Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Aims
- Introduce students to films, filmmakers and movements that form part of a diverse, evolving realist tradition in British cinema- Familiarise students with the forms, styles, themes and historical contexts of different movements in British film history ¿ including Griersonian documentaries, 1960s New Wave films, film collectives in the 1970s-80s, and the contemporary movement of `new realism¿ in British cinema- Enable students to learn about the socio-cultural, political and industrial contexts of social realist filmmaking and to analyse representations of class, age, race, gender and sexuality using a range of conceptual approaches and theoretical concepts - Introduce students to debates surrounding realism and social realism in screen studies ¿ including theories on realism; definitions of social, moral and poetic realism; British national cinema; regional or local identities; politics, authorship and aesthetics.
Intended Learning Outcomes
recognise a range of British social realist films and movements, and the various, mutable forms and traditions of realist film practice: 1,2gain and apply knowledge and understanding of British film history ¿ including major movements like the Griersonian documentary movement and the 1960s New Wave and more recent `new realism¿: 1,2develop their existing skills in close film analysis ¿ and explore key aspects of film form including mise-en-scène, cinematography and performance in close detail: 1,2develop skills in applying a range of theoretical concepts and approaches in Film Studies, and in exploring films within their social, cultural, political and industrial contexts: 1,2adopt and apply methodologies, drawing on secondary historical studies and primary archival texts in seminars and independent research: 1,2
24 hours ¿ seminars [12 x 2 hour weekly seminars]22 hours ¿ film watching [11 x 2 hour screenings]48 hours ¿ seminar preparation18 hours ¿ preparation/work on first assessment 38 hours ¿ essay research and writing
Description of Module Assessment
1: Short Paper weighted 30%Film Treatment/Scene AnalysisStudents will produce EITHER a) 1250-word treatment for a social realist film project, outlining the chosen subject/story and justifying creative decisions within the wider and more recent history/understanding of social realist film, OR b) a 1250-word close analysis of a sequence from a chosen film, not discussed on the module, looking at its aesthetic choices and discussing them in relation to the history and theories of social realist film.
2: Essay weighted 70%EssayStudents will produce a 2000 word essay, based on one of a set of questions provided [these questions will cover all concepts, issues and historical contexts covered on the module]. Students may also construct their own essay question with advice from the module convenor.