SM4066 - Media, Film and Television Histories (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification | ||||||||
| Module title | Media, Film and Television Histories | ||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
In this module you will study the history of the mass media with a particular focus on film and television histories. You will learn about key technological and cultural developments, and theoretical arguments and debates that have emerged in response to these. The module explores the development of photography, moving image, film, animation, and sound recording by relating the technological changes to both their socio-cultural contexts and emerging theoretical perspectives. The module also provides you with a grounding in key academic skills including research, academic reading, and delivering presentations.
The module aims to:
• Provide you with an introduction to the study of media and communications and film and television and their various rationales and methodologies.
• Promote your critical understanding of the history, content and structures of the major media industries and examine the social, political and economic factors which shape them.
• Develop your understanding of the development of debates and theoretical contexts related to the media, film, television and their related technologies.
• Develop and encourage your confidence in the use of appropriate learning, analytical and discursive skills in both oral and written argument, and help you acquire key academic research skills.
Prior learning requirements
No prerequisites
Available for Study Abroad: YES.
Syllabus
This module provides an introduction to the history of film, television and mass media, and to key theoretical arguments and debates that have emerged in response to the rise of mass media. It is divided into weekly sessions each of which will explore a different aspect of the history of the mass media. These may include:
1. Photography 1: early photography and its use in portraiture
2. Photography 2: the development of documentary photography and its influence on public understanding of global events and social life
3. Moving image 1:The development of moving image photography and the aesthetics of early film
4. Moving image 2: silent film and the transition to talking pictures
5. Moving image 3: Soviet montage
6. Moving image 4: animation
7. Moving image 5: propaganda and film
8. Moving image 6: Hollywood Golden Age and its relationship to the culture industry
9. Broadcast media 1:radio, television and public service broadcasting
10. Broadcast media 2: television production and globalisation
11. Broadcast media 3: television audiences
12. Broadcast media 4: sound recording
Each week will provide an overview of the key technological, social and cultural developments in the emergence of the media forms [LO], as well introduce key theoretical debates [LO2]. In addition, the syllabus includes a programme of key academic skills including for example: library research; note taking; presenting; referencing; academic reading etc [LO3&4].
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching methods include formal lectures, seminar discussion, screenings, library sessions and tutorials. Students are expected to attend lectures and seminars: in the seminars they will at times work in small groups and be given practice in listening to each other’s contributions and offering constructive criticism, and in chairing and reporting discussion to the plenary seminar group. The teaching and learning strategy aims to encourage an inclusive and supportive learning environment that respects and values the contributions of individual students and provides opportunities for individual intellectual development through a variety of learning opportunities. Teaching methods may include screenings of films, television programmes, and animations .
The module booklet will be available online, as will lecture outlines and some readings. Weblearn or its equivalent will also be used for communication with students individually and as a cohort. In addition to guided reading, students are expected to read and to use variety of sources (primary and secondary) and use seminars and tutorials to raise issues, questions and seek feedback.
A blended learning strategy will be employed to enhance the learning experience, facilitate communication between students and tutors and develop collaboration among students. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be used as a platform to support online activities including on-line discussions, evaluation of online resources, and access to electronic reading packs. The VLE will also be used to facilitate formative assessment and related feedback, as well as a tool to integrate useful online learning materials provided by research institutions, academic publications, professional organisations and other relevant sources.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Describe the historical development of contemporary media forms including photography, film and television, and the social consequences of those changes.
2. Understand different theoretical approaches to understanding film, mass media and mediated culture and apply those approaches to specific examples
3. Identify and apply a variety of relevant academic sources in developing this understanding
4. Conduct basic research to support your learning and assessment in the study of media history