PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Select approval stage
PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION
Course summary
Final award
Intermediate award
Course status
Awarding body
College
School
Location of study/ campus
Partner institution(s)
Name of institution
1.
2.
3.
Admissions
Admissions agency
Entry requirements
Include any progression opportunities into
the course.
BA (Hons) Film & Screen Studies
Dip HE Film & Screen Studies
Cert HE Film & Screen Studies
Validated
University of Brighton
Arts and Humanities
Humanities
Dorset Place
Host department
Course status
SELECT
UCAS
Typical entry requirements. Individual offers may vary.
Applicable for 2015 entry. Check the University website for 2016
entry requirements.
Entrants to the BA (Hons) Film & Screen Studies will normally
have achieved one category from a), b), c), d) or e) as follows.
a) A Level grades BBC or above
b) UCAS tariff: 280 points
c) BTEC National Dip./Cert (Level 3) MMM: individual
assessment
d) IB: 28 points
e) QAA-approved access course: individual assessment
Start date (mmm-yy)
Normally September
Mode of study
Mode of study
Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich
Distance
Course codes/categories
UCAS code
Contacts
Course Leader (or Course
Development Leader)
Admissions Tutor
Applicants whose first language is not English should have
achieved an IELTS score of 7, with 7 in writing.
September 2015
Duration of study
(standard)
3 years
Other: 6 years
Select N/A
Select N/A
Maximum registration period
8 years
8 years
Select N/A
Select N/A
P390
Dr Ewan Kirkland
Dr Ewan Kirkland
Updated: 16 March 2015
Examination and Assessment
Name
External Examiner(s)
Examination Board(s)
(AEB/CEB)
Approval and review
Validation
Programme Specification
Professional, Statutory and
Regulatory Body 1 (if
applicable):
Professional, Statutory and
Regulatory Body 2 (if
applicable):
Professional, Statutory and
Regulatory Body 3 (if
applicable):
Place of work
Dr Joe Kember
Date tenure
expires
1/9/2017
University of
Exeter
History of Art and Design Final Examination Board and
Progress Board
Approval date
26/07/081
July 2015 3
Review date
July 20142
July 2016 4
5
1
Date of original validation.
Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years).
3
Month and year this version of the programme specification was approved (normally September).
4
Date programme specification will be reviewed (normally approval date + 1 year). If programme specification is
applicable to a particular cohort, please state here.
5
Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body.
2
Updated: 16 March 2015
PART 2: COURSE DETAILS
AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Aims
The aims of the course are:
 to foster analytical and critical enquiry within the field of Film & Screen Studies;
 to enable students to develop the intellectual and creative skills needed to elicit and make
essential connections between the aesthetic, social, technical and media specific aspects of
screen studies in its historical context;
 to encourage students to develop individual tastes and critical awareness in the field of Film &
Screen Studies;
 to enable students to comprehend and discriminate between a range of methods of
approaching and analysing Film & Screen Studies;
 to encourage students to work in a variety of ways, both individually and as part of team
 to equip students with a wide range of presentation skills appropriate for the communication
of ideas, whether in written, oral, exhibition or digitally-based formats
 to cultivate students’ transferable intellectual skills
Learning outcomes
The outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are
demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference points
where appropriate6.
Knowledge and theory On successful completion of Level 4 students will be able to
demonstrate:
1. familiarity with the basic methodologies required in this field of
study;
2. the conceptual and analytical tools for Levels 5 and 6;
On successful completion of Level 5 students will be able to
demonstrate:
1. familiarity with a wide range of historical, visual and theoretical
material;
2. the ability to handle sources of information critically;
3. experience of analysing the qualities of and images in a variety of
forms, their method of creation, visual appearance and cultural
significance;
4. the ability to evaluate and apply creatively a variety of historical and
theoretical approaches to the field of Film & Screen Studies;
5. a solid base for the specialised modules of Level 6, in terms both of
content and of critical and independent approaches to it.
Skills
Includes intellectual skills (i.e.
generic skills relating to
academic study, problem
solving, evaluation, research
etc.) and professional/ practical
6
On successful completion of Level 6 students will be able to
demonstrate:
1. a detailed knowledge of, and facility with, contemporary cultural
and historical debates and approaches;
2. the development of an ability to analyse, evaluate and utilise a range
of research material
3. the consolidation of their experience in communicating key points
and concepts in visual as well as verbal and written formats.
On the successful completion of Level 4 students will be able to
demonstrate:
1. familiarity with the learning and teaching strategies of the degree,
in particular the organization and presentation of their work in
Please refer to Course Development and Review Handbook or QAA website for details.
Updated: 16 March 2015
skills.
2.
written, oral and visual formats;
the skills necessary to proceed to complete Level 5.
On the successful completion of Level 5 students will be able to
demonstrate:
1. the ability to engage more critically in their reading of historical,
visual and theoretical material;
2. the ability to further develop their learning capacities through
active participation in seminars and other oral presentations and
the production of increasingly rigorous written work;
3. the skills necessary to proceed to complete Level 6.
QAA subject
benchmark statement
(where applicable)7
On the successful completion of Level 6 students will be able to
demonstrate:
1. the development of their capacity for independent and selfmotivated learning;
2. the ability to construct and conduct a defined programme of
research;
3. achievement in the integration and balance of different elements
(visual, material and textual) communicated through an exhibition
format.
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable)
Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external
requirements, and what students are required to undertake, are included.
N/A
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Learning and teaching methods
This section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours
and any specific requirements in terms of practical/ clinical-based learning. The indicative list of
learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course delivered by
each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element of the course.
The information included in this section complements that found in the Key Information Set (KIS),
with the programme specification providing further information about the learning and teaching
methods used on the course.
With the exception of the Screen Histories 1 and Screen Histories 2 modules, which are taught as a
one-hour lecture followed by a two-hour seminar, all Film & Screen Studies modules are taught as
three-hour workshops. These classes include:
 short lectures
 discussions
 debates
 research work
 guided reading
 screenings of films, television, digital media
 digital game play
7
Please refer to the QAA website for details.
Updated: 16 March 2015

