Module manager: Angelos Koutsourakis
Email: a.koutsourakis@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Students will discuss the ethics and politics of European cinema and historical changes in the global landscape, such as the traumas of fascism, the May of ‘68, post-colonialism and the collapse of Socialism, which have influenced films produced in the continent. The module will also explore the New Extremism in European cinema. The main questions to be explored are: What are the ethics of representation in European cinema? How can historical and political changes explain the emergence of certain European film movements? How does European cinema respond to current political impasses? 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:
1. To discuss contemporary European cinema’s response to key moments in European history
2. To understand specific political and historical contexts and their influence upon the films made in Europe
3. To explore historical contexts, formal characteristics, and issues of politics and aesthetics in specific European films
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Subject Specific Learning Outcomes
1. Analyse critically the ethics and politics of representation in contemporary European cinema
2. Appraise connections between film texts and their wider historical, social, and political contexts
3. Develop appropriate textual analysis skills demonstrating the ability to connect film practice and theory.
On successful completion of the module students will develop the following Skills Learning Outcomes:
4. Develop an evidence-based and well-structured argument, complying with the standards of academic integrity
5. Effectively communicate complex ideas and evidence to an academic audience
Through its emphasis on self-directed learning and mutual responsibility, this module intends to foster the following attributes:
1. Skills in scholarly research as applied to and appropriate for the field of film studies.
2. The conceptual and organizational skills required to undertake self-directed learning.
3. The ability to understand the connection between film practice and theoretical and critical knowledge.
4. The research skills to produce an independent project.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Screenings | 20 | 2.5 | 50 |
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 130 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 70 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
In addition to viewing films students will be required to:
Do the weekly reading and prepare for the seminars
Prepare small group presentations
Prepare for the two written assignments
Formative feedback is provided throughout the module. All sessions are based on a seminar format with active discussion and student participation. Although it is a summative assessment, the sequence analysis also provides students with essential formative feedback as they will build on the feedback received when planning, designing, and executing the second assessment (Essay).
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Coursework | Sequence Analysis | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team