2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL1050 Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture

20 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Jonathan Smith
Email: J.Smith6@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Images, music, videos and objects make up most of the culture we produce and consume. How do we make meaning of them? And how do they achieve cultural significance and value? This module introduces the tools necessary to examine various forms of audio-visual culture, and its dynamics of production and consumption. Students will 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:

1. Provide students with the basic coordinates for the analysis of images, music, videos, and artifacts/exhibitions in their formal and socio-cultural significance;
2. Introduce and problematize key theoretical concepts that can be applied to the study of audio-visual culture;
3. Provide students with specific approaches to understand the social variables involved in the production, consumption and engagement of sounds, images and objects, and their roles before and in the age of digital reproduction;
4. Enable students to present a nuanced understanding of a variety of audio-visual phenomena in both informal discussion and formal written work

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1. Use of key concepts that can be applied to the analysis of images, music, videos and artifacts/exhibitions;
2. Application of the essential terminology used for working with audio-visual texts;
3. Application of specific approaches for the understanding of production, consumption and engagement of sounds and images and their role in the production of meaning;
4. Consideration of social and political issues that regulate the production and consumption of audio-visual culture.
Skills Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

5. Analytical skills to unpack specific elements of a phenomenon
6. Presentation of informed arguments supported by assessment of evidence
7. Production of pieces of formal reporting and academic writing
8. Information searching and assessment of reliability of sources.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

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

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The summative feedback on semester 1 essays will be aimed at providing formative feedback for students’ improvement for their semester 2 essays. 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 at each seminar, as regards individuals’ contribution to group and class discussion and students’ ability to apply theories introduced during the lectures to actual cases.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Source Analysis	Analysis (1,500 words)	50.00
Essay	Essay (1,500 words)	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: 20/05/2024

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