MP6029 - Cinema and Society

What will I learn on this module?

In this module, you will critically examine the relationship between US filmic institutions (films and industrial bodies – hereafter “cinema”) and different social contexts, including, for example: changes to the Hollywood Studio System (and the birthing of the “New Hollywood”), cinema’s responses to war and global trauma, and cinema’s engagement with issues surrounding race, gender and sexuality. Taught through lectures, demonstrations (film screenings) and student-led seminars, the course explores many of the ways cinema has engaged with key societal concerns.

You will be required to read and reflect on specific theoretical and empirical academic work by leading scholars and commentators and, using your analytical and interpretive skills, relate this work to the issues raised in class and by the accompanying film screenings. The module is assessed by a written essay or equivalent video essay, which is designed to test your knowledge of film history and industry (one of the world's major mass communications industries), to evidence a sophisticated understanding of the issues under scrutiny, and your ability to work to a deadline. Ultimately, the module asks you to consider: What is the significance of studying cinema as a mass communications industry, an outlet for personal expression, and as a political tool? What can cinema tells us about history? What can cinema tell us about ourselves?

How will I learn on this module?

The course will be taught via a series of lectures and seminars. Students are also required to watch one set film per week and, in some cases, may be required to view additional material.

Each lecture will introduce a key film and situate it within its original social (and historical/industrial) context. The lectures will be accompanied by relevant screenings. In the seminars, the issues raised in the lecture/by the film will be discussed in relation to academic literature.

The summative assessment – a written essay or video essay equivalent – aims to ensure that students are able to work and think independently and critically about cinema and society. Reading-based seminars aim to ensure that the students engage with secondary reading. Formative feedback will come from their peers and the module tutor throughout the course will develop their skills, their ability to work independently and collaboratively; thereby identifying strengths and weaknesses in their learning strategies. This will come in addition to formal feedback the student will received having completed the summative assessment.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be academically supported by the module tutor with whom you can make private appointments during their scheduled office hours. These are in place to encourage you to seek advice on course-related materials, including course content and the final assessment.

The seminars will also provide an arena of academic support both from classmates and the module tutor during group discussion. Such discussions are encouraged to aid in your ability to solve problems, to develop robust peer support networks, and to develop key transferable skills that can be employed in the workplace.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

You will be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge of the issues, themes and scholarly debates that characterise the study of cinema in relation to key social concerns.

You will be able to demonstrate analytical and interpretive skills required to formulate and justify independent critical viewpoints regarding cinema's engagement with complex social issues

You will be able to demonstrate an enhanced ability to select from an array of appropriate research methods, theories, and concepts relevant to cinema and society, and deploy said approaches in order to produce appropriately sophisticated written work

On completion of the module you will possess detailed knowledge of cinema as a mass communications industry

Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities
You will display your ability to work independently, including organising your time and meeting deadlines

You will display your ability to participate in collaborative discussions, including being confident in challenging others’ ideas

You will display your ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences in seminars

You will display a clear understanding of how to build upon the transferable skills you have attained during the degree programme as part of your continuing development beyond university

Personal Values Attributes
You will be able to display the attitudes and skills needed to engage and work constructively, sensitively and ethically in conjunction with people from various socio-cultural backgrounds and with divergent skill-sets

How will I be assessed?

Home students
You are required to submit either a 3000 word written essay or an equivalent video essay (7 minutes maximum).

Kaplan students
You are required to submit a 3000 word written essay.

This submission is worth 100% of the overall module grade. The assessment is designed to assess the your ability to research, process and reflect on, complex ideas pertaining to cinema and society.

You will have tutorials in the final week of the semester in which the module tutor will feedback to you regarding your individual progress on the module (your contribution to seminars, attendance, and so forth) based on observations made during teaching sessions.

You will be assessed on your ability to conduct analysis and think critically during the lectures and seminars. This will test your ability to critically engage with film across different historical periods. Class discussions in seminars will also be used to assess your understandings of the concepts outlined in the lectures, and the key reading you will have conducted.

You will receive formative feedback from your peers and the module tutor during the seminars throughout the course, allowing you to apprehend how your analytical skills are developing. You will receive both formative commentary and a summative mark on your written work. You are encouraged to reflect on your methodological choices throughout the course, allowing you to formatively assess your own performance beyond the seminars. The summative assessment will be accompanied with feedback that will support future learning by indicating areas for development, both in your critical skills, and your methodological practices.

Pre-requisite(s)

NA

Co-requisite(s)

NA

Module abstract

In this module, you will critically examine the relationship between US filmic institutions (films and industrial bodies – hereafter “cinema”) and different social contexts, including, for example: changes to the Hollywood Studio System (and the birthing of the “New Hollywood”), cinema’s responses to war and global trauma, and cinema’s engagement with issues surrounding race, gender and sexuality. Taught through lectures, demonstrations (film screenings) and student-led seminars, the course explores many of the ways cinema has engaged with key societal concerns.

Course info

UCAS Code P900

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time

Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Arts

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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