Module Information

Module Identifier
FM30020
Module Title
Contemporary Film and the Break-Up of Britain
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Journal  2000 Words  50%
Semester Assessment Essay  2000 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Journal  2000 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Essay  2000 Words  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

​1. Utilise theories and concepts regarding nation and identity when discussing contemporary film.

2. Analyse critically instances of national and cultural identity in films.

3. Acquire an understanding of the relationship between the taught films and the changing cultural and political climate from 1997 to the present day.

4. Develop the ability to research and present an argument which is fully supported by a range of sources.

Brief description

Taking the Welsh and Scottish referenda of 1997 as a starting point, this module will explore the concepts of ‘British’, ‘English’, ‘Welsh’ and ‘Scottish’ identity and their representations in contemporary film from devolution to the present day. Emphasis will be put on how contemporary film-making creates, maintains and sustains ideas about identity and belonging, as a means of exploring national, cultural and political identity during a transformative period in the history of the nations of Britain. Utilising a range of mainstream and art house films, as well as films which received a limited cinematic release (if, indeed, at all), this module aims to go beyond traditional ideas of ‘British National Cinema’ and seeks to explore the fractured and complex nature of identity as represented in a range of contemporary films.

Content

Introduction: ‘British National Cinema’ and the Instability of the National
Britpop and the ‘Beckhamisation’ of English identity
Cool Cymru, Devolution and ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Wales
Space, Place and Masculinity
Transnational Wales
(Post) Colonial Scotland
Beyond Tartanry and Kailyardism: New Scottish Cinema
European Scotland
Britain, Today?
Brexit, Covid 19 and Beyond

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Assessment is through two assignments and their written communication skills will be developed as will their skills creating and sustaining an argument. Students are also expected to contribute to seminar discussions and will be encouraged to ask and respond to questions during lectures.
Improving own Learning and Performance This skill is not formally assessed, but students will have the opportunity to discuss their learning processes with their peers and their lecturer. Detailed feedback will be given on assessments alongside suggestions on how to improve.
Information Technology Students will hone their research skills when analyzing sources and will develop referencing skills for a range of traditional and online resources. For seminar preparation they will be expected to gain access to online resources. Using Blackboard and being able to navigate it successfully will be crucial.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will be encouraged to be self-motivating and partly responsible for their learning experience. They will be expected to prepare work independently for discussion in seminars, by accessing, reading and critically evaluating a range of sources.
Problem solving Students will work with theoretical problems. They will encounter drastically differing viewpoints and will be encouraged to engage with them critically.
Research skills Students are expected to engage in academic reading and to research, reflect on, and analyse a wide range of sources (books, journal articles) for seminars and assessments.
Subject Specific Skills Critical analysis of national and cultural identity in relation to films.
Team work Students will work in small groups during seminars and will gain knowledge of the dynamic of group discussion.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6