This module introduces the various contexts in which the contemporary practices of filmmaking, are defined, debated and displayed. The module is designed to support your first steps as practitioners within the wider field of the visual arts in the 21st century. Through lectures, discussions, screenings and exhibition visits you will be introduced to the historical framework of modernity and post-modernity in order to understand the development and contemporary situation of their discipline. The module is organised as discrete but related teaching blocks that progress from broader questions of cultural practice to the more specific debates that have framed the historical development film and its associated fields - for example artist's video and photography. In the first block, the emphasis is broad and focused on developing in students, an understanding of the notion of practice in filmmaking and the wider visual arts, by addressing the historical, theoretical, social and political factors that have affected our understanding of its function. In the second block, you will be encouraged to consider the key debates, theoretical questions and changing contexts that inform your discipline. Throughout there is an emphasis on the introduction of key analytical, critical and research skills, and through close engagement with visual sources, historical texts and contemporary critical writing, you will begin to develop the tools necessary to discuss, conceptualise and reflect on their own emerging practice.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Identify and discuss key historical issues and debates that have informed the understanding of the visual arts within modernity and postmodernity;
Teaching and learning will be supported by a series of lectures, student-led discussions, screenings and group and self-guided exhibition visits that introduce students to historical and contemporary case studies. A diverse programme of primary historical and theoretical texts, secondary sources and contemporary critical writing will provide the foundation for student-led research on themes related to the module content and focused on students' discipline-specific interests. In addition to delivered content, students will be asked to start and keep an ongoing Research Journal for lecture notes, reading, research and writing. The module will make use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas for communication and dissemination of information between students and staff as well as making online learning materials available to all.
All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on business and management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | image-based lectures, discussions, screenings and study visits | 44 |
| Guided independent study | 256 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Assessment for this module consists of 2 summative assessment points. A short piece of writing (1000 words, 20%) will be produced in the first teaching block. Though assessed summatively, this has a diagnostic function and provides 'feed-forward' for the development of the final written assignment at the end of the module (2000 words, 80%).
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Identify and discuss key historical issues and debates that have informed the understanding of art within modernity and postmodernity; | 1000 word written text (summative) Essay (summative) |
| 2) Analyse the various contexts and institutions in which art is produced and consumed; | Essay |
| 3) Describe some of the theoretical concepts through which the categories of art and the artist have been constructed; | 1000 word written text (summative); Essay (summative) |
| 4) Propose and develop self-initiated research that responds to the module themes and explores an area specific to students' own discipline; | 1000 word written text summative); Essay (summative) |
| 5) Describe and analyse visual examples. | Essay (summative) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 word written text; | Coursework | 20% |
| 2000 word essay | Coursework | 80% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Bordwell, D and Thompson, K. (2010) Film Art: An Introduction. New York: MacGraw Hill.
Foster H, Krauss R, Bois Y-A, Buchloh B. (2004) Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism London: Thames and Hudson.
Hamlyn, N. (2003) Film Art Phenomena London: British Film Institute.
Hill, J. and Church Gibson, P (eds.) (2000), Film Studies: Critical Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Liz Wells (ed.)(2009), Photography: A Critical Introduction London: Routledge.
Bate, D. (2009) Photography: The Key Concept. London: Berg.
Campany, D (ed.) (2012), Photography and Art. London: Phaidon.
Clarke, G. (1997)The Photograph: A Visual and Cultural History. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cotton, C. (2004) The Photograph as Contemporary Art. London: Thames & Hudson.
Doherty, C. (ed.) (2004), Contemporary Art: From Studio to Situation London: Black Dog.
Harrison, C. and Wood, P (eds.) (2002), Art in Theory 1900-2000 Oxford: Blackwell.
Holm, D.K. (2007) Independent Cinema Harpenden: Kamera Books.
Leung, S & Kocur, Z (eds) (2004), Theory in Contemporary Art: From 1985 to the Present Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Meskimmon, M, (2003)Women Making Art;History, Subjectivity, Aesthetics London: Routledge.
Modrak, R and Anthes, B, (2010)Reframing Photography: Theory and Practice London: Routledge.
Perry, G (ed.) (2004) Themes in Contemporary Art New Haven: Yale University Press.
Phelan, P. & Reckitt, H. (2012) Art and Feminism London: Phaidon
Adams Sitney, P. (2002) Visionary Film Oxford: Oxford University Press
Smith, T. (2009) What is Contemporary Art? Chicago: Chicago University Press.
Traub, C. & Heller, S. (eds), (2006) The Education of A Photographer.New York: Allworth Press.
Tzioumakis, Y. (2008) American Independent Cinema Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Vogel, A and McDonald, S. (2005) Film as a Subversive Art New York: CT Editions.
Wells, Liz (ed.) (2003) The Photography Reader, London: Routledge
Wood, P. (ed.) (2004) Varieties of Modernism New Haven: Yale University Press.