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Course Objectives

The course is intended to provide students with an intensive and rigorous grounding in film and television studies from a contemporary cultural perspective and in terms of the institutional policies and practices which bear on audiovisual production, distribution and exhibition.

It is designed to cater for postgraduate research at a time when a number of important initiatives are taking place in the audiovisual industries both in Ireland and at a European level.

The course situates film and related aspects of television in the wider context of developments in the audiovisual and communications industries in a cable and satellite age. It will facilitate in-depth study of Irish cinema and television from historical, cultural, social and economic perspectives with a view to evaluating images of Ireland on the screen and determining the specific needs and projected demands of the Irish film and television industries. The course will analyse audiovisual policy in Europe and its impact on Ireland and will make cross-cultural comparisons of ‘national cinema’ in Europe, Australia and developing countries with dominant Hollywood models.

On completion of the course the student will have acquired an ability:

to initiate independent research and to develop critical and analytical skills which will be of particular relevance to those who may seek employment in the audiovisual sector;
to assess developments in both policy and practice in Irish film and television in the light of international trends, particularly those in an increasingly integrated Europe;
to situate film in its distinctively Irish context, that is, its characteristic representation and narrative forms, its relationship to Irish culture and other cultural activities (literature, theatre, the visual arts, etc.) and its role in the Irish economy;
to understand the key creative and organisational perspectives needed in initiating a production, particularly in the areas of financing, budgeting and project management.

Course Structure

Semester 1 Oct 30 - December 20 2002
Four Courses - All Core

Course	Lecturer	Credits
Ireland & National Cinema	Pat Brereton	5
Film Theory and History	Pat Brereton	5
Political Economy/Media	Roddy Flynn	5
TV Drama & Social History	Helena Sheehan	5
TV Structure & Policy	Colum Kenny	5

Semester 2 Feb 3 - April 25 2003
Six Courses - Three Core, 2 Optional (Five in total)

Course	Lecturer	Credits
Film & TV Audiences	Mark O'Brien	5
Documentary in Film & TV	Marina Burke	5
Film & Television Finance	Roddy Flynn/Visiting Specialists	5
Choose Two of the following:
Screenwriting	Orla Burke	5
Gender in Film & TV	Stephanie McBride	5
European Cinema	Tony Coulson et al	5

General Books (i.e. ones you may considering purchasing for the course overall)

Film as Social Practice (2^nd Ed.), Graeme Turner,(Routledge).

The Cinema Book (2^nd Ed.), Pam Cook & Mieke Bernink (eds),(BFI).

Film Art (6^th Ed.), Bordwell & Thompson,(McGraw Hill).

Film History: An Introduction, Bordwell & Thompson,(McGraw Hill).

How to Read a Film (3^rd Ed.), James Monaco, (Oxford).

A History of Narrative Film (3^rd Ed.), David A. Cook,(Norton).

Visible Fictions (2^nd Ed.) John Ellis, (Routledge).

Power Without Responsibility (5^th Ed.), James Curran and Jean Seaton, (Routledge).

Class Reps

Need to appoint Class Rep

Class Rep – forum through which general problems are handled. Class Reps also sit on Programme Board Meetings, dates of which will be advised.

Any personal difficulties should be addressed directly by the individuals concerned.

No personal tutor system for postgrads – but feel free to treat me as such.

Staff/Student Communications

Programme Chair (Roddy Flynn) available in Room C128 (ext. 8355).

Notice Board on Wall outside C124 in Grattan Building

Direct Email to Students

Facilities

IFC Library Cards

Extra Screenings – C124 Wednesdays 2 – 5 pm. (Note also existence of film society, although it’s purpose now somewhat obviated by VCRs.)

Media Production Society/DCU FM

Sports – Sports Centre Membership free

Health and Welfare

Computer Services – all students have access to word processing, spreadsheets, www and email.

Website - www.comms.dcu.ie/flynnr

Library

Books – Up to six. 24 hour loan.

CD-ROM – Social Citation Abstracts/Encyclopedia of Film

Internet

Periodicals

Video Collection and Viewing facilities.