| Unit name | Film and Television History to 1960 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATV20027 |
| 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) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit students are introduced to histories of film and television up to 1960. It introduces students to key touchstones in film and TV history, including significant films, programmes, events, movements, and genres that have shaped that history.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit will provide contextual reference points for future study and develop student expertise in researching, analysing, debating and discussing film and television texts within historical frameworks. It also helps students develop an understanding of how film and television media have changed over time, with regard to technological advances, national and industrial contexts, artistic innovations, and contexts of reception.
Overview of Content
The unit provides a contextual framework within which students will address specific histories and case studies relating to film and television prior to 1960. The period stretches from the invention of cinema to the beginning of mass television ownership and the unit will address specific topics designed to consider the implications of technological, cultural, and aesthetic developments and movements during this time. Topics will vary but may include silent cinema and the arrival of sound, ‘Classic Hollywood’ and European film from 1930-1960, Japanese cinema in the 1950s, national broadcasting and early live television drama.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit:
Students will develop critical expertise in researching, analysing, debating and discussing film and television texts within historical frameworks.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. describe formal, industrial, and aesthetic changes in film and television up to 1960;
2. analyse specific film and television forms and modes with a view to historical contexts;
3. assess the impact of social, technological, cultural and institutional factors on movements and genres;
4. construct an argument pertaining to film/TV history drawing on a range of sources and frameworks
Teaching will take place during weekly lecture, screening and seminars. Seminars will be informed by required weekly readings, and led by groups of students who will work collaboratively on a group presentation as an introduction to all class discussion.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Group presentation, 5 mins per group member (0%, not required for credit) [ILOs 1-4]
You will contribute to the research, preparation and delivery of a group presentation which will be given verbal feedback. This will be an opportunity to learn with your peers and practise the type of contextual enquiry that you will undertake independently for your summative essay.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay, 2500 words (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
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. FATV20027).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
