MCH1010 : Research Methods for Film Practice
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Mr Simon Rushton
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Evripidis Karydis
- Lecturer: Dr Raisa Sidenova
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module introduces students to academic skills, research methods and approaches for undertaking undergraduate study in film and media practice. This will involve an introduction to core research skills, including library use, academic writing, reflective analysis, database- and archive-film-collection-based research, and the engagement with non-filmic primary and secondary sources. It will also provide an introduction to key research methodologies for film students including practice-based research, ethnography, semiotics, audience and industry studies, historical analysis, and cultural, philosophical and textual approaches to critical film analysis. Students will also be introduced to fundamental debates related to film and media practice including ethics, privacy and the role of creative practice within knowledge creation. Students will also be introduced to broader academic research methods such as qualitative and quantitative research, building an understanding of film’s position within wider humanities and academia, and preparing students for the compulsory modules in the Film Practice and Film & Media programmes.
This module aims to:
1. Develop a base understanding of the expectations of undergraduate research practice.
2. Develop the skills required to undertake study and research within film and media.
3. Develop an understanding of the variety of research approaches which film can be engaged with within a university context.
4. Develop an understanding of the relationship between film practice, film theory and humanities research more broadly.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will be structured to progressively introduce students to the fundamental elements of undergraduate research in film and media and the major research methodologies.
Introduction to undergraduate research practice:
Library skills, introduction to journal-based research and database searching, academic writing and referencing.
Research skills for film practice:
Introduction to practice-based research, reflective analysis skills, archive-film-collection-based research, and engaging and creating non-filmic primary sources (i.e. interviews, scripts and dialogue lists).
Research methodologies for film and media practice:
Introduction to the role of research methods in academia. Introduction to ethnographic and qualitative research, semiotic analysis, audience and industry approaches to film, historical analysis techniques and approaches for film, film practice, and cultural, philosophical and textual approach to critical film analysis.
Relationships, debates and limits of film in the academic world:
The capacity and role of creative practice within knowledge creation. Ethics and film practice, privacy and UK legal limits for film.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | On-campus lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Working on Assessment 2 |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Working on Assessment 1 |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 77:00 | 77:00 | Preparation for the seminars on the weekly basis |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | On-campus seminars |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures that introduce key principles and concepts and seminars that will provide an opportunity for small-group learning and key reading discussion.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | 1000-word annotated bibliography |
| Essay | 1 | A | 50 | 2000-word essay answering a set essay question |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 10 | Participation and engagement |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The rationale for the assessment is to enable the students to demonstrate their grasp of the key research methodologies related to film practice, as well as key undergraduate research skills being introduced in the module, including the production of written academic essays and referencing.
The professional skills assessment (Engagement and participation at 10%) will account for students' classroom contribution and module citizenship. This is not based solely on registered attendance - seminar contribution, seminar facilitation, feedback discussions and peer-to-peer engagement will be monitored on a weekly basis.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH1010's Timetable