MODULE DETAILS

Description

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module offers students the ability to understand the evolution and development of film criticism and film journalism, as well as putting into practice their learning and understanding in the writing of short form film reviews. The module is designed to offer students the understanding of historical developments in film criticism and film journalism. It situates their understanding of forms of film writing and approaches to film criticism.  

This module aims to offer students to critical tools and experience in developing a portfolio in film criticism and film journalism. It offers guidance on writing and developing pitches, writing for print and online media, and it also provides the practical tools for podcasting and video essays as forms of contemporary film journalism and criticism. 

2. Outline syllabus: 

The module is designed to start with historicising film journalism and criticism, through to print media and film journalism, and finally, film journalism and digital platforms (writing for digital magazines) and producing online content (film journalism and podcasting and video essays). As the assessment is project-based, the structure of the module commences with lectures and seminars, and then is developed through guest speakers and their experiences of film criticism and journalism, and workshops on podcasting and producing video essays. There will also be workshops designed to support editing for writing, podcasting and video essay production. The module will include the following: 

1. Historicising Film Criticism

2. Film Criticism in Europe: Key Developments

3. Film Criticism in the UK and US: Film Magazines

4. Film Criticism and Film Journalism in the Digital Era

5. Writing and Developing Pitches

6. Understanding Pitch Guidelines

7.  Writing for Print Media

8. Film Journalism and Podcasting

9. Audiovisual Criticism: Video Essays as Film Criticism

10. Guest sessions and talks 

3. Teaching and learning activities: 

This module is designed as a 3-hour lecture/ seminar/ workshop, which engages with a range of teaching and learning practices that develop throughout the module. The module will be structured through lectures, which provide introductions to the core concepts and approaches to film criticism and film journalism. The seminars will discuss and debate relevant approaches, as well as using them for peer review and peer discussion of portfolio work. Workshops will provide the opportunity to include guest lectures and guest sessions on relevant topics to film journalism and for advice/ guidance on pitch guidelines, conducting interviews, and for writing film reviews. 

Assessment Details