Module Information
Module Identifier
FM31320
Module Title
Cinema and Stardom
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Successful Completion of Part 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Viewing | 10 x 3 Hour Viewings |
| Lecture | 10 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Seminar | 10 x 1 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay (2000 words) | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Research Project (equivalent to 3000 words) | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay (2000 words). Failed components of assessment must be re-submitted or repeated as applicable | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Research Project (equivalent to 3000 words) | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts in and theoretical approaches to cinema and stardom.
2. Critically evaluate the historical circumstances within Hollywood cinema that gave rise to concepts of stardom.
3. Analyse the roles played by audiences, actors, employers and different media forms in the construction of stardom.
4. Analyse the way in which case studies of specific stars illustrate stardom.
5. Relate this analysis to wider concerns within mainstream filmmaking and media performance, with particular focus upon Hollywood cinema, but with reference to other examples within the cinema, television and alternative media forms.
Aims
The module 'Cinema and Stardom' is designed to supplement the provision of film studies modules in Year Three in a subject of increasing critical importance which is currently absent from departmental teaching. The module is also designed to complement historical and critical elements of existing film modules in the alternative context of stardom. It is designed to fit within the Third Year framework of critical practice modules (30 credits) and it involves increased levels of independent research on the part of the student.
Brief description
This module is designed to investigate the subject of film stardom through an examination of a number of contexts.
A) Cultural contexts: understanding the processes by which stardom and star images are constructed within popular and public cultures.
B) National: having an awareness of the different ways stars are consumed within different national and transnational contexts (both away from, and in relation to, Hollywood filmmaking).
C) Theoretical: exploring how stardom has been traditionally theorised within film studies and cultural studies.
D) Historical and industrial: investigating the changing role of the star within the Hollywood industry from the early 1900s to the present day, and the star as a 'worker' as well as an 'image'.
E) The multi-platform nature of stardom, whereby the construction and maintenance of stardom is achieved via enterprises across a variety of media forms including cinema, television, the internet and print media.
As such, this module will offer a critical insight into the history of stardom within mainstream media, with particular emphasis upon the cinema. It will examine major theoretical discourses pertaining to stars, stardom and celebrity culture. Students will be encouraged to consider the correlation between individual stars and the range of contexts which define performers as stars via a series of case studies linking major stars with a variety of historical and critical approaches. The way in which stardom is constructed by producers and consumers through film texts, marketing discourses, intermedial work, national and transnational cinemas, audiences and specific historical circumstances will be analysed.
A) Cultural contexts: understanding the processes by which stardom and star images are constructed within popular and public cultures.
B) National: having an awareness of the different ways stars are consumed within different national and transnational contexts (both away from, and in relation to, Hollywood filmmaking).
C) Theoretical: exploring how stardom has been traditionally theorised within film studies and cultural studies.
D) Historical and industrial: investigating the changing role of the star within the Hollywood industry from the early 1900s to the present day, and the star as a 'worker' as well as an 'image'.
E) The multi-platform nature of stardom, whereby the construction and maintenance of stardom is achieved via enterprises across a variety of media forms including cinema, television, the internet and print media.
As such, this module will offer a critical insight into the history of stardom within mainstream media, with particular emphasis upon the cinema. It will examine major theoretical discourses pertaining to stars, stardom and celebrity culture. Students will be encouraged to consider the correlation between individual stars and the range of contexts which define performers as stars via a series of case studies linking major stars with a variety of historical and critical approaches. The way in which stardom is constructed by producers and consumers through film texts, marketing discourses, intermedial work, national and transnational cinemas, audiences and specific historical circumstances will be analysed.
Content
Course delivery:
Lecture: 10 x 1 hour Lectures
Other: 10 x 3 hour Viewings
Seminars / Tutorials: 10 x 1 hour Seminars
Lectures and associated seminars and viewings will cover the following topics:
1. The history of the Hollywood star system.
2. Star theory: star image and the classical star performer.
3. Stardom and genre.
4. Stardom and reception.
5. Marketing actors: constructing stardom and star personas.
6. Contemporary film stardom.
7. Cult stardom.
8. Television stardom.
9. Transnational stardom.
10. Stardom, media personaliaties and celebrity culture.
Lecture: 10 x 1 hour Lectures
Other: 10 x 3 hour Viewings
Seminars / Tutorials: 10 x 1 hour Seminars
Lectures and associated seminars and viewings will cover the following topics:
1. The history of the Hollywood star system.
2. Star theory: star image and the classical star performer.
3. Stardom and genre.
4. Stardom and reception.
5. Marketing actors: constructing stardom and star personas.
6. Contemporary film stardom.
7. Cult stardom.
8. Television stardom.
9. Transnational stardom.
10. Stardom, media personaliaties and celebrity culture.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Students' written communication skills will be developed over the two pieces of assessed work that they produce. They will be encouraged to produce detailed arguments about the subject using appropriate language and style. Students will develop their oral communication skills through seminar sessions which will use both individual contributions and group contributions. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will develop their critical thinking skills. Through small group discussions and seminars students will be given opportunities to develop an awareness of the opinions of others and reconsider initial ideas if necessary. |
| Information Technology | Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using electronic search and retrieval of sources both on the web and on the AU LIS in the research they undertake for their assessed assignments. Students will be given the opportunities to evaluate the contents and academic value of web-based research material in seminar work and in their assessed work. Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, and will focus on the selection of materials appropriate to the task (seminar work and assessed work). E-mail and Blackboard will be the main forms of communication and information sharing in this module, so students will be encouraged to actively engage in these processes. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for managing their own learning by preparing work independently for seminar sessions. Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resources distributed throughout the module) |
| Problem solving | Students should be able to identify tensions and debates in the field. They will be encouraged to engage with existing critical thought and theory to evaluate the most appropriate material to use in their assessed work. |
| Research skills | Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval to enable them to complete their assessed assignments. Students will be given the opportunity to develop the research skills necessary for their second assignment within seminar provision. Students will be encouraged to evaluate, interpret and reflect upon a variety of sources that they will use in their assessed work and in seminars. Students will be given the opportunity to develop their research skills in relation to both primary and secondary soruce material in their assessed assignments. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Sessions will be provided that enable students to collaborate in small groups. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6