Module manager: Dr Claudia Sternberg
Email: c.sternberg@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
ARTF2044 Cinema and Culture
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module explores the history of film as a global cultural form and mass medium and the evolving relationship between ‘traditional’ cinema and what has been termed ‘post-cinema’. In the first part of the module, we examine how film was produced, disseminated and experienced from its beginnings in the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. In the second part, we look at how television and digital technologies as well as new media forms have reshaped cinematic experiences, especially in the 21st century. We consider post-cinematic changes and opportunities in narrative, aesthetics, distribution and audience engagement as well as cinema’s enduring continuities, ‘cinenostalgia’ and metacinematic reflection. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module aims to equip you with film historical and theoretical knowledge about the long history that underpins contemporary film culture. You will gain an understanding of what initially constituted the ‘aura’ of popular entertainment on the large screen so that you can situate and discuss key differences between post-cinema and traditional cinema. These include, among others, the use of technologies like CGI, VR and AR; small-screen distribution via streaming platforms rather than purpose-built movie theatres; fan and audience participation; digital-influenced aesthetics such as hyperrealism and glitch; transmedia, multimedia, interactive and non-linear storytelling; bottom-up filmmaking networks and practices; AI-assisted authorship and creation. Lectures and case studies help you build a knowledge base for your own oral, written and/or audiovisual contributions to the module.
On successful completion of the module, you will have demonstrated that you can
1. examine and assess salient features of film and cinema before and after the advent of television and digital media;
2. articulate and discuss historical and contemporary theoretical positions on the cinema in relation to the above;
3. construct an analytical (comparative) case study informed by your knowledge of cinema and post-cinema, using the format of a written essay or audiovisual videographic criticism.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will have demonstrated that you can
4. effectively design and present an argument using digital formats and tools;
5. improve and refine your own ideas and those of your peers through providing and responding to feedback and working together.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 156 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
During termtime, student progress will be monitored based on attendance and the use of resources on Minerva. One-to-one meetings (not email) will be arranged with non-active and absentee students to establish how they engage with the module content and prepare for their submissions (incl. the peer assessment element).
Students can see the lecturer in person or use the 1:1 ‘journal’ function on Minerva to share their ideas and plans for the assessed work prior to submission.
The module also has a mechanism for students to provide and receive peer feedback for the first assignment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Oral | 20 |
| Coursework | Written or audiovisual | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 02/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team