2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL1050 Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Elisabetta Adami
Email: e.adami@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Traditionally, studies of a culture begin with an exploration of its key literary works. But what about, for example, its audio-visual texts: its art, its film and its music? And how has the advent of the digital age transformed such communication?This module provides students with tools necessary to examine various forms of audio-visual culture, and introduces them to a number of the key issues necessary for a fuller understanding of how and why audio-visual culture is produced and consumed across different historical and social contexts. Students will thus be exposed to a variety of cultural objects from across the world and from different historical periods.

Objectives

The objectives of the module are to:
- Raise awareness of different audio-visual phenomena from a variety of historical and socio-cultural contexts, and develop media-specific tools for analysing them;
- Introduce and problematize key theoretical concepts that can be applied to the study of audio-visual culture;
- Provide students with an understanding of economies of sounds and images and their roles before and in the age of digital reproduction;
- Enable students to present a nuanced understanding of a variety of audio-visual phenomena in both informal discussion and formal written work

Learning outcomes
- An understanding of key theoretical concepts that can be applied to the study of audio-visual culture;
- Knowledge of the essential terminology used for working with audio-visual texts, such as mise-en-scene;
- Knowledge of the global economy of sounds and images and their role in the production of meaning;
- An understanding of social and political issues that regulate the production and consumption of audio-visual culture.

Skills outcomes
On completion of the module, students should have acquired:
- skills of working with audio-visual culture, both theoretical (for example, tools enabling students to categorise audio-visual phenomena in the historical as well as national perspective) and practical (for example, making film stills and film clips, storing and retrieving audio files);
- transferable skills: ability to work in multi-media, multi-cultural environments; ability to conduct independent research that involves a study of audio-visual culture; ability to work effectively within multi-lingual, multi-media environments and artefacts;
- the ability to utilise selected audio-visual concepts and tools;
- the ability to engage critically with other audio-visual cultures.

Syllabus

Semester 1: Formal Analysis of Audio-Visual Culture
Semester 2: Key Concepts in the Study of Audio-Visual Culture

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	12	1.00	12.00
Seminar	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading and viewing for lectures and seminars; writing up notes of and preparation for presenting outcomes in seminars; researching and writing essays.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formal formative feedback on essays will be provided in the form of marksheets attached to each essay. Semester 2 will also begin with a feedback class in which general aspects of the January essay will be flagged.
Informal formative feedback will be provided in class as regards individuals’ contribution to group and class discussion.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words	50.00
Essay	Audio Visual Analysis Essay	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: 11/10/2023

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