BA (Hons) Film, Media and Cultural Studies: Programme Specification

Transcription

1 BA (Hons) Film, Media and Cultural Studies: Programme Specification 1. Awarding institution Middlesex University. Teaching institution Middlesex University 3. Programme accredited by N /A 4. Final qualification BA (Hons) 5. Programme title Film, Media and Cultural Studies 6. JACS code (or other relevant coding system) xxx 7. Relevant QAA subject benchmark group(s) Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies 8. Academic Year 007/08 9. Reference points QAA Subject Benchmark Statements, Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies The University Learning and Teaching Policy and Strategy ocument The Middlesex University Guide and Regulations Internal university subject review and validation 007 The University Strategic Plan and Student Charter Student, staff, external examiners feedback and comments. 10. Aims of the programme The programme aims: to increase understanding and appreciation of film as an artistic medium and as a social practice and to foster the exploratory, creative study of films from different historical periods and different cultural contexts as sites of complex interactions with audiences; promote students knowledge of the production and consumption of media and culture and how these are shaped by local and global political, economic and social factors. to provide opportunities for developing strong critical, evaluative, analytical and creative skills and theoretical frameworks for exploring film and other media forms; 11. Programme outcomes* - the programme offers opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning outcomes. The highest level at which these programme outcomes are to be achieved by all graduates is shown in the curriculum map section. A. Knowledge and understanding On completion of this programme the successful student will have knowledge and understanding of : 1. film as a complex audio-visual expressive form that produces meaning and affect through diverse aesthetic and formal strategies, narrative processes, generic forms and modes of representation. the economic, political and cultural processes Teaching/learning methods Students gain knowledge and understanding through: a progression of lectures and seminars; reflection on personal and cultural experience; group discussion; guided and independent study and research;

2 determining and linking together production, representation, identity, regulation and consumption in societies; 3. theories that have shaped Film, Media and Cultural Studies and a range of critical methods deriving from these theories for the analysis and evaluation of both screen based and other media product. 4. aspects of the history of film and other media in local, regional, national and global contexts, and the contested nature of this history 5. their own creative / discursive practice and its influences essay and dissertation writing; creative work; Assessment Method Students knowledge and understanding is assessed by course work including: essays; project work; group presentations. B. Cognitive (thinking) skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. engage critically with theories and critical paradigms for the analysis and interpretation of film / media work, together with contexts of production and consumption. gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently and express them effectively 3. critically evaluate their own work in a reflective manner with reference to academic and / or professional issues, debates and conventions C. Practical skills On completion of the programme the successful student will be able to: 1. deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas and making use, as appropriate, of problem-solving approaches. develop appropriate strategies for carrying out research for essays, projects, creative work or dissertations involving sustained independent enquiry 3. plan, organise and manage projects, especially in relation to managing time, personnel and resources effectively 4. use specialist tools effectively in producing creative work Teaching/learning methods Students learn cognitive skills through: directed and independent reading and research activity; seminar discussion and experiential learning, including production work; seminar exercises in critical and interpretative thinking and analysis; tutorials; essay writing. Assessment Method Students cognitive skills are assessed by course work including: evidence of good argument and discerning reading and research in essay writing; project work and written assignments focused on the cognitive skills of critical analysis and interpretation Teaching/learning methods Students learn practical skills through: engaging in varieties of written work in response to a critical task other work requiring the production of a product informed by critical thinking and problem solving oral work requiring analysis of film extracts or film artefacts; opportunities for theoretical and critical investigation by means of practical work seminar discussions and debates; directed and independent critical reading; directed and independent research activity individual and group tutorials Students are actively encouraged to make use of London s cinema/ media resources, and to identify, explore and utilise web-based resources. Assessment Method Students practical skills are assessed by: written assignments - long and short essays and other forms of continuous prose writing; creative and re-creative work, including the application of new technologies; research assignments and dissertation seminar presentations - group and individual; workbooks and other collections of materials and dossiers other appropriate projects and forms of

