The Film Theory & Practice honours programme is practice-orientated with a strong focus on documentary. Instead of doing a written honours thesis, students work in small groups of 3-5 to produce a documentary film over the academic year. A documentary theory course in 1st semester is required plus 3 additional electives to complete this degree. All students must put forward concept pitches and then the class chooses the projects for production. The programme demands full participation and commitment as well as the ability to work well in production groups for the entire academic year.

Convenor

Dr. Julia Cain


Admission requirements

(a) Faculty requirements are set out under rules FH3.

(b) Programme requirements:

  • Completion of a BA with a major in Film and Television studies BA in Film and Media Production or a first degree with majors in appropriate cognate subjects.
  • Students transferring from other universities who do not have some background in film and media may apply to the programme convenor. The programme committee will consider such applications on an individual basis for their suitability to the programme. Students may be required to do an intensive short production course as a condition of entry.
  • Normally candidates will be expected to have an average of an upper second or better result for their first degree.

Acceptance is on the recommendation of the Convenor.


Prescribed curriculum:

The programme comprises four taught courses (96 NQF credits) and a research project (30 credits), all at HEQSF level 8 (4000-level).

(i) Required core courses:

Compulsory (Core) coursesNQF creditsHEQSF level
FAM4000WVideo Project / Documentary Filmmaking308
FAM4039FDocumentary Film: Forms and Theories248

Elective courses:

The remaining courses may be selected from the list below or from courses offered by a cognate department, subject to the approval of the programme convenor.

Recommended Courses Include:NQF creditsHEQSF level
FAM4004SRace and Gender in Popular Culture248
FAM4007FNarrative Journalism248
FAM4036SFilm and Environment248
FAM4038F Authorship in Cinema248
FAM4040FWriting for Film248
FAM4034STheories and Forms of Adaptation248
FAM4011FMedia Internship248
FAM4042FMedia, Development and the Environment248
FAM4044FSWorking in Film and Media Archives248