Unit information: Screen Research in 2027/28

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Screen Research
Unit code FATVM0002
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Ms. Katie Mack
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department Department of Film and Television
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit provides an introduction to a range of key techniques for research in screen studies, as well as offering insight into the research of related media forms. The unit analyses different approaches to research problems and their investigation by drawing on a range of illustrative case studies. It explores some of the methodological problems presented by the moving image that are relevant to the different research questions and objectives. Students will engage with key areas of screen research that may be relevant to the their future dissertation projects.

Unit Aims:

  • To introduce key research techniques in film and television studies including, for example, textual, historical, contextual and practical approaches.
  • To provide students with transferable skills of working both independently and collaboratively on a presentation which critically situates and reflects on a particular research approach or methodology.
  • To explore a variety of different research questions and approaches to research
  • To encourage development of research ideas and their practical realisation
  • To foster a research culture of independent enquiry.

Your learning on this unit

Learning Outcomes:

  1. demonstrate familiarity with a range of research problems and deployment of relevant methods for their academic exploration.
  2. show breadth of knowledge about different approaches to research in film and television including practice as a form of research.
  3. test theories and ideas, to interrogate a range of source materials.
  4. reflect critically on different methodologies and demonstrated the ability to present collaboratively the relevant observations in a clear and scholarly fashion.
  5. formulate their own research interests into appropriate research questions and formulate a proposal for a dissertation project which a) critically appraises existing research in the field, and b) explains appropriate objectives and methodologies.
  6. make useful contributions to academic discussions and learning.

How you will learn

Weekly workshop, seminar, and screening, supported by self-directed activity where appropriate.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Individual presentation of group project (40%) (ILOs 1;2;4)

Dissertation Proposal (1000 words) & Literature Review (1,500 words) (50%) (ILOs 1-3;5)

Contribution Mark (10%) [ILO 6]

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.

Resources

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. FATVM0002).

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.