Module: FSS5103-20 Untold Stories: Screen Industries Research Project

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr. Jamie Steele

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.steele@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module is designed to better understand key issues and debates in the screen industry, and facilitates students in their independent research of key topics. The module will include – but is not exclusive to – d/Deaf audiences, visually impaired audiences, working class, and disabled audiences. The primary focus of the module is the theoretical approaches required to better understand accessibility as a mode of (film) practice. Students will study diversity and inclusion standards for film exhibition (including film festivals), the process of captioning, key case studies and key texts in the relevant fields. The aim of the module is for the students to gain essential skills in the film exhibition and film production sectors (according to UK diversity and inclusion standards).

2. Outline syllabus

This module provides students with the opportunity to experience working in a cultural or creative organisation and to develop valuable skills that can be utilised in other contexts. The main focus is for the student to negotiate and conduct a work-based project with an employer or other outside body of their choosing. In the first part of this module, the module is focused on a greater contextual knowledge and understanding of accessibility in film and screen studies/ industries. The module will focus on one of the following areas: d/Deaf audiences, visually impaired audiences, working class, and disabled audiences. In so doing, it will focus on key examples and texts. The project could involve specific tasks in the chosen organisation, and could be a written assignment, making a video, developing a poster/display or a pamphlet, or any combination. The module informs academic, practical and theoretical study through an applied practical approach.

3. Teaching and learning activities

The teaching on this module will comprise weekly lectures and seminars in the first part of the module, which then move to a workshop-based approach. The focus of the workshops will be to encourage the students to lead their own projects on related topics to the module. The teaching activities will offer support for the following areas relevant to the module and assessments:

• Academic Writing and Referencing

• Teamworking

• Time management

• Editing

• Websites/ Blogs

• Writing for Accessibility

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Portfolio Industry Review (2,500 words)

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Portfolio Research Project/ Video Essay/ Desktop Documentary (equivalent to 2,500 words)

• % Weighting: 50%