FT1ATF: Approaches to Film

Module code: FT1ATF

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr James Kenward-Abdollahyan , email: j.kenward-abdollahyan@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor John Gibbs, email: john.gibbs@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 22 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to familiarise students with a range of critical and interpretative tools for the close analysis of film texts; to enhance their understanding of the ways that meaning is produced and organised in films; to enable them to recognise conventions of fiction and non-fiction cinema, and to describe them in appropriate terms; to enable them to recognise departures from mainstream convention, and to understand these systematically, and describe them in appropriate terms; to extend their understanding of cinema as a diverse, global and transcultural medium. It further aims to enable students: to examine the historical and cultural contexts in which these texts were produced; to complement their own development as practitioners with stimulating contexts and references.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills of close analysis appropriate to film study, and an  understanding of the ways in which meaning is produced in films;
2. Use their knowledge of central conventions of film in order to make informed judgements and to develop clearly argued interpretations;
3. Articulate in written work a critical understanding of the cultural, historical and critical developments appropriate to a diverse range of films ;
4. Identify and relate patterns in film as artistic practice to its cultural and historical contexts;
5. Achieve the following skills and competencies appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of film.

Module content

Approaches to Film introduces students to the critical tools needed for degree-level film study by establishing key terms and ideas; it will also demonstrate and model a range of approaches, enabling students to consider film in relation to (for example): history and politics; identity and representation; media and entertainment; fiction and documentary. The module challenges student to apply their analytical, interpretive and research skills to aesthetically, culturally and historically sign ificant trends and movements in film history. An indicative list includes: modernist cinema in Europe of the 1920s; Classical Hollywood, 1930-60; documentary practices; global cities in cinema.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is taught through lectures, seminar groups, peer study groups and screenings.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.