MA Film Studies

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

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MA Film Studies

Objectives 1. To familiarise students with essential concepts of film form 2. To enable students to discourse on filmic texts at an advanced level, informed by social, thematic, formal, and theoretical perspectives. 3. To provide specialised Film Studies courses 4. To introduce students to production techniques 5. To encourage students to work as scholars in specific fields of investigation 6. To encourage students to make conceptual links between theoretical and practical work in film 7. To help students develop their work independently of guidance for extended periods 8. To enhance students' career options 9. To prepare qualified students for progression to doctoral research with a view to entering the academic profession
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 Studies
Course description
Course Description
The MA in Film Studies offers a unique opportunity to explore film and video from analytic and aesthetic perspectives, as well as apply this theoretical knowledge to a collective or personal video project. The student should leave this MA with a strong sense of independent, documentary and experimental film-making practices.

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
    Compulsory: FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOP
    Compulsory: ISSUES IN FILM THEORY AND HISTORY
    Core: DISSERTATION: MA FILM STUDIES
    Core: RESEARCH METHODS IN LITERARY AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS
    CREATIVE WRITING AND GENRE
    CREATIVE WRITING AND REFLECTION
    EXPERIMENTAL CINEMA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
    REAL CINEMA: ETHNOGRAPHIC AND DOCUMENTARY FILM

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : A range of selected films from a variety of film genres and national cinemas
    A2 : Specialised topics in Film Studies in greater depth
    A3 : Significant theoretical, thematic, and formal approaches to Film Studies and the social contexts in which films are made
    A4 : Essential terms, concepts, and methods of critical analysis employed in Film Studies
    A5 : Appropriate research techniques and methodologies
    A6 : Essential hands-on production techniques

    Teaching Methods
    1-5 are addressed in seminar instruction and discussion, and in oral and written feedback on essays. 6 is addressed through instruction in the practical course component and through oral and written feedback on the collective practical project that stems from this course.

    Assessment Methods
    Formal assessment is by written coursework (three essays for three seminars) and dissertation. Students can choose between a written dissertation of 20,000 words (developing expertise in outcomes 1-5), or a practical dissertation with a shorter written component (10-15,000 words) which further develops expertise in outcome 6 in addition to 1-5.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Develop critical thinking strategies
    B2 : Analyse and evaluate theoretical concepts at advanced levels
    B3 : Reason critically in an environment of complex ideas
    B4 : Argue persuasively in writing, adopting critical positions on issues related to Film Studies
    B5 : Reflect critically on the creative film-making process
    B6 : 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; guided instruction, questions and answers, individual consultation, and pre-production preparatory assignments in the practical component. Individual guidance, in addition to formal seminars, is available in posted office hours during the preparation of essays and of the collective project. 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
    1-5 are assessed in three course essays. The essays and practical project are regarded essentially as a form of progressive assessment leading to the dissertation. Depending on desired outcomes of enhanced expertise in theoretical or practical areas, students can choose between a dissertation that enhances skills 1-5 (written dissertation), or a practical dissertation project with a shorter written component, that further develops expertise in skill 6 in addition to 1-5.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Analyse film images, deploying a vocabulary of key cinematic terms (both technical and theoretical)
    C3 : Organise, structure and present an argument in writing, putting forward clear critical positions
    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 : Plan and execute a basic practical project (sometimes of a co-operative nature).

    Teaching Methods
    Skills 1 and 2 are developed through seminar instruction, seminar discussions, and through individual consultation in office hours. Feedback is provided through oral and written comments on essays. Guidance on skills 3-5 is provided in the Literature Guide for M.A. Students, and available on an individual basis during office hour consultation. 5 is additionally provided in optional information sessions offered by the Library. 6 is developed through specific units on pre-production, production, and post-production techniques in the practical course and in the process of putting together a collective project for this course.

    Assessment Methods
    Essays are assessed for skills 1-5; the practical project assesses skill 6. Students can choose between a dissertation that focuses on skills 1-5 (written dissertation project) or that incorporates skill 6 in addition to 1-5 (practical dissertation project with a shorter written component).

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : The ability to communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts; the ability to be an effective listener; the ability to both comprehend and produce the visual language of film.
    D2 : Typing and wordprocessing skills; use of electronic library catalogues and email
    D4 : Students should be able to manage projects and timetables; and to apply knowledge and understanding in order to make judgements and offer solutions in a range of scholarly and practical contexts.
    D5 : Students should be able to work co-operatively in a practical production context.
    D6 : Students should enhance the ability to work to deadlines; should take responsibility for their own work in individual and collective contexts; should reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback; should share responsibility for their own programme of studies.

    Teaching Methods
    Communication is developed through seminar discussions. Visual media skills of analysis are developed through guided analysis and discussion of visual material in seminars. These ideas are explored in a hand-on practical context through instruction in the practical component, leading to the production of a collective project. The development of communication skills may also be enhanced through more formal oral presentations in seminars, with further information supplied through subsequent questions and answers. Students are expected to acquire IT skills based on some initial guidance, and tutors can provide additional guidance during office hours, while students can elect to follow Library-sponsored information sessions. Students are given the opportunity to work constructively and productively in groups, particularly as part of the practical component of the degree. All students present a written proposal leading to the writing of the dissertation, which receives extensive feedback. Students should be able to advance an argument in seminar discussion and should be able to listen and respond effectively.

    Assessment Methods
    Essays and dissertations are assessed for qualities that incorporate most of the skills outlined in D1-D4, and in D6. All work must be submitted in typewritten form (normally word-processed) and must be presented according to the standard conventions outlined in the Literature Guide for M.A. Students. The collective project and practical dissertation option particularly addresses and assesses practical skills outlined in D5.