Faculty of Arts
MODULE/UNIT
DESCRIPTOR
Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module/unit
Aims
Learning outcomes
Content
Teaching and
learning strategies
Reading Practices 1
HD462
4
20
None
Core
- to develop students’ appreciation of the significance of textual
analysis in Film and Screen Studies
- to develop students’ critical thinking abilities in relation to screen
texts
- to increase students’ awareness of the complexities of screen
texts
- to develop students’ awareness of the communication of
meanings and creation of pleasures in screen texts
- to introduce students to a range of screen texts which can be
critically explored in Film and Screen Studies
- to develop students’ basic academic skills of research, reasoning
and articulation
By the completion of this module students will be able to
demonstrate:
- an ability to practice skills of textual analysis in the context of Film
and Screen Studies
- an appreciation of the significance of textual analytical
approaches to screen texts and the ability to think critically about
them
- the ability to identify key screen techniques and their significance
in the creation of meaning and pleasure
- development of academic skills, including the production of a
written referenced arguments and reviews presented in an
appropriately academic style
Reading Practices 1 provides a basic introduction to key
techniques, styles, genres and forms of screen texts. Seminars
focus on one particular technique – e.g. editing, sound and music,
use of mise en scene – and, through structured exercises, students
are shown how to deconstruct, analyze and interpret screen texts.
Simultaneously, students are taught to produce degree level
assessed work through structured research and writing tasks,
reviews, a weekly logbook and an essay.
In weekly three-hour seminars, students are introduced to the basic
techniques, styles, genres and forms of screen texts. Seminars are
organized so as to focus on specific audio-visual aspects of screen
texts and the ways in which they generate meanings and
pleasures. Through this, students learn textual analytical
approaches to screen texts, and are encouraged to think critically
about them. All assessment methods appraise: skills of textual
analysis, appreciation of the significance of textual analytical
approaches to screen texts, the ability to identify key screen
techniques and think critically about them, and the development of
academic skills, including the production of a referenced argument
presented in an academic style.
Key Information Set
data: Allocation of
study hours to
activities
Where 20 credits = 200 learning
hours
Activity
SCHEDULED
Study hours
36
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations,
practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshop/ studio,
fieldwork, external visits, work-based learning
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY
164
Independent study including wider reading/ practice, follow-up work,
completion of assessment tasks, revision etc
PLACEMENT
0
Learning away from the University that is not a year abroad or workbased learning
Learning support
Seminars; tutorials; electronic learning environment; bibliography;
Box of Broadcasts screening playlists
Indicative reading:
Pramaggiore, M and Wallis, T. Film: a Critical Introduction. London:
Lawrence King, 2011
Bordwell, D and Thompson, K. Film Art: an Introduction-9th Edition.
London: McGraw Hill, 2010
Hayward, S. Cinema Studies: the Key Concepts 2nd Edition.
London: Routledge, 2000
Monaco, J. How to Read a Film. Oxford: OUP, 2009
Nelmes, J. Introduction to Film Studies. London: Routledge 2007
Assessment tasks
1,000 word Film Report (20%)
The report will be assessed on the extent to which the students
have demonstrated:
- basic skills of textual analysis
- appreciation of the significance of textual analytical approaches to
screen texts and the ability to think critically about them
- ability to identify key screen techniques and their significance in
the production of meaning and pleasure
- basic academic skills, including the production of a referenced
review presented in an academic style
2,000 word Essay (30%)
The essay will be assessed on the extent to which the students
have demonstrated:
- basic skills of textual analysis
- appreciation of the significance of textual analytical approaches to
screen texts and the ability to think critically about them
- ability to identify key screen techniques and their significance in
the production of meaning and pleasure
- basic academic skills, including the production of a referenced
review presented in an academic style
Logbook (50%)
The logbook will be assessed on the extent to which the students
have demonstrated:
- basic skills of textual analysis
- appreciation of the significance of textual analytical approaches to
screen texts and the ability to think critically about them
- ability to identify key screen techniques and their significance in
the production of meaning and pleasure
- basic academic skills, including the production of a referenced
review presented in an academic style
Key Information Set
data:
Type of assessment
tasks
Activity
WRITTEN
Summative assessment tasks
which lead to the award of credit
or which are required for
progression (expressed as a
whole number)
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output
%
0
Written exam
COURSEWORK
PRACTICAL
100
0
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment
OTHER
0
Set exercises assessing application of knowledge, analytical, problemsolving or evaluative skills
Brief description of
module/unit content
and/or aims
(maximum 80 words)
Area examination
board to which
module/unit relates
Module or unit team/
authors/coordinator
Semester offered,
where appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of
this version
Version number
Replacement for
previous module/unit
Field for which
module/unit is
acceptable and status
in that field
Course(s) for which
module/unit is
acceptable and status
in that course
School home
External examiner
Reading Practices 1 examines the ways in which screen images
are produced, as well as their meanings, pleasures and
significance. The unit introduces students to the study of screen
texts at degree level through an examination of basic screen styles
and techniques, as well as critical methodological approaches to
screen images and practices and cultures. Students are taught to
produce degree level assessed work through incremental written
assignments (reviews and logbook entries) building up to a more
extensive analytical essay.
Examination Board for Film & Screen Studies
Film & Screen Studies
1
Falmer
September 2011
April 2012
3
Film & Screen Studies - Compulsory
Film & Screen Studies - Compulsory
Humanities
Dr Corin Depper