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Moving Images - Texts and Contexts - TFT00037C

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This humanities module considers a range of issues in relation to screen media, focusing in particular on the contexts in which such media are
entangled, and the way media in turn intervenes in the world. Discussing topics such as representation, decolonisation, materiality, ethics, labour, and
more, the module asks you to reflect on the power of media, and the significance of the various choices that are made at the levels of production,
distribution, and discourse.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Module aims:

  • to provide a more detailed understanding of moments of significant aesthetic, social, and technological change in the development of various screen media (including, but not limited to, film and television).
  • to demonstrate the embeddedness of screen media within wider cultural, political, technological, and social contexts.
  • to furnish you both with analytical techniques for the investigation of the ways that screen media react to and shape the world, and also the communication competencies to describe these processes in detail.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, you will:

  • be familiar with some significant concepts and debates within Film Studies, Television Studies, and New Media as they emerged (and continue to emerge) at key points of change in media history, and to apply these appropriately
  • be able to confidently explore the relationship between a media text and some of its contexts of production.
  • be able to reflect critically on the way the media texts discuss or comment upon a range of issues.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

As stated, a short formative essay will appear mid-way through the module.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Bennett, J and Strange, N (eds). (2011). Television as Digital Media. London: Duke University Press.

Erigha, M. (2019). The Hollywood Jim Crow: The Racial Politics of the Movie Industry. New York: NYU Press.

Fisher, M. Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? Winchester: Zero.
Railton, D and Watson, P. (2011). Music Video and the Politics of Representation. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Stam, R. (2000). Film Theory: An Introduction. Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Stariosielski N, and Walker, J. (2016). Sustainable Media: Critical Approaches to Media and Environment. New York: Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.