Module UXS-3064:
Cultural Dispatches

Overview

In this module students will learn about the history of film, media, and cultural criticism, while developing their own portfolio of cultural criticism.

Students will produce criticism for general, niche, and academic audiences in the form of writing, audio, short and long form video, including reels compatible with TikTok and Instagram.

Examination of the criticism of some of the following: Ida B. Wells, Freddi Washington, Pauline Kael, Andrew Sarris, James Agee, Andre Bazin, Manny Farber, James Baldwin, Andrew Britton, Robin Wood, V.F. Perkins, Paul Schrader, Francois Truffaut, Sergei Eisenstein, Jean-Luc Godard, Philip French, David Thomson, Richard Corliss, Jonathan Rosenbaum, J Hoberman, AO Scott, Manohla Dargis, Susan Sontag, Girish Shambu, Robert Warshow, bell hooks, Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Examination of the criticism of some of the following: Ida B. Wells, Freddi Washington, Pauline Kael, Andrew Sarris, James Agee, Andre Bazin, Manny Farber, James Baldwin, Andrew Britton, Robin Wood, V.F. Perkins, Paul Schrader, Francois Truffaut, Sergei Eisenstein, Jean-Luc Godard, Philip French, David Thomson, Richard Corliss, Jonathan Rosenbaum, J Hoberman, AO Scott, Manohla Dargis, Susan Sontag, Girish Shambu, Robert Warshow, bell hooks, Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Screenings of some of the following: new releases, How to Build a Girl (2019), Blinded by the Light (2019), Almost Famous (2000)

Attendance to local exhibitions, screenings, performances.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold (D- to D+)Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:-Generally accurate but with omissions and errors-Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning-Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions-Draws on a relatively narrow range of material -good -Very Good (B- to B+)Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:-Very good structure and logically developed arguments-Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student-Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning-Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style -excellent -Excellent (A- to A*)Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways:-Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent-Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study-Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions -another level-Good (C- to C+)Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:-Good structure and logically developed arguments-At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student-Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and reasoning-Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style

Learning Outcomes

• You will be able to adapt your presentational style to specific requirements and for particular audiences, be it in writing, oral, or audio-visual.

• You will be able to appraise the differences in tone, register and intention of film, media, and cultural criticism written for different audiences.

• You will be able to conduct close textual analysis, interrogate and evaluate film, media, and cultural texts in relation to specific critical approaches and perspectives.

• You will be able to evaluate the history and development of film, media, and cultural criticism.