School of Humanities  
 
 
FIL-30005 Parody in British Film and Television  
Co-ordinator: Dr Neil Archer   Tel:33202  
Teaching Team: Mrs Christine  Edge, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts,  Darren  Kerr  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Film Studies Dual Honours (Level 3)
Film Studies Minor (Level 3)
Media, Communications and Culture Dual Honours (Level 3)
Media, Communications and Culture Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
None

Description

The aim of this module is to consider and critically discuss the place of parody as a mode in British film and television, focusing on such examples as the films of Monty Python, recent Channel 4 comedy, and British science fiction on the big and small screen. The module looks to situate parody as a specific tendency in British film and television production, considering the kinds of aesthetic approaches such texts employ, the cultural identities they work to produce, and the types of cultural debates surrounding them.
The module will involve detailed textual and contextual analysis of the chosen texts, considering the ways in which parody works as an aesthetic practice. At the same time, we will think about the kinds of debates generated by parody as an increasingly dominant mode in global film and television production: Is parody subversive or conservative? How can parody be used to explore and interrogate issues of representation? How do audiences relate to parody texts? In what ways do tendencies in parody reflect changes in the status of cultural texts, and attitudes to these texts?
In line with these questions, the module will focus on the specific meanings of parody within a British context. In what way, for example, does the British tendency toward parody reflect a critical or subservient relationship to dominant (American) film and television production? What forms of national identity are constructed through the parody of such texts? How might the industrial, economic and technological circumstances of British film and television dictate the parodic form of much of its output?
Aims
To critically analyse and discuss parody as a mode of representation in British film and television; to be able to analyse and discuss parody texts in critical detail; to consider the contexts of parody as a mode of production; to consider the relationship of parody to popular conceptions of culture and taste
Intended Learning Outcomes
Employ modes of textual analysis in order to consider and discuss film/television texts and their cultural significance will be achieved by assessments: 01/02/03
Situate a range of film and television texts in their cultural and historical contexts will be achieved by assessments: 01/02/03
Argue comparatively across a range of texts and themes will be achieved by assessments: 02/03
Construct detailed analysis and synthesis of film and television theory applied to film and television texts will be achieved by assessments: 01/02/03
Present detailed spoken arguments and respond capably to questions will be achieved by assessments: 01
Reflect critically upon their own experience and habits of viewing film and television will be achieved by assessments: 02
Study hours
12x 2-hour seminars, 5x2-hour screenings, 1 hour individual tutorial/feedback
15 hours for group presentation preparation
100 hours seminar and written-assessment preparation
Description of Module Assessment
01: Group Presentation weighted 20% (min pass mark of 30)
Group presentation based on chosen text
Group presentation based on chosen text, combining textual and contextual analysis, supported by reference to critical reading
02: Essay weighted 40% (min pass mark of 30)
2000 word essay
One essay from a list of approximately five choices, based on key readings and screened films/programmes
03: Exam weighted 40% (min pass mark of 30)
2 hour exam
Two-hour exam based on the texts and themes discussed on the module, where students will be asked to address two questions from a choice of five.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

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