School of Humanities  
 
 
FIL-10001 Reading Film  
Co-ordinator: Dr Neil Archer   Tel:33202  
Teaching Team: Mrs Christine  Edge, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Mr William  Davies,  Darren  Kerr  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
American Studies Dual Honours (Level 1)
American Studies Minor (Level 1)
American Studies Single Honours (Level 1)
English and American Literatures Single Honours (Level 1)
English with Creative Writing Single Honours (Level 1)
English Dual Honours (Level 1)
English Major (Level 1)
English Minor (Level 1)
English Single Honours (Level 1)
Media, Communications and Culture Dual Honours (Level 1)
Media, Communications and Culture Minor (Level 1)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
None

Description

Of all forms of communication, film often seems the most obvious, pleasurable and self-explanatory. With an emphasis on variety of film practice, this module aims to introduce students to the essential elements of film narrative and engage them in thinking critically about the choices made by film-makers in constructing the look and sound of their films. We will be asking, therefore, how meaning is created in the cinema, as well as what ideas and arguments such meanings may generate among critically aware spectators of it. In doing so we will be exploring the richness and complexity of cinema's potential to communicate with its spectators through a carefully selected variety of films. Represented amongst these will not only be the classic Hollywood model with which we are all most familiar, but also films from other national and artistic traditions. These will be examined in the context of both fortnightly lecture/workshops and weekly small group classes.
Aims
To familiarise students with essential terminology and concepts used in film analysis
To identify and analysis through diverse examples the five key areas of film aesthetics
To enable students to practice close film analysis through verbal and written exercises
Intended Learning Outcomes
engage in detailed film analysis using appropriate terminology accurately. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
write concisely and competently, in both short and extended written forms, about a variety of forms of cinema. will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
identify and describe the defining features of film narrative. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
discuss the role of different aspects of film aesthetics in the production of narrative meaning in the cinema. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
interact confidently with dvd film technology. will be achieved by assessments: 1
interact confidently and regularly with WebCT, as well as other electronic and online resources. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2,3
work as part of a group to deliver a clear presentation of a set of ideas about a film. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Study hours
6 x 2 hour lectures = 12 hours
12 x 1 hour small group classes = 12 hours
Weekly 2 hour screening = 20 hours
Class and presentation preparation: 45 hours
Essay writing and preparation: 40 hours
WebCT exercises: 20 hours
Personal consultation and feedback: 1 hour
Description of Module Assessment
01: Presentation weighted 10%
Class presentation
Group presentation (groups of 3-4) lasting no more than 10 minutes in which students will present a brief film analysis based on one short clip of film and referring to some of the key film aesthetics terms covered in the module.
02: Essay weighted 70%
2250 word essay.
Students will answer one question from a list provided. All questions will ask students to analyse in detail aspects of film aesthetics through one example from the films on the course.
03: Webct weighted 20%
2 x WebCT tests
In weeks 4 &8 students will take a WebCT test based on the set reading material covered in the first instance and providing a thorough essay plan in the second instance. Students will be expected to show clear knowledge of key information and terms used in film analysis.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.