British Cinema

About

This module provides a historical survey of British cinema as well as an introduction to critical and theoretical debates associated with national cinema. You’ll examine the relationship between British cinema and British culture, history and national identity. You’ll also consider how British cinema has represented other dimensions of identity such as class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality. You’ll analyse a range of films in order to explore how British cinema:

- responded to the Second World War and the decline of the British Empire
- has been discussed in relation to notions of “realism” and “heritage”
- has engaged with transformations of society associated with multiculturalism
- functions in a transnational or even post-national era

You’ll also consider how specific genres such as the crime film and the period drama have functioned in the national and international marketplace.

Target group

This module is suitable for students who have an interest in humanities, film and cultural Studies. A background in these subjects is not required.

Course aim

1. Develop an awareness of the problems involved in constituting a 'history' of a British national cinema

2. Develop a critical understanding of British cinema's production of representations of Britishness and Englishness, its constitution of 'otherness', and its representations of gender, race, class and community

3. Develop an understanding of the changing political and cultural context in which such representations have been produced

4. Develop an ability to critically analyse specific film texts in light of these understandings.

Fee info

The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2985. Early applications will receive a 20% reduction on tuition fees, making the overall cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session £2640. If you wish to study for both sessions, we welcome you to do so. Fees are made up of Tuition fees of £1725 per session including all teaching and assessment for one module of study. A minimum of 40 class/teaching contact hours and 150 study hours. Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits. You will receive a transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements). The accommodation and social programme fee of £1260 per session includes your own bedroom in on-campus student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities. You will receive a bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow, and pillowcase, as well as a kitchen pack containing everything you need for self-catering. The fee includes a programme of campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will also be provided on Fridays.