(Group A) European Cinemas in Context
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)
This core module is a prerequisite to the optional modules on the MA programme. It examines the concept of European cinema, as a theoretical, historical and economic construct. The first part of the module requires students to critically engage with theories of national and transnational cinema to consider just what might be meant by ‘European’ cinema (and indeed if such a cinema even exists). In so doing, we will consider how European cinema has been imagined, theorised and categorised in economic, political, cultural, ideological and aesthetic terms. The second part of the module will use of series of case studies based on particular movements and moments from key European cinemas as a means of testing out the theories and concepts put forward in part one.
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 registration for existing students (Group B): Friday 5th September 2008
Module overview
Film and reading list
Tutor details
How to apply
Course preparation
Learning Outcomes
The module introduces students to each of the five nations’ cinemas through which they will acquire a comparative framework and understanding of some of the major film industries in Europe. Students will acquire the ability to:
Module Specific Skills:
- Engage with theorizing around questions of national cinemas (in historic, cultural, economic and ideological contexts);
- Question the benefits and limitations of the framework of national cinema(s);
Discipline Specific Skills:
- Show the capacity to analyse films from an historical and theoretical perspective and in ways that take aesthetic, institutional and cultural factors and methodological issues into account;
- 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;
- 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 discussion forum;
- Contribute to group discussion;
- Research, plan and write an essay to a specified length and deadline;
- Demonstrate independent and critical thinking.
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. A 'unit' of course material will be released every week for students to work through and class discussions on the material will take place in the online forum. An electronic reading pack will also be made available to students at the start of the course.
Students are required to participate with tutors and each other in the discussion forum, and readings and viewings may be set which form the basis of these online discussions. Students are also required to post responses to individual questions set by the module tutors in the discussion forum as part of their assessment. Class discussions are asynchronous - i.e. students do not need to be online at a 'set' time - they can leave and collect messages at a time suitable for them. Essay consultation takes place with the relevant tutor by telephone, internet phone (e.g. Skype), e-mail or via the discussion forum for this module.
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
Students are expected to complete all required viewing and reading as directed by module tutors in order to participate in the online discussion forum.
Assessment
To gain credits for this module, students will be marked on the following assessments:
- One essay of 5000 words (90% of module mark). The essay can be comparative or focused on one national cinema.
- Participation in the discussion forum (10% of module mark).