3 presentation. Graduate Skills * On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. the ability to engage in effective learning, involving one s own formulation and solution of problems, and independence of thought and judgement;. the ability to communicate effectively in writing, speaking and presenting material, and in visual and other forms 3. to use a range of communication techniques and tools, including appropriate I.T. hardware and software; 4. the ability to work in teams and respect the reasoned ideas of others and exchange information with integrity and intellectual maturity; 5. an ability to read numerical information and interpret it accurately Teaching/learning methods Students acquire graduate skills through Students learn key skills through: learning activities embedded across the first year of the programme and in subsequent modules. Assessment Method Students graduate skills are assessed by: A range of appropriate assignments embedded in modules in each year of the programme. See Assessment for (c) above. 1. Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and qualifications 1. 1 Overall structure of the programme All modules are allocated credits within the Middlesex Academic Framework and the number and level of credits is specified for the range of awards. In total students take 360 credits for the BA award, twelve 30 credit modules. All first year modules are compulsory as is 50% of year two and 5% of year three (issertation). The Undergraduate iploma of HE requires 40 credits and the Undergraduate Certificate of HE 10 credits. Each 30-credit module requires 9 hours of study per week, including hours lecture / seminar. Full-time students undertaking 10 credits per year should expect to commit 36 hours per week to their studies, while the study time of part-time students is pro-rata to the amount of credits taken each semester. Full-time Students See the diagram below. Part-time Students Part-time students will normally take 60 or 90 credits (two or three modules) each academic year. 1. Levels and modules. This section should contain a more detailed description level-by-level of the programme structure, modules and credits. All modules should be categorised as compulsory or optional. Level 1 COMPULSORY 1 OPTIONAL PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS *If required by PSRBs undergraduate programme learning outcomes can also be presented using the taxonomy of the appropriate subject benchmark(s) **Not required for postgraduate programmes. 1 Compulsory modules are those that must be taken, that is, the qualification cannot be made unless these modules have been successfully completed. Each of these modules makes a unique contribution to the learning objectives of the programme. Optional modules are those from which a specified minimum number must be taken, that is, the qualification cannot be given unless this specified minimum number of optional modules have been successfully completed. Each of the

4 Students must take all of the following: MCS1000 Issues in Media Politics and Cultural MCS1100 Introduction to Media and Cultural Studies MA1906 Film Studies: Themes and Ideas MA1916 Communicating in Film N/A The non-compensatible modules that must be passed are MA1906 and MCS1100. Level COMPULSORY Students must take all of the following: MCS300 Media, Image, Power MA906 Film Theory OPTIONAL Students must also choose one MA module from the following: MA916 Issues in Film History MA99 Screenwriting MA936 ocumentary: History and Practice* MA939 Experimental Film: History and Practice* PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS The non-compensatible module is MA906 And one MCS module from the following: MCS100 Body, Identity, Society MCS00 Travelling Cultures: Hybridity and Globalisation Level 3 COMPULSORY OPTIONAL PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS possible combinations of optional modules will make a similarly unique contribution to the achievement of the learning objectives of the programme.

5 Students must take the following: Either MA3906 issertation Or MCS3400 issertation Students must take three of the following. If MA3906 is taken, then one further MA module and two MCS modules. IF MCS3400 is taken, then one further MCS module and two MA modules. MCS3100 Culture, Consumption, Identity MCS300 Media Practices MA3916 Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives MA3936 ocumentary: History and Practice* MA3939 Experimental Film: History and Practice* MA3946 Film and the Cultural Sector The non-compensatible module is either MA3906 or MCS3400. * MA936/3936 are offered in alternate years, as are MA939/ Non.compensatable modules. Modules designated non-compensatable. Module level Module code 1 MCS1100, MA1906 MCS300, MA906 3 MCS3400, MA A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules See Curriculum Map attached. 14. Criteria for admission to the Programme The usual entry qualification is UCAS points across a range of appropriate academic subjects (for example, Film Studies, Media Studies, English). Film Studies welcomes applications from students coming from a GNVQ / NVQ background. Mature students who have successfully completed a recognised Access course in relevant subjects are particularly encouraged, as our mature students with other relevant experience. Overseas applicants whose first language is not English should provide IELTS results of 6.0 or higher with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Students who score less than 5.5 on any of the components of the IELTS test are strongly recommended to attend the pre-sessional. 15. Information about assessment regulations The programme conforms to all Middlesex University assessment regulations. See Middlesex University Regulations at For attendance requirement's on specific courses see course handbook. Self deferral is not allowed on any of the MA or MCS courses, students seeking to defer must consult the assessment administrator 16. Indicators of quality Media and Cultural Studies and Film Studies underwent successful internal reviews in 007. External Examiners reports have been positive for both subjects The great majority of MCS and Film graduates achieve jobs in a broad range of organisations across the media and cultural industries; Student feedback is regular (each semester) and consistently shows a high level of satisfaction in MCS and

