You complete two 15-credit modules, Introduction to Film Studies in Semester 1 and European and American Art Cinema in Semester 2, if you choose this subject.
Film studies on the IFP is an exciting subject. The Department of Fim Studies at Queen Mary is ranked No.1 in the 2016 Guardian Newspaper League Tables.
Film studies should appeal to a broad range of students, including those who wish to do a degree in film studies after the international foundation programme, but also to any student who enjoys watching and analysing films. Film studies is a very interdisciplinary academic field which touches on a number of areas, including history, business, politics, philosophy and technology. Most students find the subject interesting, and enjoy watching and reading about films, as well as discussing their meaning.
Introduction to Film Studies provides a broad introduction to some of the main issues and concepts in film studies, and to the history of Classical Hollywood Cinema as well as some of its major genres. Topics on this module include cinematic codes, mise-en scene, genre, stars and Classical Hollywood narrative. European and American Art Cinema explores some of the main issues and concepts in Art Cinema, focussing on a number of important movements including Italian Neorealism, French New Wave, British Social Realism and contemporary Hollywood cinema. It also looks at concepts such as auteurism.
A representation of the Hollywood actor Humphrey Bogarde
You are taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. You are expected to contribute to seminars, and to read a number of texts and watch a film in preparation for each week's session. You develop your ability to analyse (‘read’) films in an informed and coherent way.
You are assessed through a combination of class tests, coursework and a final exam. Coursework includes oral assessments and presentations, and essays.
The module is taught by Philippa Kennedy, who completed her MA in Film Studies here at Queen Mary in 2004. She has taught film studies on the International Foundation and Pre-Masters programmes for a number of years, and has also taught modules on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film. She has wide-ranging interests in the study of cinema, including westerns, film noir, French and Italian cinema, documentaries and modern American TV series.
You are expected to prepare for, and contribute fully to, seminar discussions. The preparation consists of watching a film and reading a number of handouts each week. No prior knowledge of film studies is expected, although you should enjoy watching and analysing films.
You are able to apply for for a range of undergraduate degree programmes in Film Studies at Queen Mary University of London. Film Studies at Queen Mary is a large and vibrant department within the School of Langugages Linguistics and Film. The Film Department at Queen Mary is one of the most dynamic and highly regarded centres in the UK (ranked first out of 90 UK departments in the Guardian University Guide 2016).
To get an idea of some of the topics and ideas covered in film studies on the IFP, you may wish to dip into some of the following texts, which are all core books for this module:
Bordwell, D. and Thompson, K (2004) Film Art: An Introduction 7th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cook, D.A. (2004) A History of Narrative Film 4th Edition. New York: Norton.
Cook, P. and Bernink, M. (eds) (1999) The Cinema Book 2nd Edition. London: BFI Publishing.
Hayward, S. (1966) Key Concepts in Cinema Studies. London: Routledge.
Thompson, K. and Bordwell, D. (2003) Film History: An Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Books authored by academics in the Department of Film Studies at Queen Mary