research activities
Students learning is also facilitated by:
 personal tutor support
 electronic and hard copy feedback on assessments
 pre- and post-assessment tutorials
 email tutorial support
 hard copy and electronic readings
Learning and Teaching Method
e.g. Lectures
Independent study
% of Student Effort
20%
80%
ASSESSMENT
Assessment methods
This section sets out the summative assessment methods on the course and includes details on
where to find further information on the criteria used in assessing coursework. It also provides an
assessment matrix which reflects the variety of modes of assessment, and the volume of
assessment in the course.
The information included in this section complements that found in the Key information Set (KIS),
with the programme specification providing further information about how the course is assessed.
Learning Outcome
familiarity with the basic
methodologies required in
this field of study
the conceptual and analytical
tools for Levels 5 and 6
familiarity with the learning
and teaching strategies of the
degree, in particular the
organization and presentation
of their work in written, oral
and visual formats
the skills necessary to
proceed to complete Level 5
familiarity with a wide range
of historical, visual and
theoretical material
the ability to handle sources
of information critically
Assessment method
Film reports, essays,
examinations, seminar logs,
presentations, portfolios,
poster presentations
Film reports, essays,
examinations, seminar logs,
presentations, portfolios,
poster presentations
Film reports, essays,
examinations, seminar logs,
presentations, portfolios,
poster presentations
Film reports, essays,
examinations, seminar logs,
presentations, portfolios,
poster presentations
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
Module
Number
of credits
HD454, HD455,
HD462, HD456,
HD463, HD472
120
HD454, HD455,
HD462, HD456,
HD463, HD472
120
HD454, HD455,
HD462, HD456,
HD463, HD472
120
HD454, HD455,
HD462, HD456,
HD463, HD472
120
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
Updated: 16 March 2015
experience of analysing the
qualities of and images in a
variety of forms, their method
of creation, visual appearance
and cultural significance
the ability to evaluate and
apply creatively a variety of
historical and theoretical
approaches to the field of
Film & Screen Studies
a solid base for the specialised
modules of Level 6, in terms
both of content and of critical
and independent approaches
to it.
the ability to engage more
critically in their reading of
historical, visual and
theoretical material
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
the ability to further develop
their learning capacities
through active participation
in seminars and other oral
presentations and the
production of increasingly
rigorous written work
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
the skills necessary to
proceed to complete Level 6.
Presentations, essays,
examinations, research
proposals, research projects,
annotated bibliographies,
critical reports
HD522, HD595,
HD582, HD523
80
Reports, essays, critical
analyses, presentations,
portfolios, dissertations
HD6114, HD659,
HD668
80
Reports, essays, critical
analyses, presentations,
portfolios, dissertations
HD653, HD659,
HD668
80
Reports, essays, critical
analyses, presentations,
portfolios, dissertations
HD652, HD659,
HD668
80
HD653, HD659,
HD668
80
HD653, HD659,
HD668
80
HD653, HD659,
HD668
80
a detailed knowledge of, and
facility with, contemporary
cultural and historical
debates and approaches;
the development of an ability
to analyse, evaluate and utilise
a range of research material
the consolidation of their
experience in communicating
key points and concepts in
visual as well as verbal and
written formats
the development of their
capacity for independent and
self-motivated learning
the ability to construct and
conduct a defined programme
of research
achievement in the
integration and balance of
different elements (visual,
material and textual)
communicated through an
Reports, essays, critical
analyses, presentations,
portfolios, dissertations
Reports, essays, critical
analyses, presentations,
portfolios, dissertations
Reports, essays, critical
analyses, presentations,
portfolios, dissertations
Updated: 16 March 2015
exhibition format
Module by Module Assessment Matrix
Level 4
Level 4
Code
HD454
Sem
1
Module Title
Screen Histories 1
HD455
1
Screens and Society
HD462
1
HD456
2
Key Issues in Screen
Studies
Screen Histories 2
HD463
2
HD472
2
Level 5
Code
HD557
Sem
1
Key Theories in Screen
Studies
Television Genres
Module Title
Identities on the
Screen
Screen Authorship
HD595
1
HD582
2
Contemporary Issues
in Screen Studies
HD523
2
Screens and Power
HD5117
Videogames Cultures
HD521
Cooking up a Dream
HD520
Science Fiction
Level 6
Code
HD652
Sem
1
Module Title
International Screen
Industries
Assessment
1. exam
2. portfolio (include film
report and essay)
1. presentation;
2. portfolio (to include
essay and log)
Portfolio
1. Exam;
2. portfolio (essay and
poster)
Portfolio
1. presentation,
2. portfolio (2 essays –
one timed)
Assessment
1. Presentation
2. Portfolio (2 essays)
1. Essay
2. Research Project
3. Research Proposal
1. presentation;
2. portfolio (to include
annotated
bibliography and
research essay)
portfolio (includes review,
report and essay)
1. presentation;
2. portfolio (to include
log and essay)
1. presentation
2. research proposal
3. research paper
1. Film review
2. Student seminar
3. Essay
Assessment
1. Critical Analysis
2. Report
Updated: 16 March 2015
HD668
HD653
1&2
HD659
2
HD603
HD600
HD667
Dissertation
Film and Screen
Journalism
Final Year Workshop
Children’s Screen
Cultures
Screen Comedy
The Cultural Politics of
Screening Race
3. Essay
Dissertation
1. Presentation
2. Essay
1. Conference Portfolio
2. Presentation
3. Employability and
Lifelong Learning
Portfolio
Portfolio (includes two
essays)
1. Critical analysis
2. Essay
3. presentation
1. seminar presentation
2. research proposal
3. research project
SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
Institutional/
All students benefit from:
University
University induction week
Student Handbook: the University and you
Course Handbook
Extensive library facilities
Computer pool rooms
E-mail address
Welfare service
Personal tutor for advice and guidance
Course-specific
In addition, students on this course benefit from:
Additional support, specifically
Please refer to information held in studentcentral.
where courses have nontraditional patterns of delivery
(e.g. distance learning and
work-based learning) include:
Updated: 16 March 2015
PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
COURSE STRUCTURE
This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study and
progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here.
Students’ first year introduces the basic historical, theoretical and social concepts and debates which inform
Screen Studies. Students are encouraged to consider the social context of screens, their technological
development, the expressive functions they have served, and the cultures they have generated. Theories
which have been used to understand screen cultures are also applied and examined.

