Programme Specification 1 1. Programmes: Programme Title UCAS GU Code Code MA Film & Television Studies P390 P390-2000 2. Attendance Type: Full Time 2.1 SCQF Level: 10 2.2 Credits: 480 3. Awarding Institution: University of Glasgow 4. Teaching Institutions: 5. College: College of Arts 6. School/Institute: Culture and Creative Arts [REG10100000] 7. Programme Accredited By: 1 This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course can be found in course handbooks and other programme documentation and online at www.gla.ac.uk The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed periodically by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. ProgrammeSpecification2011-V1 Page 1 of 6
Not applicable 8. Entrance Requirements: Please refer to the current undergraduate prospectus at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/prospectuses/undergraduate/ 8.1 ATAS Certificate Requirement: No 9. Programme Aims: The aims expressed below are the overarching aims of the FTV Honours programme. This specification refers to the Single Honours programme. It is recognised (and articulated in level descriptors) that students following a Joint Honours may specialise within this in either Film or Television Studies. 1. to provide a range of topics, approaches and methodologies which will enable students to construct a learning programme which explores key areas in film and television studies and reflects their own interests in the discipline; 1. to provide a context for the advanced critical understanding of selected aesthetic, cultural and historical debates in film and television studies; 1. to provide a context for the understanding of the cultural background and industrial practices within which cinema and television are produced and consumed; 1. to provide a context for the confident and critical application of theoretical approaches and methods to specialised areas of cinema and television; 1. to foster and refine skills in independent and group research and encourage advanced levels of scholarship in response to current academic research in selected fields of study; 1. to consolidate effective presentational skills appropriate for the activities being undertaken and the context in which they are presented 10. Intended Learning Outcomes of Programme: The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas. Knowledge and Understanding To demonstrate the critical reading and analysis of screen texts combined with an understanding of cultural and historical context and methods of analysis; To demonstrate an understanding and contextualisation of critical texts in relation both to the methods employed and the broader context in which critical debate has developed in the field of film and television studies; Skills and Other Attributes ProgrammeSpecification2011-V1 Page 2 of 6
Subject-specific/practical skills The ability to make detailed textual analysis of film and television material and to apply such skills in independent work. A familiarity with research approaches, themes and methods across a variety of topics which will include mainstream and non-mainstream cinema and video material An understanding of the way in which particular instances of film and television are positioned in, arise out of and are regulated by institutions, policies and other frameworks. Intellectual Skills The capacity to make arguments, develop ideas and apply them in different contexts The ability to identify the relationship between different intellectual approaches and chose those appropriate to a particular instance Transferable/key skills The selection and management of a learning programme within the framework provided, incorporating independent and team or group work; the identification, construction and execution of individual research projects, based upon broad knowledge of subject specific areas and drawing on appropriate resources. the critical, coherent and (where appropriate) imaginative presentation of ideas in a range of formats, using appropriate conventions of acknowledgement and referencing 11. Assessment Methods: There are three prescribed elements: A. Compulsory Core Courses for Honours: two courses in Film and Television Analysis and one course in Media and Cultural Policy to be taken in Junior Honours year (20 credits each). B. Specialist Options: seven courses chosen from a range offered (20 credits each) C. Dissertation (12,000 words), to be submitted in second semester of Senior Honours year (40 credits) (Joint students choose one core course (either Film or Television Analysis); five options; and a dissertation which may be done in either of their joint subjects) Summary of Assessment Assessment is varied and is related to the learning outcomes of individual courses. The overall assessment portfolio combines unseen examinations; coursework essays varying in length from 1,500-4,000 words; reports; in-class presentations; video/digital film work; progress assessment. The actual balance will depend on choice but students will be required to take at least one unseen examination. Learning outcomes are covered by the mix of courses on the programme with the dissertation giving particular scope for demonstrating the full range of independent understanding within the context of an individual project. Each option, while covering a particular area of the discipline, combines attention to critical reading with a contextual and analytical understanding of screen texts which are assessed through coursework essays and/or unseen examination. Core courses in film and television analysis underpin subject specific skills. They involve work in small groups and are assessed by oral presentations, class tests on specific extracts. The core course in Media and Cultural Policy underpins work on institutions, policy and regulation and is assessed through two reports. Assessment Criteria: Work is assessed in terms of content, sources, critical approaches, structure, presentation and style. These ProgrammeSpecification2011-V1 Page 3 of 6
