MFC5602 - Theorising Film

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of theories of the cinema as a distinct art form;
Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between film theories and film practice;
Critically evaluate film theories and apply theoretical concepts to specific films;
Develop independent theoretical approaches to the cinema;
Demonstrate effective research skills;
Demonstrate effective written communication skills;
Demonstrate effective skills in group work and oral presentation.

Content:

This module develops students understanding of theories of cinema and their ability to theorise about the cinema, contributing to their core knowledge of the medium and their critical thinking and research skills.

The first part of the module explores possible answers to the question 'what is cinema?' from a range of approaches, requiring students to critically engage with theories of the cinema as a realistic or illusionistic art form, the impact of the shift from analogue to digital filmmaking technologies on how we conceptualise cinema, and the nature of medium specificity.

The second part of the module looks at the relationship between film theory and film practice through (1) the study of film manifestos and their use by filmmakers in avant-garde cinema, third cinema, and art cinemas, and (2) the use of stylistic devices by filmmakers to emotionally affect audiences and their relation to the psychology of film viewing.

In the course of the module students acquire essential analytical, research, and communication skills so that they can critically evaluate existing theoretical approaches to the cinema, develop theories as general explanations of cinematic phenomena, and communicate their ideas effectively.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The scheduled learning and teaching activities include lectures, screenings, and seminars. The lectures provide the necessary historical-cultural context for that week's topic, and will 8introduce relevant theoretical-analytical concepts or critical writing. Screenings provide examples of the critical and analytical concepts introduced in lectures, and the broad range of films used in this course will expand studnts reference base of films. Seminars provide students with an opportunity to discuss issues raised in the lectures and to voice their own responses to the screenings.

The module runs across two semesters to introduce a range of different types of theorising to students in various aesthetic/philosophical/cultural contexts the the development of skills of analysis, reflection and synthesis. The exploratory nature of the module requires students to develop their own theories of the cinema, both individually and collectively, and this requires the extra time afforded by year-long delivery for students to produce interesting and creative work, and to gain feedback on their work as their ideas evolve.

Lecture
Hours: 20
Intended group size: Cohort

Screening
Hours: 40
Intended group size: Cohort

Seminar
Hours: 20
Intended group size: 15

Guided independent study
Hours: 120

Do all individual components need to be passed to pass the module overall? No
Is this module exempt from condonement of marginal failure? No

Further details relating to assessment
Essay: students will produce a piece of written work exploring theories about the nature of cinema as an art form/medium choosing from a range of questions provided in the module handbook.

Group presentation: students will present a piece of work demonstrating either (1) an understanding of how filmmakers have theorised their practice in the form of a manifesto and how they implemented that manifesto in their films; or (2) an explanation of the decisions of filmmakers to employ any aspect of film form in the context of cognitive theories of film viewing.

Students permitted to take a half-module for the award of 10 credits in semester 1 or 2 will be assessed by the form of assessment specified for that semester:
Semester 1 - Essay 2,000 words
Semester 2 - Group Presentation 10 minutes (15-20 minutes in Q & A)

Assessment:

001 Essay 2000 words end of semester 1 50%
002 Group presentation 10 mins (15-20 mins in Q & A) end of semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL

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