International Cinema

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This fascinating course provides an overview of cinema in a global perspective, with the opportunity to examine diverse examples in detail. Born at the beginning of the 20th century, cinema soon spread to all parts of the globe. It became a means of expression for cultures the world over, but also an industry dominated by a handful of companies, mainly America-based.

This course looks at all aspects of the cinema phenomenon, including aesthetics and economics, the work of film-makers around the world, the global media industries and the interrelations between these aspects. Also, as part of our media arts postgraduate provision, it provides a thorough grounding in the study of the media as a whole, enabling students to get a clearer picture of the place of cinema in the wider context of global media.

Half of the course consists of self-directed independent study with individual supervision, allowing students to pursue their own particular area of interest (subject to suitable supervisory availability).

Professor Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, a former Professor at the University who devised the course, gave it a global perspective. He comments that The cinema conquered the world in a very short time and its parts have always remained interconnected, with Hollywood in a dominant position. Most film studies courses, even at MA level, only look at the parts this one looks at the whole. As such, it puts students in a position to really understand the context in which film and other media operate.

Why choose this course?
This course is ideal for students seeking a job in cinema-related fields or in areas such as programming, marketing or administration. It provides an understanding of film in relation to the global cultural industries, and is also a valuable academic qualification for people teaching film studies at all levels.

During the course you will:
* Experience the first MA course to focus on the relationship between cinema as art and industry in a global context
* Experience a course developed by leading international cinema expert, Professor Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, editor of the Oxford History of World Cinema
* Have access to our multi-million pound Media Arts Centre, which includes ten digital video suites
* Work with experts in film analysis, and benefit from regular seminars, screenings and guest speakers

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:
* Cultural theories
* European cinema
* Film analysis
* Representation and reality
* Post-colonial and 'third' cinema
* World cinema and global media

Assessment
The core units contain both formative and summative assessments, and it is during these units that students should learn the range of competences and knowledges necessary to succeed on the courses. For their project work students can undertake a traditional dissertation, a piece of practical work, a portfolio of diverse practical work, or some combination of these. The courses utilize essays, special exercises, case studies, projects, dissertations and practical work for assessment as appropriate to the topic.

Educational Aims
The underlying rationale behind the degree is that the cinema has to be understood in terms of its global connections- both the horizontal links connecting cinema institutions in different parts of the globe and the vertical links connecting cinema with other art forms, institutions and practices. A sense of how these connections operate is essential to understanding the different elements of the cinema industry.

The pedagogic strategy employed on the course is based on a principle of interrogating the connections. Teaching will be mainly seminar based, with students taking responsibility for exploring different aspects of the curriculum and presenting their findings.

The course is designed to introduce material and approaches which will be new to students whatever their disciplinary background at undergraduate level. It thus fulfils the basic criterion for an MA programme. Although it is based on film studies models, recent development in the field have extended the range of issues which are pertinent to a study of international cinema.

Student support
The Media MA courses are managed by the Field Chair, with administrative support. Each unit has a unit tutor. Students can get general academic advice from the Field Chair and unit specific support from the relevant unit tutor. For the two projects which together constitute 50% of the course, students have their own individual tutor who they will see regularly. Students with specific study or general problems will be referred to Student Services.

Team working
You will develop your abilities to work with others on group tasks and projects, becoming more adept at listening to others, expressing your own views and helping a group to devise plans and strategies.

A lower second class first degree or a postgraduate qualification such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Media Studies or the equivalent.Special Entry RequirementsAll applicants must have the ability to study and complete all assessments with a suitably high standard of English, which in the case of overseas students will be assessed in accordance with University policy. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C)