MCH1010 : Academic Skills for Film Practice
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Mr Simon Rushton
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Alastair Cole, Dr Geetha Jayaraman
- Lecturer: Dr Ian McDonald
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module introduces Film Practices and Film and Media students to research methods and academic skills for undergraduate study at Stage 1: library searches; accessing data bases; locating and evaluating primary and secondary source materials; archive based film research; information management through the creation of bibliographies, filmographies and in-text citation; understanding academic culture; artificial intelligence and learning; academic reading and writing - close reading and critical writing, reflexive writing, clear style and avoiding academese, making an argument in writing and as a filmmaker.
It will also provide an introduction to key research methodologies for film students including practice-based research, ethnography, semiotics, archive and history, and positionality and subjectivity. Students will also be introduced to fundamental debates related to film and media practice including ethics, privacy and the role of creative practice within knowledge creation. Students will also build an understanding of film’s position within wider humanities and academia, and be prepared for the compulsory modules in the Film Practice and Film & Media programmes.
This module aims to:
1. Develop a introductory understanding of the expectations of undergraduate research practice;
2. Develop the skills required to undertake study and research within film and media;
3. Develop an understanding of the variety of research approaches with which film can be engaged in a university context.
4. Develop an understanding of the relationship between film practice, film theory and humanities research more broadly
5. Develop skills in academic writing and reading
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus will be structured to progressively introduce students to the fundamental elements of undergraduate research in film and media and the major research methodologies.
Introduction to undergraduate research practice:
Library skills, introduction to journal-based research and database searching, academic writing and referencing.
Research skills for film practice:
Introduction to practice-based research, reading and reflective analysis skills, archive-film-collection-based research, interviews, creating transcripts and exploring case studies.
Research methodologies for film and media practice:
Introduction to the role of research methods in academia. Introduction to qualitative research, semiotic analysis, archive and history, ethnography and ethics, positionality and subjectivity
Relationships, debates and limits of film in the academic world:
The capacity and role of creative practice within knowledge creation. Ethics and film practice, privacy and UK legal limits for film.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | On-campus lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Working on Assessment 2 |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Working on Assessment 1 |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 77:00 | 77:00 | Preparation for the seminars on the weekly basis |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | On-campus seminars |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures that introduce key principles and concepts and seminars that will provide an opportunity for small-group learning and key reading discussion.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 90 | 3000-word research methodologies portfolio |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 10 | Participation and engagement |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | A series of 3 quizzes in timed conditions throughout the module: 1. Managing Information: Bibliography layout and style 2. Evaluating Information: Bibliography quality of sources 3. Managing Information: Referencing, Ethics and AI |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The rationale for the formative assessment is to test knowledge and understanding of processes and procedures, demonstrate the ability to perform referencing tasks correctly, and to evaluate the quality of scholarly sources
The rationale for the summative assessment is to demonstrate the ability to put into practice the knowledge and skills developed throughout the module: to undertake a research tasks; to evaluate scholarly sources and methodologies related to film and media and film practices; to produce written academic documents following Newcastle University Harvard protocols.
The professional skills assessment (Engagement and participation at 10%) will account for students' classroom contribution and module citizenship. This is not based solely on registered attendance - seminar contribution, seminar facilitation, feedback discussions and peer-to-peer engagement will be monitored on a weekly basis.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH1010's Timetable