| Unit name | British & Irish Film & Television |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATV20037 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Piper |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit students are introduced to British & Irish film and television through the study of a selection of examples and topics. These might cover specific periods, styles and traditions, themes, stars, filmmakers and television providers, among others. Through this approach, students will be introduced to some of the ways in which British and Irish identities and cultures are represented and constructed on screen.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
For FATV students, this unit will allow you to expand your knowledge in film and television history and analysis acquired in first year and develop it through the study of a distinct set of case studies. In synergy with other Year 2 units, British & Irish Film & Televison offers students the possibility to specialise and refine their knowledge and expertise by concentrating on the study of two deeply related national screen contexts. The unit also offers advanced training in written and audiovisual communication, fostering improved analytical skills, as well as research and planning skills. Through lectures and seminars, students are provided with opportunities to learn from leading experts in British & Irish Film & Televison, while the assessments test students’ understanding and development of analytical skills.
For SML students, this unit will introduce you to the study of film, if you have not already studied it in year 1. The unit’s considered treatment of varied texts will help to prepare you for more advanced units in SML on global film or cultural production. For UK students it will encourage you to reflect upon questions of British, UK, and Irish identities and how they are culturally constructed.
Overview of Content:
This unit explores examples of British & Irish cinema and television since the early twentieth century within their various historical, creative, social and/or industrial contexts. The unit may be themed around key issues of national identity, matters of social concern, landscape, regionality, stardom, performance, representation, gender, class and cultural diversity. We may consider popular film and television genres such as heritage, gangster, crime or comedy; television drama forms such as the single play; the indigenous and exportable qualities of British & Irish film and television; audiences; distribution, exhibition and public service broadcasting; relations between the film and television industries or the impact of new media in contemporary global contexts.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students will develop critical expertise in researching, analysing, debating and discussing British & Irish film and television. They will also learn to criticize and contextualise screen representations of national identity as well as the notion of national cinemas and television, reflecting analytically on how these are informed by and inform different politics and cultural traditions.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Respond to major debates, themes and problems in British & Irish cinema and television, in relation to the past and to contemporary trends;
2. Evaluate different interpretations of British & Irish films and television programmes and their contexts of production, distribution and reception;
3. Engage with and make critical use of primary and secondary sources;
4. Develop and present or write a critical argument engaging with key issues arising from the study of British & Irish cinema and television.
5. Make useful contributions to academic discussions and learning.
Weekly seminar, lecture and screening, supported by self-directed tasks where appropriate.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Research plan (0%, Not Required for credit)
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
10 min. individual video presentation or 2500-word essay (90%) [ILOs 1-4]
Contribution Mark (10%) [ILO 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.
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. FATV20037).
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 assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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.
