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Unit information: Global Cinemas / Local Stories in 2023/24

Unit name Global Cinemas / Local Stories
Unit code FATV30005
Credit points 20
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Jimmy Hay
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

FATV10001 Filmmaking Fundamentals

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

Unit Information

In this unit we will consider examples of global cinemas that might include Africa, Europe, India, Latin America, and the USA, in the context of globalisation. We will examine relevant theories of globalisation alongside definitions of Third and Fourth cinemas, national/transnational cinemas, and colonial/postcolonial cinemas, as they apply to the films screened. Skills already developed in textual analysis will be advanced by analysing the textual elements of selected films in relation to issues such as their social and cultural contexts; production, distribution and reception contexts; genre and authorship; narrative structure, style and aesthetics. We will develop responses to the issues and questions raised through making and exhibiting short films. We will think practically about how to (re)present ourselves and others on the big or small screen in a globalised world, using various possible approaches that might include autobiography, found objects, archival material, family photographs and constructions of new material.

The unit aims to:

  • examine examples of global cinema from various parts of the world in the context of globalisation;
  • examine relevant theoretical perspectives on globalisation;
  • consider definitions of global cinema in the context of relevant film theory, including Third and Fourth Cinemas, national/transnational cinemas, colonial/postcolonial cinemas;
  • advance skills in the textual analysis of films in their contexts;
  • create and exhibit short films in response to the issues raised in the study of global cinemas and globalisation.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

(1) demonstrate an understanding of global cinemas and their contexts;

(2) situate global cinemas in an appropriate theoretical framework drawn from relevant globalisation theories and film theories on ‘Third’ and ‘Fourth’ Cinemas, national /transnational cinemas, colonial/postcolonial cinemas;

(3) create short films or related practical work that engages with conceptual issues related to global cinema;

(4) demonstrate advanced practical skills in one or more aspects of short filmmaking (for example, camera, editing);

(5) consider and make appropriate choices for short film exhibition, including installation as a possible alternative to big-screen options.

How you will learn

weekly 2-hour seminar/workshop + weekly 3-hour screening/workshop, production tutorials (within workshop sessions) and practical work (both independent and partially supervised).

How you will be assessed

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

  • Film or related work, 5-10-minutes (70%) [ILOs 3-4, 5]
  • Reflexive account of practical work, 1500 words (30%) [ILOs 1-2, 5]

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.

Resources

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. FATV30005).

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.

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