Module: MCO4103-20 - Your World Your Media: Making Film and Media Meaningful

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: TBC

Module Tutor Contact Details: TBC

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module challenges you to identify their underlying motivations for embarking on a film and media degree, providing a space to critically and creatively reflect on the role and potential of film and media as tools in the social world around us. The module will enable you to begin a personal and professional development plan for where their interests in the subject may lead them, exposing you to the University’s key learning resources, skill sets, opportunities and expectations. You will create a portfolio of work that showcases your ideas about the role of film and media in challenging the social world, reflecting on your own future aspirations and plans for how to use film and media in contemporary society.

2.Outline syllabus

In the first part of the module, you will be exposed to a wide range of approaches to doing socially engaged research and practice, showcasing key examples of the roles and potentials of film and media in drawing attention to, challenging and impacting a wealth of social dynamics, such as equality and diversity, heritage, and education. You will consider what it means for film and media to engage industries, communities and individuals. In being exposed to different methods, practices and resources that will be fundamental to University work, such as how to identify research materials, conduct (practice-based) research and media-making, engage in teamwork and collaboration, and book University equipment, you will be asked to consider your own interests and aspirations for film and media as tools in the social world.

In the second part of the module, you will work in groups to communicate these interests and aspirations via the form of a group project, working with peers to produce a portfolio of work that engages with a chosen theme of socially engaged film and media research/practice.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Beyond a range of approaches to socially engaged research and practice in the context of film and media around the world, teaching and learning activities will also provide introductions to:

• Academic writing and referencing
• Teamworking
• Time management
• Filming
• Editing
• Podcasts
• Websites
• Social Media
• Booking equipment
• Clubs & Societies
• Contributing to BSU: International Journal of Creative Media Research, Milk magazine, TV Studios, BSU-wide projects (e.g. Bristol+Bath Creative R+D), Centre for Media Research hackathons, etc.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW
• Description: Individual Portfolio (4000 Words equivalent)
• % Weighting: 100%