Contemporary British Cinema

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• key concepts within film studies, such as authorship and cinematic representation, particularly relevant to the analysis of the films studied
• the contribution made by critics and theorists to the study of contemporary British filmmakers
• the different genres, trends and traditions of British filmmaking
• the cultural and industrial context in which the filmmakers often work
• thematic concerns and stylistic motifs apparent in the work of some key contemporary British filmmakers

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• write a detailed, critically informed analysis of the work of the British filmmakers studied
• access and employ relevant criticism when presenting an argument
• master digital tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Sway to create well-designed and informative content
• contribute critically and reflectively to academic discussion

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• employ appropriate critical theories and arguments when discussing the films studied
• identify and articulate some of the central concerns expressed in the work of a selection of leading British contemporary filmmakers
• demonstrate an understanding of aspects of the cultural and industrial context in which British filmmakers work
• demonstrate an understanding of the different genres, trends and traditions of British filmmaking
• produce a detailed analysis of the case study films discussed

This module builds on the foundation established by your work at Level One. Each week, you will be introduced to a particular genre, trend or tradition of British filmmaking, from social realism and heritage cinema, to Black British film and new Scottish cinema. You will also have the opportunity to examine the cultural and industrial factors which have shaped and are continuing to shape filmmaking in the UK. In the seminars, you will be expected to lead discussions on the week's topic, screening and readings. You will also be encouraged to widen your knowledge by studying the work of other contemporary British filmmakers not included in the module, where appropriate. In this way the module offers you the opportunity to develop a good knowledge and critical understanding of contemporary British cinema, and the particular context in which British films are produced, distributed and consumed.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• lectures
• weekly screenings of a case-study film
• seminars with group discussions on the week's topic, screening, and readings
• opportunities for one-to-one discussion with the tutor in office hours.

Learning activities include

• individual study/research
• designing a digital presentation and film programme
• contributing to seminar discussions

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

There is a good provision of DVDs and critical reading available for the filmmakers studied.

Textbooks

(2011). Film England: Culturally English Filmmaking since the 1990s. I.B. Tauris.

Sarah Street (2008). British National Cinema. Routledge.

John Fitzgerald (2010). Studying British Cinema: 1999-2009. Auteur.

James Leggott (2008). Contemporary British Cinema. Wallflower.

Emma Bell & Neil Mitchell (eds) (2012). Dictionary of World Cinema: Britain. Intellect.

Robert Murphy (ed) (2008). The British Cinema Book. BFI.

Assessment strategy

Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback

• You will be encouraged to discuss preparation for your formal assessments
• You will have the opportunity to seek individual advice on your work in progress by appointment with your tutor
• Guidance and advice on the preparation, completion and presentation of work will be given in class

Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes

• Lectures will provide an overview of different genres and traditions in British filmmaking
• Screenings will focus on a recent British film which illustrates the week's topic.
• Seminars will involve group discussions on the week's topic, screening and readings, along with guidance on the assignments.
• You will analyse key films of the British filmmakers studied; in particular, looking at thematic and stylistic aspects. Designing a digital presentation will develop your understanding, research skills, and design skills.
• Your own understanding and knowledge of British contemporary filmmakers and the context in which they work will be developed both by discussion in the seminars and by tutor feedback on your assignments.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External