Film Studies

Course details

The MA in Film Studies is an interdepartmental, one-year taught course that offers advanced-level critical skills in the discipline of film studies. It is designed to equip you with an extensive, in-depth knowledge of the history, theory and aesthetics of international film. Through a combination of both core and optional modules, the MA covers a broad selection of international film genres, offering you a well-rounded understanding of the subject. Fundamental ideas that have informed the history of cinema and film theory are explored and multiple approaches to analysing films and their artistic, social, cultural and industrial contexts are studied.

Course Details

The MA in Film Studies includes two core taught modules, one on Film History and Theory and one on Research Methodologies.

The module on Film History and Theory covers a selection of international film forms and genres, as well as methods of film analysis and questions of film theory. The Research Methodologies module introduces you to both general and subject-specific research tools, as well as providing you with multimedia presentation skills.

You also take two option modules from a selection of courses in topics as perse as Irish Cinema, Music and Film, Latin American Cinema, Digital Video, Film and Philosophy and Adaptations. You write a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice, under the supervision of one of the lecturers affiliated to the course.

Detailed Entry Requirements

• honours primary degree of at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 in the humanities
• have evidence of successful performance in undergraduate modules taken in film studies and/or practical/professional expertise or qualification in the area.

Applications from students with a 2.2 degree in a suitable subject may also be considered. You may be requested to submit a proposal and/or attend an interview. All candidates must satisfy a selection committee who may request you to provide letters of reference.

Course Practicalities

This course adopts a range of teaching methods and techniques, including traditional lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials and film screenings. Lecturers make use of teaching supports such as PowerPoint presentations and the Blackboard learning management system. You are required to attend all classes and to prepare for seminar discussion by reading assigned materials and by viewing prescribed films. You attend taught modules throughout the two teaching terms (September to March), then focus entirely on your dissertation during the summer months. Past graduates of the UCC MA in Film Studies have gone on to careers in film and the creative industry, journalism, event organisation, teaching or have continued to study film at PhD level.

Assessment

The course encompasses forms of assessment including the writing of both short assignments and long essays, oral presentations with multimedia support, and the writing of a dissertation. By being exposed to perse forms of assessment, you acquire a broad set of discipline-specific as well as transferable skills that prepare you for different professions or for further study at postgraduate level in film or related areas.