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, communication, and group working skills.

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 engage critically 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 the study of film manifestos and their use by filmmakers in avant-garde cinema, third cinema, art cinemas, theorising technology, and the social impact of cinema.

In the course of the module, students acquire essential analytical, research, and communication skills so that they can evaluate critically 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 introduce 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 students 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 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.

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended group size: Cohort

Screenings
Hours: 40
Intended group size: Cohort

Seminars
Hours: 20
Intended group size: 15

Guided independent study
Hours: 120

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.

Collaborative film manifesto: students will present a collaboratively written piece of work produced in groups of 2 or 3 in which they theorise about a topic in cinema and propose a solution to the problems they identify through a reformation of film practices.

Assessment:

001 Essay; 2000 words; end of semester 1 50%
002 Collaborative film manifesto; 2000 words; 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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