MA in Film Studies: Modules for Group A

Research Methodologies in Film Studies (core module for all awards)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 6th October 2008
End Date: Friday 20th March 2009
Final assessment to be submitted: Tuesday 5th May 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)

This module provides Film MA distance learning students with training in research methodologies for film studies. It is a core module to the programme, a prerequisite to all other modules, and therefore students should take it as their first module.
>> more information about the Research Methodologies in Film Studies module

European Cinemas in Context (core module for all awards)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 6th October 2008
End Date: Friday 12th December 2008
Assessment to be submitted: Monday 19th January 2009
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.
>> more information about the European Cinemas in Context module

Space and European Cinemas in the 20th Century (optional module)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 6th October 2008
End Date: Friday 12th December 2008
Final assessment to be submitted: Monday 19th January 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)

This module enables students to work in a multidisciplinary area and to acquire a philosophical perspective of contemporary cinema.
>> more information about the Space and European Cinemas module

Stars (optional module)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 6th October 2008
End Date: Friday 12th December 2008
Assessment to be submitted: Monday 19th January 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)

This module investigates how Stars become iconic; how they are signs of the indigenous cultural codes, as well as embodiments of resistance to (or reflections of) ideological institutions. We shall also examine how Stars reflect national preoccupations and the ways in which we derive pleasure from their performance.
>> more information about the Stars module

Digital Video-Making (optional module)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 12th January 2009
End Date: Friday 20th March 2009
Assessment to be submitted: Monday 11th May 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (independent study supported by online discussion)

In this module students will make and submit a 4-5 minute short film working on Digital Video (DV). The film can be a documentary, a narrative film or video-art but must be an example of theory-based practice. This module is for students who have previous experience of DV filmmaking. Students must ensure that they have access to DV equipment (cameras and editing facilities) before selecting this module.
>> more information about the Digital Video-Making module

Dissertation (Film MA) (core module for masters award)
Level: M     Credits: 60
Start Date: Students who have a compelling case to begin their dissertation from 6th October 2008 are asked to please contact the Programme Director. All other students will begin this module on Monday 12th January 2009.
Assessment to be submitted: By mid-September 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (email)

This module is undertaken by students independently, with support from tutors via email. It provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate how the theoretical and methodological issues of their MA relate to a topic of their choice. Students can opt for a written dissertation, or dissertation by film; those chosing dissertation by film must demonstrate how the film theory, on the modules they have studied, informs their film practice.
>> more information about the Film MA Dissertation module

European Directors (optional module)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 12th January 2009
End Date: Friday 20th March 2009
Assessment to be submitted: Tuesday 5th May 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)

This optional module introduces students to some of the major European directors across both art cinema and popular mainstream cinema. Students will study these directors in the historical, cultural and economic context of the director's national cinema, and will consider how these directors work within, but also (and where appropriate) beyond, the framework and confines of their national cinema.
>> more information about the European Directors module

Tsai Ming-liang and a Cinema of Slowness (optional module)
Level: M     Credits: 30
Start Date: Monday 12th January 2009
End Date: Friday 20th March 2009
Assessment to be submitted: Tuesday 5th May 2009
Delivery: Distance Learning (Online)

Tsai Ming-liang, a Taiwan-based film director, is one of the most innovative filmmakers in world cinemas today. This module will examine all of Tsai's feature films to date, and explore the idea of slowness in relation to theoretical discourses on time and realism in cinema, as well as to recent social phenomena such as the slow food movement. It will also provide opportunities to apply these concepts to other films in contemporary world cinema.
>> more information about the Tsai Ming-liang module