Course description
This programme is unique in combining the exciting and intellectually stimulating study of film with the variety and interdisciplinary study of culture. The MA in Film & Cultural Studies provides the opportunity to explore a wide range of films, theoretical and critical debates, social and historical contexts (with a focus on contemporary society) together with the politics and cultural power of other media forms and institutions.
This combination lets you broaden your field of study. Through two core modules you're given a high-level introduction to the theories and practices of film studies and cultural studies and to the range of generic research skills necessary for study at postgraduate level. You're then able to develop more individual study through a programme of option modules and the dissertation.
Contact Time
Tuesday and/or Thursday 6-9pm (film screenings may be additional).
Course Content
Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
* Engaging with Theory: Key Thinkers, Texts and Concepts
* Research Methods in Film, Media and Cultural Studies
Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)
Three option modules, to include at least two of the following:
* Feminism and Film
* Post-War European Cinema
* Body, Horror and Cinema
* Shakespeare on Film
* Film, Music and Performance
Students may take one option module from a range of media and cultural studies options or, in consultation with the programme leaders, an option offered by other MA programmes within the school. Note: not all options will run each year.
Stage 3
Masters (MA)
* Dissertation
Teaching and Assessment
The programme begins with two core modules: Engaging with Theory: Key Thinkers, Texts and Contexts and Research Methods in Film, Media & Cultural Studies. These modules are designed to enable conceptual and practical skills for advanced research in film and cultural studies. You then move on to choose three option modules and complete a supervised dissertation allowing you the opportunity to pursue your own topic of particular interest.
Staff teaching on the programme are members of the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies CRMCS many are known nationally and internationally for their published work in these fields Staff Profiles.
As well as the weekly programme of teaching, the MA offers regular Research Days per year with invited speakers. Speakers for the 2006/7 session included Prof. Charlotte Brunsdon, Prof. Christine Gledhill and Prof. David Morley. In addition, the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies organises an exciting series of research seminars to which postgraduate students are invited Research Seminars.
The programme of External Speakers offers opportunities for you to hear the latest research and see the vibrancy of the fields of film, media and cultural studies.
Teaching on the MA programme is seminar and tutorial based and your progress will be assessed by essays, projects, presentations and the dissertation.
Career Opportunities
Some graduates progress to higher degree research - graduates of this MA programme have been very successful in securing funded PhD places at leading academic institutions in the UK. Student Profiles
Other graduates have gone on to teach in Further and Higher Education Many students enrolling on the programme will already be employed in a wide variety of professions, and see an MA as a way of enhancing their existing careers.
