KEY CONCEPTS IN FILM STUDIES - 2019/0

Module Overview

This module provides students with some of the fundamental tools required to study film at University-level. It addresses how we analyse and interpret cinema, with a focus on mainstream, commercial film. It introduces students to the key elements of film analysis (narrative, mise en scene, cinematography, editing, sound) and then goes on to apply the skills acquired in film analysis to some of the key concepts or issues in mainstream cinema, such as genre, stars, representation

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

POWRIE Philip (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 40

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None This module has a capped number and may not be available to ERASMUS and other international exchange students. Please check with the departmental exchange coordinator.

Module content

 Indicative content includes:

• Cinemtagraphy, editing, mise en scène, sound, narrative, representation, genre, stars

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of formal and basic theoretical film analysis verbally and in writing and to develop their skills in response to written and oral feedback. It is also designed to give students the opportunity to develop skills in working as a group.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 650-850-word sequence analysis (week 9)


• 1250-1750-word essay (exam period)

• Short informal quizzes on the terminology of film analysis


• Weekly individual and group activities 


• Shot analysis [formative assessment for the sequence analysis] (week 6)


• Group presentation [formative assessment for the essay] (weeks 7-10)

Module aims

• Provide a foundation for further university-level study of film by introducing key skills and concepts
• Introduce students to the different elements of film analysis
• Give students the opportunity to learn and practice skills in written and oral analysis of films
• Provide a theoretical understanding for any practical activity in filmmaking a student may undertake in their own time

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

 The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide students with the necessary knowledge and analytical skills to be able to interpret and analyse films


• Develop students abilities and confidence in articulating this knowledge


• Develop students’ written and oral skills in terms of writing and talking about film

• Lectures


• Discussions


• Film screenings


• Student presentations


• Essay research and writing

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MFC1020

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.