which French cinema emerges and to which it responds;
3. Enhanced cinematographic literacy and ability to analyze films critically.

Skills outcomes
Cinematic literacy

Syllabus

We will study films from the earliest silent 'shorts' made by the Lumiere brothers and Georges Melies around 1900, through the golden age of the 1930s (Renoir, Carne), on to the Nouvelle Vague (Godard, Truffaut) and the contemporary period (Subway, La Haine, Un long dimanche de fiancailles and more). Students should note that they will be required to watch the films outside the module teaching hours - film showings will be organised approximately once a fortnight.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will be expected to prepare for seminars and the assessments by a) watching set films + secondary viewings and reading selected texts, b) preparing group presentations, c) reflecting on specific research questions, d) carrying out bibliographical research
Additionally, in preparation for the assessments, students will be expected to a) hand in practice essay in semester 1, b) be active in seminar discussions, c) give feedback and ask questions after weekly seminar presentations, d) conduct independent research using the library sources

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored in the following ways:
Formal written formative feedback on practice essay during semester 1 and on the first piece of work at the start of Semester 2.
Informal formative feedback on oral presentations in both semesters and on seminar contributions throughout.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 word essay 1 (submitted in January)	50.00
Essay	1,500 word essay 2 (submitted in January)	50.00
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: 29/04/2024 16:18:28

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