Skip to main content
KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico
Study Abroad at King’s
Study

Go to…

Introduction To Film Studies: Contexts

Key information

  • Module code:

    4AAQS105

  • Level:

    4

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

 

This module follows on from Introduction to Film Studies: Forms in Semester One. Building on that module's focus on film texts, its specific properties and how to analyse them, this module turns its attention to the contexts of film production, circulation, and critical reception. It does this by posing, and returning to, a question raised by André Bazin: 'What is Cinema?"". Areas of contextual investigation include (but are not limited to): film industries and film institutions; film genres; authorship; and stardom. Students will be introduced to major critical and theoretical discussions of cinema in relationship to topics such as: realism in cinema, national cinemas, race and ethnicity; cinema and spectatorship; new technologies of production, distribution and exhibition.

Assessment details

  • Essay 1500 words (45%)
  • Exam (24 hours, 1200-words) (55%)

Educational aims & objectives

  1. To introduce students to the critical tools for discussing and writing about film as a narrative and non - narrative art.
  2.  To introduce students to the contexts for understanding the history of cinema as an international art form.
  3. To introduce students to sociological and cultural contexts for understanding cinema, especially in relation to its audiences and its forms of spectatorship.

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.