Film and Screen Studies, BA (Hons)

This course immerses students in the study of film and its industries, emphasizing theory, criticism, and the connections between film, media, and culture. It combines theoretical scholarship with practical elements, enabling exploration of personal interests while fostering a critical understanding of how cinematic, televisual, and electronic images mediate society. Students will gain tools to analyze film institutions, including production, distribution, exhibition, and consumption practices.In Year 1, participants investigate film as an academic discipline and explore key theoretical and methodological issues, viewing it as a commercial, cultural, and aesthetic entity. Years 2 and 3 allow customization through modules like Film Theory, Hollywood Cinema, Video Games, and Film and National Identity, with opportunities to engage in events such as the annual Student Film Festival. Assessment involves essays, research reports, journals, group presentations, and portfolios.

In Year 1 you will investigate film as a specific academic discipline before offering an advanced investigation of key theoretical and methodological issues involved in the study of cinema, exploring film as a commercial, cultural and aesthetic institution. In Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to design your programme from a range of rigorous and engaging modules, these may include Film Theory; Hollywood Cinema; Video Games; Film and National Identity; Stardom and Celebrity. Previous students have had the opportunity to take part in organising the annual Student Film Festival at Bath Spa University.