broad headings are given a more specific relationship to learning on each course in the course documentation. Assessment follows the University s code of practice in terms of grading and awards. 12. Learning and Teaching Approaches: Learning is supported by a range of teaching methods. Screenings are integrated into the courses and teaching involves a mix of short lectures (less than 50 minutes), seminars, group work, student presentations, individual tutorials. Dissertation work is supported by specialist input by staff from the library and the effective learning service. Presentations to peer-group and academic staff take place at several points during the course and across different modules; throughout emphasis is placed on student discussion and interaction. 13. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Statements and Other External or Internal Reference Points: Aims and outcomes relate to the Benchmarking statement produced by the Communications, Media, Film and Cultural Studies benchmarking group as it relates to Film and Television Studies http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/honours/communications.asp 14. Programme Structure and Features: Theatre, Film and Television Studies offers a range of courses in Film and Television Studies which can be taken within four different undergraduate MA programmes - a four-year programme of full study leading to the degree of MA with single honours in Film and Television Studies - a four-year programme of study leading to the degree of MA with joint honours in Film and Television Studies and one other subject from a list approved by the University - courses from one semester (20 credits) to two years in duration leading to the degree of MA with single or joint honours in an other subject - courses from one semester (20credits) in duration contributing to the degree of MA (General Humanities). A candidate for the Honours degree must obtain a minimum of 480 credits, 240 of which must be awarded for Honours courses. The four years of study are divided into two pre-honours years, followed by two Honours years in which the student specialises in Film and Television Studies (Single Honours) or Film and Television Studies and one other subject (Joint Honours). Students must take a minimum of 120 credits in each of the pre-honours years. Level 1 Reading the Screen: Cinema Reading the Screen: Television 20 credits Level 2 20 credits Entry to Level 2 courses in Film and Television Studies requires a D pass in the two Level 1 courses. History, Aesthetics and Genre 20 credits Spectatorship, Audiences and Identities 20 credits Honours Film and Television Studies is available as either single honours or joint honours wherein Film and ProgrammeSpecification2011-V1 Page 4 of 6
Television Studies will represent 50% of the honours curriculum. In each case the Honours curriculum is pursued over two-years of study, generally the third and fourth year of enrolment. In order to guarantee a place in the Honours class, you must achieve, at first submission or sitting, a B3 in each module at Level 2, o equivalent (i.e. a B2 and C1 is equivalent to two B3s). In the event that there are additional places available in the Honours class once students achieving these tariffs have been admitted, the following criteria will be used to discriminate between those students on the borderline: point-based numerical mean across both Level Two modules; seminar attendance and participation throughout Level Two; ability to meet essay deadlines academic performance at Level One. Honours student may take the junior honours year in Australia or Canada following a recognised programme of study in a partner university. Joint honours A joint honours curriculum consists of a programme of core courses and electives totalling 240 credits over the two years of the honours course. In the joint honours programme, the Film and Television Studies curriculum of 120 credits is taken alongside courses totaling 120 credits in another subject. Students are required to undertake a dissertation in Film and Television Studies or in their other joint subject. Single honours A single honours curriculum consists of core courses and electives in Film and Television Studies totalling 240 credits taken over the two years of the honours programme The following table may be useful Single Honours Junior Honours Core courses Film analysis (20 units; Television analysis (20 units); Media and Cultural Policy (20 units) Two options each worth 20 credits from a selection Choose dissertation topic and begin preparation Senior Honours Dissertation (40 units) Four options each worth 20 credits from a selection Joint Honours Junior Honours Core course Film or Television Analysis (20 credits) two options each worth 20 credits from a selection Choose whether to do dissertation topic and begin preparation Senior Honours two options and a dissertation each worth 20 credits OR three options each worth 20 credits Dissertation (20 units) 15. Additional Relevant Information: ProgrammeSpecification2011-V1 Page 5 of 6
The Subject consciously links research and teaching and students are taught by staff who are actively engaged in research across different kinds of cinema and television. Students may also take, as part of their degree curriculum, the optional courses (for example, in Multimedia Production or in Text Processing) offered by the University's Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute (HATII). The programme gains from being situated in Glasgow with its wide range of media connections. People working in film and television, often graduates of the University, come into give formal and informal talks to students and there are good opportunities for making connections and gaining experience through the range of institutions in the city. Graduates go on to a wide variety of careers including work in film and television, teaching and various kinds of research and administration. Support for students is provided by the Postgraduate/Undergraduate Adviser(s) of Studies supported by University resources such as the Effective Learning Adviser located in the Student Learning Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/tls/sls/), the Student Counselling and Advisory Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/counselling/), the Student Disability Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/studentdisability/) and the Careers Service (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/careers/). 16. Academic Session: 2011-12 Date of production/revision: 07/11/2011 ProgrammeSpecification2011-V1 Page 6 of 6