6 Film teaching and learning; Quality Monitoring Reports and the internal Review of Academic Procedures (004-05) demonstrated the excellence of MCS teaching and learning. In the last research Assessment Exercise, when Film Studies was located in the Visual Culture and Media curriculum group, the group achieved a 5 RAE rating. Film Studies achieved a score of (excellent) in the most recent Quality Assessment Audit round. 17. Specialised support for learning (if applicable) Learning on the programme is supported by the following: Excellent range of print and visual materials in the Learning Resource Centre Specialist workshops provided in conjunction with Learning Resources and with the British Film Institute Media Labs offering excellent facilities for working in new media, web design and video production Wide ranging film screening programme + Activities in Central London relating to Cinema Visiting speakers from the media and cultural industries; including print and TV journalists, media production workers; 18. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning External Examiners Board of Study Quality Monitoring Report Informal feedback Course feedback forms Peer observation of teaching 19. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable) While there is no formal placement, students undertake work experience. Students may, on request take the work experience pathway offered to Single Honours BA Media Cultural Studies students. This requires taking MCS400 Media and Cultural Industries as preparation and support; together with MCS3300 Cultures of Work whichprovides the opportunity for work experience. Otherwise students are supported in their request for work experience in a variety of ways, such as the dissemination of information about opportunities in the Greater London media / film sector. 0. Future careers: how the programme supports graduates future career development (if applicable) evelopment of transferable skills (see 11c and 11d above) is central to the programme. Specific modules develop more specialist, employment focused skills and enable students to consider career development. The programme as a whole sets out to produce critical and interrogative students with the grounding to obtain employment across a broad spectrum of media and cultural industries. Please note: this specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.

7 Curriculum map for BA (Hons) Film, Media, Cultural Studies This section shows the highest level at which programme outcomes are to be achieved by all graduates, and maps programme learning outcomes against the modules in which they are assessed. A1 A A3 A4 A5 B1 B B3 C1 C C3 C Module Title (bold indicates compulsory module) Module Code by Level A1 A A 3 A 4 Issues in Media, Politics and MCS1000 X X X X X X X X X Culture Introduction to Media and Cultural MCS1100 X X X X X X X X X X X Studies Film Studies: Themes and Ideas MA1906 X X X X X X X X X X X X Communicating in Film MA1916 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Film Theory and Popular Cinema MA906 X X X X X X X Issues in Film History MA916 X X X X X X X X X X Screenwriting the Short Film MA99 X X X X X X X X A 5 B 1 B B 3 C 1 C C 3 C ocumentary Film: History and Practice MA936 X X X X X X X X X X X X Experimental Film: History and Practice MA939 X X X X X X X X X X X Body, Identity and Society MCS100 X X X X X X X X X X X Travelling Cultures: Hybridity and MCS00 X X X X X X X X X X Globalisation Media, Image, Power MCS300 X X X X X X X X X X X X X issertation (or) MCS3400 X X X X X X X X X X X X X issertation MA3906 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Contemporary Theoretical MA3916 X X X X X X X X Perspectives ocumentary Film: History and Practice MA3936 X X X X X X X X X X X X X

8 Experimental Film: History and MA3939 X X X X X X X X X X X X X Practice Film and the Cultural Sector MA3946 X X X X X X X X X X X X Culture, Consumption and Identity MCS3100 X X X X X X X X X Media Practices MCS300 X X X X X X X X X X Programme learning outcomes Knowledge and understanding A1 Film as a complex audio-visual expressive form that produces meaning and affect through diverse aesthetic and formal strategies, narrative processes, generic forms and modes of representation 6. A The economic, political and cultural processes determining and linking together production, representation, identity, regulation and consumption in societies; Practical skills C1 eliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas and making use, as appropriate, of problemsolving approaches C evelop appropriate strategies for carrying out research for essays, projects, creative work or dissertations involving sustained independent enquiry A3 Theories that have shaped Film, Media and Cultural Studies and a range of critical methods deriving from these theories for the analysis and evaluation of both screen based and other media product. C3 Plan, organise and manage projects, especially in relation to managing time, personnel and resources effectively A4 Aspects of the history of film and other media in local, regional, national and global contexts, and the contested nature of this history. A5 Their own creative / discursive practice and its influences C4 Use specialist tools effectively in producing creative work Cognitive skills B1 Engage critically with theories and critical paradigms for the analysis and interpretation of film / media work, together with contexts of production and consumption B Gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently and express them effectively Graduate Skills 1 The ability to engage in effective learning, involving one s own formulation and solution of problems, and independence of thought and judgement; The ability to communicate effectively in writing, speaking and presenting material, and in visual and other forms B3 Critically evaluate their own work in a reflective manner with reference to academic and / or professional issues, debates and conventions 3 To use a range of communication techniques and tools, including appropriate I.T. hardware and software;

9 4 The ability to work in teams and respect the reasoned ideas of others and exchange information with integrity and intellectual maturity; 5 An ability to read numerical information and interpret it accurately.