HD454 Screen Histories 1 takes students from early medieval screens, through shadow puppets and
magic lanterns, to film’s roots in carnivals and travelling sideshows, to the development of the cinema
as a commercial industry and the emergence of Hollywood and the studio system.

HD456 Screen Histories 2 picks up in the postwar period, and covers developments in television as a
national broadcasting institution, the advent of domestic computers and internet technologies, and
contemporary developments in mobile digital screens and screen interfaces.

HD462 Key Issues in Screen Studies introduces students to key issues in Screen Studies, helping them
to develop skills of close visual and textual analysis, discussion and debate, as well as introducing
students to key academic thinkers and their ideas.

HD463 Key Theories in Screen Studies introduces students to key academic approaches such as
semiotics, structuralism, Marxism, feminism and psychoanalysis, star studies, auteur theory and
audience studies.

HD455 Screens and Society examines academic perspectives on the relationship between screens,
technology, and society. The aim of this module is to emphasise the manner in which degree level
studies are concerned with presenting perspectives and arguments and using theorists to support
those arguments.

HD471 Television Genres explores critical approaches to different modes and cycles of television
production, including situation comedy, crime drama, reality television, music videos, animation and
children’s television.
In the second year students move from a general overview of screen history and theory, to focus on more
specific issues in Screen Studies. Students choose from a single Film & Screen, Literature, or Media Studies
option in both first and second semesters.

HD522 Identities and the Screen course examines the ways in which identity formations of ability, age,
gender, nationality, race, religion, and sexuality are represented and constructed in films, television and
digital media.

HD595 Screen Authorship introduces students to critical and theoretical strategies to understand film,
television and new media authorship, and raises questions about the cultural and industrial
canonization of certain directors.

HD523 Screens and power examines the ways in which screens have been used and understood
politically, to spread propaganda, to pacify the masses, to communicate with electorates, and as a
means of protest and resistance.

