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FS40360

Academic Year 2025/2026

Paranoid and Conspiracy Media (FS40360)

Subject:
Film Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
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.

Mass media has throughout its history produced paranoid texts and attracted and circulated conspiracy theories. Focusing on the US context, especially after WWII, this module examines the role of paranoia and conspiracy across a variety of forms of media, from cinema to television to digital media platforms, exploring paranoid media texts, paranoid spectatorship and reading practices, conspiracy cultures and the circulation of conspiracy theories via media. The module explores the history and theory of paranoid and conspiracy media, situated at the intersection of power, knowledge, and the media: how we understand power (both in general, and more specifically that of the media industries), how media texts circulate, and how we interpret them. We will examine key moments in American conspiracy culture and key examples of paranoid media forms alongside reading a range of film, media, and critical theory that has explored questions of conspiracy, paranoia, and interpretation.

Please note that this module will necessarily address some controversial and offensive material.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

• an understanding of the history of the relationship between media and conspiracy
• ability to critically analyse and engage with a range of paranoid media texts
• knowledge of and an ability to assess and engage with key theoretical ideas relevant to paranoid and conspiracy media
• develop advanced research and writing skills through the production of an extended research essay

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Seminar (or Webinar)

20
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Seminar discussion, group work, student presentations

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
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in seminar discussion 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
Assignment(Including Essay): Final essay proposal presentation Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Reading annotation Week 7 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 5000-word final essay Week 14 Graded No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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?

Not yet recorded.

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, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
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