Forms and genres in film (15cr)

Objectives (course unit)

To develop students understanding of the centrality of a variety of genres to film, distribution and consumption. To develop a critical understanding of genre as a categorizing methodology within film studies. To develop a systematic understanding of genre and its relationship to audience expectation and reception of film material. To develop an understanding of the specificity of the film medium to the creation of genre products through a case study of the horror genres manifestation in film.
By the end of this module students will understand how to apply theories of genre to the evaluation and analysis of film products, have the critical understanding to identify and categorize film according to generic boundaries, understand the centrality of genre to the production, distribution and exhibition of products, be able to apply theories of genre to film from a variety of national contexts, understand how genre informs audience expectations of a film text and to utilise that knowledge to critically evaluate contemporary products, identify and critically understand film that may blur generic boundaries or be considered generic hybrids and undertake close detailed analysis of films in relation to theories of genre.

Content (course unit)

This module will focus on the development of genre theory in relation to film. It will consider the centrality of the approach to the widening of the scope of film studies in the late 1960s to incorporate the industrial context of production and the consumption of film. Through a case study of ‘horror’ the module will look at specific examples from film in order to assist students understanding of the shifting definitions in play within genre theory. Finally the module will address a number of contemporary film texts that blur the once quite distinct boundaries between genres creating generic hybrids.
Lecture / presentations will introduce theories, concepts and methodologies relating to genre which will be further developed and discussed through examples from film within the seminars and workshops that follow.

Assessment scale

0-5

Learning materials

Course outline with reference to indicative texts and/or other learning materials/resources is shown in Tabula

Student workload

The student is expected to complete the course tasks partly outside the contact teaching times

Content scheduling

Exact schedule is given in 1.9.2015 orientation day

Completion alternatives

Completion alternatives must be negotiated with the teacher

International connections

The program is held in cooperation with Salford University

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Assessment criteria
Not approved
0 = Fail; less than half of the course tasks submitted and/or done incorrectly; no or hardly any attendance; no feedback to peers and teacher(s)

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Satisfactory
1 = approved; half of the course tasks submitted; some misunderstandings finalizing the tasks; attendance level low; no feedback to peers and teacher
2 = satisfactory; more than half of the course tasks submitted; quality of tasks below average; attendance level low or average; hardly any feedback to peers and teacher(s)

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Good
3 = good; all course tasks submitted and done in an average way; course attendance and feedback to peers and/or teacher satisfactory
4 = very good; all tasks finalized and submitted correctly in due time; good course attendance and activity; active feedback to peers and teacher

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Excellent
5 = excellent; all tasks done in an outstanding way and submitted on schedule; high attendance and activity; active and well-thought feedback to peers and teacher