MA Film and Literature

Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Method At the institution
Location Colchester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MA Film and Literature

Objectives 1. To provide courses opening paths to areas of current scholarly and critical specialisation 2. To deepen the knowledge and to refine the skills which students bring with them from their first degrees 3. To give students a structured introduction to advanced material and advanced perspectives in their fields of specialisation 4. To encourage students to work independently as scholars in specific fields of investigation and to formulate and present a coherent and reflective view of their findings 5. To provide a choice of courses to suit individual interests and needs 6. To enhance students' career prospects 7. To prepare qualified students for progression to doctoral research with a view to entering the academic profession 8. To enhance (deepen and extend) students' acquaintance with literary texts, b texts and their ability to make comparisons between literature and film
Entry requirements Entry Qualifications 2.1 or equivalent in B.A. related to Literary or Film/Media Studies. TOEFL 570/230/88 IELTS 6.5
Academic title MA Film and Literature
Course description
Course Description
The MA in Film and Literature focuses on theoretical and practical interactions between literature and film, providing students with a wide range of textual and analytic skills.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    ADAPTATION
    AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
    Compulsory: ISSUES IN FILM THEORY AND HISTORY
    Core: DISSERTATION
    Core: RESEARCH METHODS IN LITERARY AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS
    CREATIVE PERSPECTIVES ON TRANSLATION
    CREATIVE PLAYWRITING 1
    CREATIVE PLAYWRITING 2
    CREATIVE WRITING AND GENRE
    CREATIVE WRITING AND REFLECTION
    CREATIVE WRITING MEMORY MAPS MA
    EXPERIMENTAL CINEMA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
    FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
    FOUNDATION OF POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES
    INTERPRETATION OF MYTH
    ISSUES IN TRAVEL WRITING
    LITERARY TRANSLATION AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
    MODERN PROSTHESES: WRITING, TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSGENDER
    MODERNISM/POSTMODERNISM
    POSTCOLONIAL WRITERS AND CANONICAL TEXTS
    REAL CINEMA: ETHNOGRAPHIC AND DOCUMENTARY FILM
    SEA OF LENTILS: MODERNITY, LITERATURE, AND FILM IN THE CARIBBEAN
    SHAKESPEARE IN THEORY
    SHAKESPEARE: READING AND TEXT I
    SHAKESPEAREAN PERFORMANCE HISTORY
    THE PHANTASM
    THE STUDY OF LITERATURE TODAY
    THE TALE: TELLINGS AND RE-TELLINGS
    THE USES OF AMERICAN ISOLATION
    US MODERNISM AND AFTER
    WAR, VIOLENCE & CONFLICT IN THE AMERICAN TROPICS
    WRITING ART

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : A range of literature and film in special subject areas
    A2 : Critical opinion and significant critical debates in literary and film studies, as well as recent critical interventions
    A3 : The interrelation of relevant literary texts and literary critical thinking
    A4 : The interrelation of relevant films and film criticism
    A5 : Complex issues in the relationship between film, literature and culture (an appreciation of the way in which literary and visual texts are embedded in their cultural and historical milieux, and an awareness of their role in creating cultural change)
    A6 : Advanced methods of critical analysis and argument
    A7 : Appropriate research techniques and methodologies

    Teaching Methods
    1-7 are addressed in seminars and oral and written comments on essays and draft dissertations. 6 is additionally addressed in special seminars Students are expected to pursue their understanding of course content and special topics through independent study and wide reading. Tutors are available to offer advice in the adaptation of generic research techniques (6) to individual needs.

    Assessment Methods
    Formal assessment is by written coursework (four 4000-5000 word essays over four 10-week seminars) and dissertation. Students produce a written dissertation project of 20,000 words (honing expertise in outcomes 1-7).

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Question received thinking
    B2 : Think independently
    B3 : Analyse and evaluate data at advanced levels
    B4 : Reason critically in an environment of complex ideas
    B5 : Argue coherently and persuasively
    B6 : Adopt critical positions in reading complex texts and in writing on them
    B7 : Analyse and evaluate theoretical concepts at advanced levels
    B8 : Develop and sustain a critical argument over a sustained period of research

    Teaching Methods
    These skills are developed in: seminar discussions; class presentations (which may form the basis of essays) followed by questions and answers; guided instruction of primary and secondary sources in seminars; guided analysis of visual material in seminars; oral and written feedback on essays. Individual guidance (in addition to that available in formal seminars), is available in posted office hours during the preparation of essays and presentations in seminar. Individual guidance is available in advance of the deadline for the dissertation proposal, and detailed oral feedback is given on the proposal in advance of dissertation writing

    Assessment Methods
    Essays and dissertation. While the former are assessed in their own right, they are also regarded as a form of progressive assessment leading to the writing of the dissertation.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Organise, structure and present an argument in writing, putting forward clear critical positions
    C2 : Analyse literary and cinematic texts employing advanced theoretical terms
    C3 : Deploy a vocabulary of literary, cinematic, and critical terms
    C4 : Compile and present extended bibliographies
    C5 : Provide complex references according to accepted conventions
    C6 : Use libraries and IT to gain access to a variety of scholarly sources
    C7 : Write in a scholarly manner

    Teaching Methods
    This range of practical skills (1-7) is taught in seminars and developed through tutors' comments on essays, and in supervision of written work. Guidance on skills 4-7 is provided in special seminars on techniques and methodology. Advice on writing essays and dissertations is given in the MA guide

    Assessment Methods
    Essays and dissertations are assessed for all these skills

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : Clear, focused, relevant and effective written expression and oral communication
    D2 : Typing and wordprocessing skills; use of electronic library catalogues and email
    D4 : Management of projects and timetables. Finding, understanding and organising information.
    D5 : Ability to interpret and construct an argument, and to grasp other points of view
    D6 : Finding, understanding and organising information

    Teaching Methods
    The relevant key skills are progressively encouraged throughout the degree. 1, 2 & 4 are employed in essays, and verbal and written feedback is given to encourage progress.

    Assessment Methods
    Essays and dissertations are assessed for qualities that incorporate all these skills.