FV1S39 - What is Film? 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FV1S39
Module Title: What is Film?
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Deirdre Russell
Module Team: Daryl Perrins, Joseph Sudlow
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100716 - cinematography
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To develop knowledge and understanding of the diverse aesthetic, economic, social and intellectual roles of cinema. 

To develop key skills in academic research and communication, and the ability to assess and construct academic arguments. 

Content Summary

This module is designed to challenge and provoke you to question the very nature and diverse roles of film. 

Each week, we will explore a polemic contention on what film is (e.g. Film is art’ or ‘Film is ideological’), as well as receiving tuition in academic research, analysis, argumentation and videographic communication.

Through this process, you should ultimately be able to determine and defend a range of positions on the issues, and thereby enhance your critical understanding of your subject. 

We will debate film’s core components; its status as both art and entertainment we will consider its aptitude for realism and for fantasy; we will contemplate its social effects; and we will assess its current status and possible futures. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 12
Independent Study 92
Directed Study (including online independent learning) 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Distinguish diverse forms and functions of film.
LO2 Evaluate a range of arguments from a variety of appropriate sources.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 1 Produce a written or videographic essay that critically analyses and presents an argument on one aspect of film as a medium. 8 2000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 1

Reading List