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FS10070

Academic Year 2026/2027

Doing Film History (FS10070)

Subject:
Film Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Martha Shearer
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 key moments in film history up to 1980. It covers major film movements (including German expressionism, Italian neorealism, the French new wave, and Third Cinema) and national cinemas including Hollywood cinema as well as cinemas from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In addition to surveying landmarks in global film history, it also introduces methodologies of film history—how we, as researchers and as film studies students, do film history—covering a range of different approaches such as histories of film style, film technology, film culture, and film industries, and reflecting on how film history has been constructed, what’s been excluded or privileged and why, as well as situating film in relation to major historical events of the twentieth century. Finally, it emphasises research and scholarship skills that will be useful throughout your study of film.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding of key moments in film history
• Knowledge and understanding of different approaches to film history
• Ability to critically assess film history secondary literature
• Ability to employ research skills, including the identification of appropriate print and electronic sources
• Ability to organise and clearly communicate a coherent film historical argument in writing


Indicative Module Content:

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Tutorial

12

Studio

24

Specified Learning Activities

20

Autonomous Student Learning

32

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, screenings, and tutorials.

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): 800-word primary source exercise Week 6 Graded No
40
No
Exam (In-person): Final exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
50
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in tutorials Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
10
No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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?

Written/annotated feedback through Brightspace for written assignments and oral feedback in meetings.

Name Role
Ms Ciara Dempsey Tutor

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, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Film Screening Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 16:00 - 18:50
Spring Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Workshop Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Workshop Offering 4 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Workshop Offering 5 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Workshop Offering 6 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Workshop Offering 6 Week(s) - 26 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50