module specification

This module introduces students to the evolution and history of film from 1895 to 1950.

Students will explore key developments in the evolution of film such as the origins of the moving image. You will discern between the ‘cinema of attractions,’ the development of continuity editing, and early narrative cinema. You will identify the evolution of art cinema in German Expressionism and Surrealism. The ambition of Soviet Montage will be discussed and you will analyse editing techniques, elements of mise en scene, and cinematography. The emergence of sound, animation, and establishment of the Hollywood studio system will be evaluated. Propaganda use of cinema during war will be critically assessed. You will understand how Film Noir reflected the 1940s.

Students will understand key moments in the evolution of film and be able to contextualise within broader cultural, industrial, technological, political and social contexts.

Attention is primarily given to feature films, but documentary, experimental, and non-canonical films will be scrutinised, and both feature and short-length will be screened and considered.

The module provides an overview of some key developments in the evolution of film as an art form and popular culture. This is examined in broader cultural, industrial, technological, political and social contexts. LO1-3

The module also examines where relevant aesthetic and formal features including the evolution of editing, mise en scene, cinematography, sound, narrative, non-narrative and generic characteristics.  LO1-4

The module introduces students to the history of film from 1895 to 1950. It explores key developments, movements and trends in countries such as Britain, Italy, France, Germany, America, as well as the global south, including the ‘cinema of attractions’; the emergence of narrative cinema; German Expressionism; Surrealism; the development of the sound film; early animation; film as propaganda; the Hollywood studio system; and Film-Noir LO1-4

This module introduces key academic skill for students of film such as historical analysis, research sources, referring to secondary sources in academic writing, and presentations so that students acquire the necessary knowledge and theoretical background to move to spring modules and level 5. These skills are embedded with a research task that feeds into a student presentation.

Scheduled teaching provides the guidance and foundation to ensure that independent study is effective in addressing the module’s learning outcomes and assessment tasks.

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Varied student-centred approaches such as active, flipped, and blended learning.

• Screening and analysis

• Student presentations

• Individual coursework

• Blended learning through the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)

• Embed the ESJF in fostering learning that is enjoyable, accessible, relevant and that takes account of the social and cultural context and capital of its students.

• Activities foster peer-to-peer community building and support for learning. Reflective learning is promoted through interim formative feedback points asking students to reflect on their progress, identify the opportunity for improvement, and make recommendations to themselves for future development.

Formative and summative feedback is provided after each coursework, in written form on WebLearn, in-class after the in-class presentation, by email or in person after an individual appointment.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

LO1: Understand and analyse film texts within their context of production.

LO2: Deploy accurately established models of analysis in the field of film history.

LO3: Manage their own learning and make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources appropriate to the subject.

LO4: Exhibit skills of oral presentation, group work and reflexivity through the seminar process and course work.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F1BE6578-15E9-399C-3469-27E0B744E380.html