FI928-30 Film and Social Change
Introductory description
Film has an extraordinary power to move us, but can it affect or even effect change? This module explores the potential of film to impact upon personal, social and political experiences and events.
Module aims
This module will address how various film theories – such as spectatorship, post-colonial and ethical theory – locate and refigure the agency of those watching, and how various film movements, filmmakers and film practices reanimate this agency for socio-political goals.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The syllabus moves from mainstream Western paradigms to much lauded counter-narratives to more marginal examples. New technologies and platforms become increasingly significant as the module tracks an alternative history of the power of film into the Digital Age.
W1: Ideology
W2: Resistant Readings
W3: Revolutionary Film
W4: Radical Filmmaking
W5: Community and Participatory Film
W7: Film and Activism I: In/Visibility
W8: Film and Activism II: Case study
W9: Digital Platforms and Embedded Film Practice
W10: Human Rights Film Culture
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Provide sound and accurate accounts of how theoretical approaches locate and refigure the agency of those watching film texts
- Critically interpret and evaluate how effective film, film movements and film practices are in creating individual and/or socio-political impact.
- Bring into dialogue the textual strategies of the film and the socio-political import of its context
- Verbally articulate this dialogue in an original, critically engaged and persuasive manner
- Demonstrate an ability to offer complex, nuanced and detailed analyses of film texts
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
This module develops skills of audio-visual literacy, through close textual and/or contextual analysis in relation to the moving image and sound. It may also develops understandings of historical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks relevant to screen arts and cultures.
Transferable skills
- critical and analytical thinking in relation
- independent research skills
- team work
- clarity and effectiveness of communication, oral and written
- accurate, concise and persuasive writing
- audio-visual literacy
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 2 hours (6%) |
| Other activity | 18 hours (6%) |
| Private study | 195 hours (65%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (20%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
46 hours of additional screenings
Reading, research and preparation for classes
Other activity description
In-class 2 hour screening each week
- 2 hour required viewing each week
- 2 x 2 hour additional viewing each week
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Individual Presentation | 10% | 10 hours | No |
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The presentation will apply the week's themes and required reading to an additional film of their choice. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Assessed Essay | 90% | 50 hours | No |
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Students will design their own essay title in consultation with the module leader. The essay will address the relationship between film and social change drawing closely on critical material and close readings of audiovisual texts. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
All students will receive written feedback on their presentations and can gain additional verbal feedback on their presentations during a tutorial. This will perform a formative role for their assessed essays too. They will receive written summative feedback on their assessed essays.
Courses
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 1 of TFIA-W5P1 Postgraduate Taught Film and Television Studies
- Year 1 of TFIA-W5P3 Postgraduate Taught Film and Television Studies (For Research)
This module is Option list D for:
- Year 1 of TPHA-V7PN Postgraduate Taught Philosophy and the Arts