| Unit name | British Cinema and Television |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATV20001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Alex Clayton |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
FATV10002 Close-up on Film |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit examines the history, constraints and characteristics of British cinema and television since the early twentieth century. Key areas to be studied include issues such as gender relations and social issues; film/TV stars and performance; popular genres including heritage, comedy and gangster films; television drama and its hybrid forms; indigenous and exportable qualities of British film and television; audiences; distribution, exhibition and public service broadcasting; relations between the film and television industries and the impact of new media in contemporary global contexts. As part of this unit, students create a short film that develops out of and engages with these issues.
Unit aims:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
(1) respond to major debates, themes and problems in British cinema and television, in relation to the past and to contemporary trends;
(2) evaluate different interpretations of British films and television programmes and their contexts of production, distribution and reception;
(3) analyse and write about films and television programmes at a detailed level;
(4) engage with and make critical use of primary and secondary sources;
(5) work to a brief to present an illustrated argument (which may be in the form of a video essay) engaging with critical issues arising from the study of British cinema and television;
Weekly 2-hour seminar/workshop + weekly screening/workshop, production tutorials (within workshop sessions) and practical work (both independent and partially supervised)
2500-word essay (60%) ILO (1-4)
15 minute illustrated presentation engaging with the historical and critical work encountered on the unit (40%) ILO 1, 5
Presentations may be given individually or in groups, at the unit convenor’s discretion and within a defined range (i.e. individual projects and small groups, or larger groups and no individual projects). The required length of the presentation or video essay will vary, depending on the number of students involved and the specific nature of the project. Films made in groups will be awarded a single grade.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. FATV20001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
