2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM2850 Cinematic Themes

20 Credits Class Size: 108

Module manager: Dr Miriam Kent
Email: M.R.Kent@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Through active engagement with diverse film texts and theoretical perspectives, this module equips you to critically analyse approaches to the study of the cinema, fostering essential skills in research, communication and film literacy.

Objectives

This module aims to enable you to identify, explain and synthesise critical themes and theoretical frameworks used in the study of cinema, considering their historical development and contemporary relevance. You will evaluate the significance of cinematic themes as tools of ideology, and apply selected critical themes and theoretical models to the analysis of individual films and/or the work of individual filmmakers, drawing upon textual and contextual understanding. You will conduct research on specific cinematic themes, applying relevant theoretical frameworks and demonstrating proficiency in film literacy and research methods, and communicate the complex ideas and arguments that they generate through academic writing.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1- Identify and interpret the key elements of film form.
2- Analyse how film techniques and narrative choices construct and respond to dominant ideologies, considering cultural and historical contexts.
3- Evaluate key concepts in film theory in relation to specific film examples.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

4- Critically analyse arguments and evidence from diverse sources to form independent interpretations.
5- Analyse complex issues related to specific cultural contexts with critical awareness.
6- Communicate clear, coherent and persuasive arguments in written formats, using appropriate evidence and academic conventions.
7- Effectively research, evaluate and synthesise information from online and offline sources.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Film Screenings 10 2 20
Supervision 1 0.3 0.3
Lecture 11 1 11
Seminar 11 1 11
Independent online learning hours 44.5
Private study hours 113.2
Total Contact hours 42.3
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Monitoring of seminar contributions; Oral feedback during seminar discussions.
Individualised oral feedback provided in one-to-one tutorial in advance of assessment.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework Scene analysis 40
Coursework Essay 60
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Resit is to repeat the assessment

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team