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FS10020

Academic Year 2026/2027

Introduction to Film and Media Theory (FS10020)

Subject:
Film Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Jorie Lagerwey
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to key theoretical debates about film and television. The module argues that theory is only interesting if it is useful and only useful when it helps us gain a deeper or more complicated understanding of the world we live in. For that reason, the module uses popular culture (as opposed to art, prestige, or avant-garde) case studies to practice applying those theoretical debates to specific texts. A broad ranging overview, this module acquaints students with a variety of approaches scholars and critics use to interrogate popular media, this module introduces students to critiques of mass culture, studies of ideology and representation, questions of authorship and fandom, queer studies, and industry and celebrity studies.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Learning outcomes:
At the end of this module, students will be able to
-Explain key theoretical ideas and debates about film and television
-Explain how film and television are continuously influenced by cultural context and changes in the entertainment industry
-Apply theoretical arguments studied on the module to film and television
-Identify, discuss, and evaluate the argument of a scholarly article
-Students will continue to develop the close textual analysis skills and knowledge of film and audio-visual form established in FS10010

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

52
Lectures

12
Tutorial

12
Studio

24
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a lecture based module with accompanying tutorials and film screenings. Tutorials may involve discussion, group work, or other in-class activities.

AI Not Permitted: The use of AI tools is not permitted in this module. Students are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use of AI tools.

A proportion of written assignments in each module in the School of English, Drama and Film are subject to moderation, meaning they undergo a second layer of review by another grader. This is to promote consistency within and between modules in the same
level and discipline.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Very short written assignment Week 4 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Very short written assignment Week 7 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): Written final exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

You will receive feedback and grades on all continuous assessment.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Workshop Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Workshop Offering 4 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Workshop Offering 5 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Workshop Offering 6 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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