Module Name

Film History and Criticism

Module Code
FLM020C119A

Assessment Brief
Information about the work you are required to hand in for this module.

Essay (1750 words)

Choose one of the following essay questions:

1. In Film History, the 1920s are seen as being highly inventive in terms of
aesthetic and narrative techniques. Explain what kind of aesthetic and
narrative features, such as editing, cinematography, set design and acting,
EITHER Soviet Montage OR German Expressionism explored and developed
to have an impact on the audience. You will need to critically discuss a film
studied in class and another one of your choice.

2. Analyse the relationship between genre cinema and classical Hollywood. Close
reference to two films is required, one of which must have been studied in class.

3. How did EITHER the French New Wave OR New Hollywood break with the
classical Hollywood tradition? Close reference to two films is required, one of
which must have been studied in class.

4. The desire to capture or convey ‘reality’ has underpinned a number of strands

of filmmaking throughout film history. Critically discuss the different methods,
strategies and/or technologies utilized by filmmakers to capture or convey
‘reality’ in relation to two of the film movements or national cinemas studied on
the module.

5. What are the key characteristics of the Japanese Studio System? Illustrate your
arguments with a case study of one of the films discussed in class.

6. Discuss how women filmmakers address issues of female representations and

female identities in their films. Close reference to two films is required, one of
which must have been studied in class.

7. To what extent have digital technologies changed cinema on an aesthetic

and/or narrative level? Discuss in relation to Gravity (2013) and one other
film. Consideration of the differences and similarities between digital and non-
digital cinema is required.

In your essay, you should refer closely to the readings available on Moodle – both

1
the essential reading on that topic and the further suggested readings that is
outlined in the module’s reading list.

Written work must fully reference sources according to the formats established in the
Harvard Referencing Guide:
https://portal.roehampton.ac.uk/information/library/Pages/referencing-and-
refworks.aspx

Hand-in Date Date of return of assessment

You must submit your work electronically on your You will receive a mark and feedback for your
module’s Moodle page no later than: assessment no later than:

2pm, Thursday 19 December 2019 2pm, 19 January 2019

Note: this date is fixed and not subject to change. Note: this date is subject to change. See ‘Post Date’
See information below regarding late submissions. in Turnitin submissions for up-to-date information.

Weighting Assessment Order

This assignment represents 70 % of your overall For this module, this is assignment 2 of 2.
module mark.

Module Learning Outcomes to be met through this Brief:

[

 a broad knowledge of the technological, aesthetic and institutional development of

film from its origins to the present.

 a knowledge of selected critical ideas and debates about cinema

 the ability to use methods of analysis and enquiry appropriate to the historical study
of film and film criticism.

 the ability to communicate ideas and perspectives on course materials

 sufficient level of study and independent research skills and the ability to
comprehend set reading.

2
Further information

Note: The university uses categorical marking. For more information, view the document ‘Categorical
Marking’ on your Moodle page.

Assessment
Criteria

Writing Scholarship Sources and Independent

Citation Thought

1st (70%)

Excellent style and Evidence of Outstanding use Evidence of

structure. Good superlative of primary and thoughtfulness and
grammar and understanding secondary conceptualisation
spelling. and ability to sources, with beyond the remit of
communicate academic the brief,
complex ideas. conventions suggesting a
followed. broader conception
of the subject
matter.

2:1 (60-69%)

Solid Evidence of clear Solid use of Evidence of some

comprehension understanding primary and independent
and writing style, and ability to secondary thought, well
with good communicate sources, with articulated, that
grammar and complex ideas. academic adds to established
spelling. conventions discourse.
followed.

2:2 (50-59%)

Acceptable writing Acceptable Ability to Some interesting

style, with a clear engagement with organise ideas and (limited)
attempt at clarity reading and research evidence of critical
of thought. ability to express materials but a thinking.
ideas from the need for
reading. development of
presentation.

3rd (40-49%)

Patchy structure Little Scant evidence Little evidence of

and inappropriate engagement with of research and independent
style. Spelling and module materials little adherence thought.
grammatical and limited to referencing
errors. attainment of protocols. .
learning
outcomes. 

Fail/Condonable
Fail (30-39%)

Confused Little research, Little No evidence of

3
structure and belying engagement with independent
inappropriate dependence on module materials thought.
style. Spelling and lectures and and bare
grammatical seminar work attainment of
errors. and plot learning
description over outcomes. 
textual analysis.

Serious Fail/Non-
Condonable (-
29%)

No structure and No research and No engagement No evidence of

inappropriate dependence on with the module independent
style. Spelling and statement and and complete thought.
grammatical opinion. failure to attain
errors. learning
outcomes.

Struggling to hand your work in on time?

If you have reason to believe you will be unable to hand in your work on time, you will need to
request that mitigating circumstances be taken into account via the Department Office and by filling
in a Mitigating Circumstances Form.

For the Mitigating Circumstances policy, visit:

http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/corporate-information/Policies/

Remember:

- You need to fill in a Mitigating Circumstances form for every item of assessment, not
merely one per module or course.
- You will need to provide documentation supporting your request.
- This should be done at least 2 weeks prior to the hand-in deadline.

The Mitigating Circumstances form can be downloaded by visiting the Student Portal and selecting
‘Mitigating Circumstances Portal’. Ask your tutor or AGT if you need help.

Date of this Brief Module Convenor

20 September 2019 Dr. Muriel Tinel-Temple