(Group A) Research Methodologies in Film Studies
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)
This module provides Film MA distance learning students with training in research methodologies for film studies. Students will learn how to correctly reference written academic work while critically evaluating current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline through series of set readings and viewings. It is a core module to the programme, a prerequisite to all other modules, and therefore students should take it as their first module.
Deadlines
Applications to the Film MA Programme from new students: Thursday 31st July 2008
Module registration for all new students: Friday 5th September 2008
Module registration for existing students (Group A): Monday 1st September 2008
Module overview
Film and reading list
Tutor details
How to apply
Course preparation
Aim
- To ensure students understand how to correctly reference written academic work and how to use the online research tools and databases available both at the University Library and through the Web.
- To introduce or re-familiarise students with a key set of theoretical debates in Film Studies (e.g. auteur theory, genre, feminist film theory).
Syllabus Plan
This course will run as follows:
- Term One: Monday 6th October 2008 – Friday 12th December
- Christmas Break: Monday 15th December – Friday 9th January 2009
- Term Two: Monday 12th January – Friday 20th March
This is the order in which the course material will be studied:
Term One
Weeks 1 and 2
Study Topic One: What is research?
Weeks 3 and 4
Study Topic Two: Film language
Weeks 5 and 6
Study Topic Three: Realism and ideology
Weeks 7 and 8
Study Topic Four: Digital cinema
Weeks 9 and 10
Assessment study time
Term Two
Weeks 1 and 2
Study Topic Five: Auteur theory re-considered
Weeks 3 and 4
Study Topic Six: Questions of genre
Weeks 5 and 6
Study Topic Seven: Feminist film theory
Weeks 7 and 8
Study Topic Eight: Film and philosophy: Deleuze
Weeks 9 and 10
Assessment study time
Learning / Teaching Methods
This course is delivered via the internet using an online educational environment called WebCT. Students will be given a username and password to log in to the course. Each week students will be given set readings and questions to download. Students will be expected consider the questions in relation to the readings and give their responses in the online discussion area as well as commenting on responses given by other students. The final two weeks of each term are given to writing up assessments.
Class discussions are asynchronous - i.e. students do not need to be online at a 'set' time - they can read, leave and collect messages at a time suitable for them. This enables class discussions to continue across different time zones, as well as allowing students time to consider the points being raised.
A chat room facility is also available. This is entirely optional, but students can arrange a mutually convenient time to communicate with each other 'instantly', by means of this facility, if they would like more immediate contact with others studying this subject.
Assignments
For each two-week study topic, students will be given study questions based on readings, which will be provided, and on films which they are expected to source themselves (see Film and reading list for details of films for each study topic). Students are expected to complete the readings and film viewings and to respond to the study questions in Discussions by the end of each study topic.
Assessment
To gain credits for this module, students will be marked on the following assessments:
One word-processed working bibliography relevant to the degree being taken by the student, consisting of a preface in continuous prose of 3,000 words (50% of total mark) outlining:
- the resources available and/or used
- the reason for choosing these particular resources as opposed to other similar ones
- what additional specialist information was necessary or might be necessary at a future stage
- what the relative advantages/disadvantages of electronic or printed bibliographies are
- why compilation took certain directions
- why various headings/subheadings in the bibliography are useful
and the bibliography per se, with its material presented and arranged according to the criteria outlined in the preface, following a named stylebook, e.g. MHRA or Harvard.
One word-processed essay of 4500 words (50% of total mark) which uses one of the elements of film theory discussed over the course and applies it to an analysis of a particular, director, genre, national cinema or star that has been studied on the MA.
Intended Outcomes
Module specific skills:
- To gain a clear understanding of various methodological approaches to the discipline of film studies (archival, empirical, theoretical, semiotic. philosophical) and what constitutes good research practice in the context of the subject discipline
- To evaluate the various research methodologies studied on the module and assess their relative strengths and weaknesses
- Engage critically with the various theoretical approaches to film studies examined on the module.
Discipline specific skills:
- Ability to apply consistent bibliographical style following a recognised style manual.
- Access and use in a critical manner visual, printed and electronic learning resources identified as useful by the module tutor and find other useful materials independently.
- Argue at length and in detail about aspects of the theories studied, supporting the argument with textual evidence or with opinions from other relevant theorists.
- Mount a detailed argument in the appropriate register of English, using a range of textual and contextual evidence in its support.
Personal and key skills:
- Undertake research activities with a measure of autonomy.
- Present information and arguments on a particular topic in an online environment.
- Contribute to group discussion in an online forum.
- Research, plan and write an essay to a specified length and deadline.
- Demonstrate independent and critical thinking.
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