HD582 Contemporary Issues in Screen Studies develops students understanding of particularly
contemporary developments in film and screen scholarship. It is designed to give students an idea of
what to focus on in their final year dissertation project.
The third year is focused around the dissertation, a substantial piece of independent research, and the final
year conference. Students choose from a single Film & Screen, Literature, or Media Studies option in both
first and second semesters.

HD652 International Screen Industries examines different forms of screen cultures specific to
particular national cultures. This might include Italian neo-realism, British situation comedy, Nordic
noir, Japanese survival horror, Spanish telenovelas.

HD668 Dissertation: students are also supported by a member of staff whose area of expertise most
clearly suits their chosen topic, and who will meets with tutees for regular one-to-one tutorial
meetings.
 HD659 Final Year Workshop represents a student-led group project, overseen by members of staff and
supported by workshops, which results in a student-run conference.
Updated: 16 March 2015
First year
Second
year
Semester 1
Semester 2
HD454
Screen Histories 1
20 credits
HD456
Screen Histories 2
20 credits
HD462
Key Issues in Screen Studies
20 credits
HD463
Key Theories in Screen Studies
20 credits
HD455
Screens and Society
20 credits
HD471
Television Genres
Semester 1
Semester 2
HD522
Identities and the Screen
HD523
Screens and Power
HD595
Screen Authorship
20 credits
HD582
Contemporary Issues in Screen Studies
Option
(from Film, Screen, Media, Literature)
Third
year
Option
(from Film, Screen, Media, Literature)
20 credits
Semester 1
Semester 2
HD652
International Screen Industries
HD659
Final Year Workshop
HD668
Dissertation
40 credits
Option
(From Film/screen/ media subject area)
Option
(From Film/screen subject area)
20 credits
Updated: 16 March 2015
Modules
Status:
M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award)
C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award)
O = Optional (optional modules)
A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional,
statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)
Level8
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Module
code
HD454
HD455
HD462
HD456
HD463
HD472
HD522
HD595
HD521
HD520
HD5117
HD523
HD582
HD652
HD600
HD603
HD602
HD653
HD667
HD659
HD668
Status
Module title
Credit
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
O
O
O
C
C
C
O
O
O
O
O
C
C
Screen Histories 1
Screens and Society
Key Issues in Screen Studies
Screen Histories 2
Key Theories in Screen Studies
Television Genres
Identities and the Screen
Screen Authorship
Cooking up a Dream
Science Fiction: Screens, Texts, Theories
Videogames Culture
Screens and power
Contemporary Issues in Screen Studies
International Screen Industries
Screen Comedy
Children’s Screen Cultures
Beyond the Screen
Film and Screen Journalism
The Cultural Politics of Screening Race
Final Year Workshop
Dissertation
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
40
Status:
M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award)
C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award)
O = Optional (optional modules)
A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional,
statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)
8
All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which
corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module.
Updated: 16 March 2015
AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION
Award type Awar Title
d*
Intermediate Cert
HE
Intermediate Dip
HE
Intermediate BA
Final
Level
Eligibility for award
Total credits9
Minimum credits10
Ratio of marks11:
Class of award
Minimum credit at level
of award 90
Minimum credit at level
of award 90
Minimum credit at level
of award 60
Minimum credit at level
of award 90
Level 4 marks
Not applicable
Level 5 marks
Not applicable
Level 6 marks
Ordinary BA
Film & Screen Studies
4
Total credit 120
Film & Screen Studies
5
Total credit 240
Film and Screen Studies
6
Total credit 300
6
Total credit 360
BA
Film & Screen Studies
(Hons
)
Classification of award
Select
Select Total credit Select
Select
Select Total credit Select
Levels 5 and 6 (25:75) Honours degree
Minimum credit at level Select
of award Select
Minimum credit at level Select
of award Select
Select
Select
*Foundation degrees only
Progression routes from
award:
Award classifications
Mark/ band %
Foundation degree
Honours degree
70% - 100%
60% - 69.99%
50% - 59.99%
40% - 49.99%
Distinction
Merit
First (1)
Upper second (2:1)
Lower second (2:2)
Third (3)
Pass
Postgraduate12 degree (excludes
PGCE and BM BS)
Distinction
Merit
Pass
9
Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award.
Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award.
11
Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding
class of award.
12
Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters.
10
Page 12 of 13
EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
Please refer to the Course Approval and Review Handbook when completing this section.
The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance with
the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses
(available from staffcentral or studentcentral).
Specific regulations
N/A
which materially
affect assessment,
progression and award
on the course
e.g. Where referrals or repeat of
modules are not permitted in
line with the University’s
General Examination and
Assessment Regulations for
Taught Courses.
Exceptions required by
PSRB
N/A
These require the approval of
the Chair of the Academic
Board
Page 13 of 13