Film Studies Minor (Level 2)
Media, Communications and Culture Dual Honours (Level 2)
Media, Communications and Culture Minor (Level 2)
This module seeks to introduce students to some of the great works of world cinema and to investigate the major ideological tendencies of the twentieth-century and key moments in modern and contemporary politics as these have been reflected in film. Topics central to this module include revolution, totalitarianism, nationalism and terrorism. The scope is international and settings include North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Films studied on the course are likely to include: Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now; Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11; Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin; Askoldov's Commissar; Mikhalkov's Burnt by the Sun; The Lives of Others; Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley; Neil Jordan's Michael Collins; Pontecorvo's The Battle of Algiers; Kevin Macdonald's One Day in September; Spielberg's Munich.
The module will not presume any knowledge of film, but will nevertheless regard the films as cinematic works. The main focus will be on events, ideas and political developments, and how they are reflected cinematically. A general background knowledge of the twentieth century will be important although this module will not require deep specialist knowledge of any given country.
To use these works to develop an understanding of the relationships between politics and culture;
To enable students to evaluate and apply theoretical, methodological and practical approaches to the study of the media and culture;
To refine those skills which will enable students to analyse closely, interpret, and show the exercise of critical judgement in the understanding of political film in its contemporary and historical contexts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between politics and culture through specific examples will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Show competence in the evaluation and application of theoretical, methodological and practical approaches to the study of the media and culture will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
analyse, interpret and criticise texts and films and to develop arguments which make creative use of political and cinematic materials to interpret the historical and contemporary worlds.
will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
carry out independent critical anlysis of cinematic materials will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
articulate ideas in coherent and concise and clear written form will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
38 hours seminar preparation
60 hours assessment preparation
30 hours film viewing
Students will write an essay chosen from a list of approximately ten questions distributed at the start of the course.
Students select two essay-style questions from a list of approximately ten options. The questions will be based on the module contents selected .
This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.