FIL-30011 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module considers the historical emergence of the road movie as a cinematic genre, as well as its more recent developments and potential futures. Looking initially at the mainly American contexts informing its foundation, the module goes on to explore the road movie’s relevance to varied global contexts, and its particular use by certain filmmakers and within particular cinematic contexts of production. A grounding and continued discussion around the theories of the road movie and cinematic movement provide a critical thread throughout the module, forming an important basis for the assessed components. The module overall provides an illuminating overview of the genre in terms of its social relevance, and its importance as a cinematic representation of mobility. Along the way, we will question some of its ideological underpinnings, considering how the road movie has been adapted in light of cultural, political, national and trans-national, and environmental contexts.

To provide a detailed overview of the cultural, political and economic contexts informing the road movie as a genre
To identify how genres such as the road movie develop in relation to broader social factors, especially mobility
To think about the significance of movement within cinema, and how the road movie creates effects by using sound and image
To examine the ways the genre has been incorporated to particular effect across diverse contexts
To consider the impact of contemporary geo-political contexts, and especially globalization on the form and content of the genre
To consider the relevance of the genre in the contemporary contexts of environmental change and imposed migration

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify how genres such as the road movie are formed in relation to social and cultural contexts: 1,2
Understand the meaning and impact of cultural, social, economic and political change on international film production and film form: 1,2
Describe the particular aesthetic strategies and thematic concerns of the road movie genre: 1,2
Identify shifts in style and content of the genre across particular contexts: 1,2
Produce analytical work on case studies of film form: 1,2
Discuss comparative tendencies in film production relating to varied contexts of production: 1,2
Think independently and creatively about the possibilities of the road movie as an expressive form: 1,2

Study hours

10x2 hour lecture/screenings 20 hours
12x2 hours seminar 24 hours
Feedback and consultation 2 hours
Screening and seminar preparation 12x2 hours 24 hours
Preparation: reflect analysis 40 hours
Preparation: Essay 40 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment