Programme Specification for Film Studies (Combined) BA (Hons)
|
Final award |
BA (Hons) |
|
Intermediate awards available |
Cert HE, Dip HE, |
|
UCAS code |
- |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Film Studies, Media, Cultural and Communication Studies |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
December 2012 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
BANNER BOX:
This is a programme which prepares students for a wide range of graduate opportunities in the media, creative and cultural industries. .
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- 240 UCAS tariff points or equivalent
Approved foundation or Level 0 programme
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is Film Studies (Combined)?
Film Studies is the study of the theory and history of film and video cultures and industries in conjunction with other subjects within the humanities, including Literature, Cultural Studies and Media Studies. It represents an interdisciplinary collaboration between these fields. Students may choose between taking Film Studies as a Major, Joint or Minor pathway. Students wishing to take film as a Single honours BA should refer to Film and Video: Theory and Practice (UCAS code W621)
Film and Video: Theory and Practice at UEL
- Offers a broad study of the theory and history of film, video and cinema in conjunction with learning in other subjects areas of the Humanities and Media, Cultural and Communication Studies
Programme structure
Typically 3 years full time; 4-6 years part-time. Upon a foundation of relevant theory andhistory , students choose from a wide prospectus of subjects and approaches, including film/video theory and history and work-based learning. In level 3, students will complete an independent dissertation research project.
Learning environment
Lectures, seminars and workshops.
Assessment
Continuous assessment of units through a variety of forms of coursework. No compulsory exams. To pass a module a student is required to achieve the pass level of 40%. Students must complete 12 modules in total in levels 2 and 3, including at least 5 in level 3.
Work experience/placement opportunities
All students will have the opportunity in level 2 to undertake work-based learning in the film or related culture industries.
Project work
Students will have the opportunity to develop their own ideas and interests in project work on non-production modules. Production projects will normally be based on collaborative small group work.
Added value
Students have benefited from work placements that have been extended over the summer vacation of year 2 – these extensions have been mutually agreed with industry partners.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- Visual Culture
- Popular Culture
- Creative Writing
- Film History
- Multimedia and Computer Arts
- Humanities
If you enjoy...
- thinking/working creatively-critically
- working collaboratively
- developing writing skills
- critically reading/watching/listening to mass media output
If you want...
- to develop study and research skills essential for degree-level study (analytical reading and note-taking, essay planning and writing, reports, independent thinking, problem solving, coherent reasoning, academic writing
- to learn the history and theory of Film and Video production and consumption in conjunction with other subject areas including Literature, Media and Cultural Studies, Interactive Media and History
Your future career
As well as opportunities in the immediate areas of film and video industries, this combined programme offers students career opportunities in many other, related parts of the media and culture industries such as television, advertising, journalism, teaching.
How we support you
Each student will have a personal tutor responsible for providing regular guidance and support in relevant areas of personal and academic life. In addition, students will have regular access to academic tutors on each of their modules. Additional support for study and research skills will be available in weekly workshops.
Bonus factors
The degree takes place within the context of the thriving media and cultural industries of East London and students are encouraged to participate in and make links with local drama schools, film festivals and experimental cinemas and film clubs.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Enjoy a stimulating and engaging introduction into the study of a broad range of film and video culture from different parts of the world and from different historical eras.
- To acquire critical skills in the history and theory of film and video production and consumption as well as a chosen second subject.
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- Of the context and character of cinema, film and video from a theoretical, international and historical perspective.
Thinking skills
- How to identify where audio-visual production of the past is relevant to audio-visual production of the present.
- How to develop your own point of view in relation to specified films and other texts.
- How to analyse the complexities of film and video cultures.
- How to make intellectual connections between Film and your shosen second subject
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Competence in writing skills such as essays, projects and presentations.
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- how to organise and manage a workload effectively
- how to locate and select sources of information for written work/research
- how to work collaboratively
- how to give oral presentations
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is three years full-time or five years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in September and ends in June, but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. A typical full-time student will study the equivalent of 120 credits over the year. A typical part-time student will study for one day per week and will complete up to 80 credits.
What you will study when
This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.
Modules are defined as:
- Core - Must be taken
- Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
- University wide option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University
The following are the core and optional requirements for the single and major pathways for this programme
| LEVEL | Module Code | TITLE | CREDITS | STATUS MAJOR | STATUS JOINT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
MS1200 |
Introduction to Film |
20 |
Core |
Core* |
|
1 |
MS1202 |
Early and Silent Cinema |
20 |
Core |
Option |
|
1 |
MS1204 |
Classical Hollywood Cinema |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
1 |
MS1402 |
Media Meanings |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
1 |
MS1406 |
Film Analysis |
20 |
Core |
Core |
|
2 |
MS2204 |
Film and Critical Theory |
20 |
Core |
Core |
|
2 |
TBC |
Animation |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
CC2501 |
Understanding the Culture Industries |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
MS2203 |
Documentary Cinema |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
TBC |
Avant Garde Cinema |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
TBC |
Realisms |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
TBC |
Soviet Cinema |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
CC2508 |
Working in the Culture Industries |
20 |
Core |
N/A |
|
2 |
MS2205 |
Film & Critical Theory II |
20 |
Core |
Core |
|
2 |
TBC |
Art Cinema |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
MS3200 |
Dissertation |
40 |
Core* |
Option* |
|
3 |
MS3407 |
Film and Memory |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
MS3205 |
World Cinema |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
MS3200 |
Dissertation |
20 |
NA |
Option |
|
3 |
TBC |
Film Animation |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
MS3405 |
Urban Film |
20 |
Option |
Option |
* Students taking these options may not take the equivalent study skills module in the other part of their programme.
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.
In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)
Degree Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:
|
The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 |
× |
2/3 |
+ |
The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 |
× |
1/3 |
and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
First Class Honours |
|
60% - 69% |
Second Class Honours, First Division |
|
50% - 59% |
Second Class Honours, Second Division |
|
40% - 49% |
Third Class Honours |
|
0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through
- presentation of frameworks of information in lectures
- student centred seminar discussions
- reading of specified texts on a weekly basis
- Viewing of films and videos on a weekly basis
Thinking skills are developed through
- close analysis of specified texts
- individual and small group exercises in seminar sessions and workshops.
Practical skills are developed through
- Study, research and employability skills
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- understanding of university and degree programme and structure
- tutorials to discuss individual progress
- group project work
- Individual coursework assignments
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- coursework essays, case studies, reports, evaluations, presentations
Thinking skills are assessed by
- coursework essays, case studies, reports, evaluations, journals, presentations..
Practical skills are assessed by
- tutor-observation
- evidence of demonstrable understanding in completed project work
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- involvement in and contribution to seminar/ workshop sessions
- ability to understand and meet requirements of module specifications
- attendance at regular tutorials
- involvement in and contribution to group project work
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University’s Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- Module study guides
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies http://www.uel.ac.uk/hss/index.htm
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
