BA Film and American Studies

The 2012 Complete University Guide ranks UEA second in the country for Media and Communications Studies. Read More...

Film and American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree course, involving film studies, television studies, American literature, American history and cultural studies.

While there are certain fixed points during the course, and certain minimum requirements, there is also a great deal of flexibility allowing you to create your own pathways, in consultation with your personal tutor. For instance, if you have a particular interest in American cinema, literature or history, popular culture, gender studies, or questions of representation in literature and film, you may want to do more modules in these areas - and this list by no means exhausts the possibilities! Additionally, you may also choose to take modules that go beyond the study of Film Studies and American Studies, particularly in your second year of study.

School of Film, Television and Media Studies degrees make use of a wide range of learning technologies, with film screenings provided for many modules, as well as innovative assessments that use blogs, twitter, online discussions and other new forms technology, in addition to hands-on modules where students can learn to use filmmaking equipment. The School also has a close relationship with the East Anglian Film Archive, a large local archive of high quality audio-visual materials.

The School uses research-led teaching, which means we encourage you to explore your own interests wherever possible, going from set work in the first year, to guided project work on many second year modules, to more independent research projects in the final year. Many of our modules deal with British and American cinema, particularly Film Genres, Animation, Film Authorship, The Practice of Screenwriting, Crime Television, Science Fiction and Gender and Genre. From within American Studies too, there are a large number of modules is on contemporary popular culture, literature and history, complementing and expanding student learning in Film Studies. Other modules aimed at broadening student horizons are also available within and beyond the School, including a range of modules relating to world cinema and gender studies.

Outline of the degree

The course begins with six modules which provide a foundation in Film Studies and American Studies. In the first semester you take Analysing Film and Television, which introduces you to a wide range of film and television analysis techniques and study skills. You also take Containing Multitudes: American History I and a film history module called What is Film History? In semester two, you take Studies in Film History and Reading Cultures II: Ideas and Ideologies and a choice of either Containing Multitudes: American History II or Imagining America: Literature II.

In Years 2 and 4, study of the two main disciplines continues. In Film and Television Studies you take Film Theory and Research Training, the latter of which prepares you for doing independent research and dissertations in your final year. You can then also choose from a wide range of American Studies and Film Studies modules including modules on popular culture, film, music, literature, history and gender issues.

In your final year you undertake a dissertation on a film or television topic which is independently researched and written under appropriate supervision. Year 4 also allows you to undertake more specialised modules with a greater degree of research independence for assessments in topics like Native American Writing and Film, Writing and New Media in Early America, Women, Islam and Film and Professional Video Production.

Additionally, you have two Defined Choice modules at your disposal (in Year 2). You can use these to take further modules in Film or American Studies or to explore unfamiliar subjects. For example, you might turn to other, related Humanities subjects (art history, drama, philosophy, creative writing) or choose to learn a language. Defined Choice modules give you access to the widest possible selection of modules deemed relevant to your degree.

Teaching and Assessment

Academic study skills, key concepts, issues and ideas are introduced in lectures and seminars throughout your studies. In Years 2 and 3 there is a greater emphasis on seminar-based modules, which allow students to have time together with tutors to discuss new topics. Modules are chosen from a range offered within the School and across the University. You will spend time studying and researching in the library and you are also likely to spend time on production work or projects.

Assessment types vary, but it is normal for students to undertake research essays, projects, examinations and presentations across their degrees. Assessments usually take place during and at the completion of modules. In your final year, you will also write a dissertation on a topic of your choice and with the advice of tutors. There is no final examination. Your final degree result is determined by the marks you receive in years two and four.

All students joining degrees in the School of Film, Television and Media Studies would find it helpful to read Timothy Corrigan's A Short Guide to Writing about Film, (2010, 7th Edition, New York: Longman) over the summer prior to joining the University of East Anglia.

Course Organiser:Dr. Rayna Denison

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Entry Requirements Qualification: BA (Hons) A Level: AAB-ABB with at least one Humanities subject International Baccalaureate: 33 - 32 points required to include one humanities subject Scottish Highers: Must have at least one Advanced Higher Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB - ABB with at least one humanities subject Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB-AABBBB with at least one humanities subject Access Course: Please contact the university for further information HND: Please contact the university for further information European Baccalaureate: 80-75% to include one humanities subject Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.5 Writing with no less than 6.0 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 92 overall (minimum 21 in Speaking component, 21 in Writing component, 20 in Reading component and 18 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 62 Writing component with no less than 55 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Students will have the opportunity to meet with an academic individually on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.

Deferred Entry - We welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact the University directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

UEA was one of the first British universities to develop the study of cinema and television.

The Student Experience Survey ranks UEA third in the country - two places higher than last year's result and overtaking both Oxford and Cambridge... Read More >

We have 12 dedicated members of academic staff, with several more colleagues contributing on a part-time basis. More than 40 graduates of the MA and PhD programmes hold teaching posts at universities in the UK and elsewhere. In the most recent quality assessments by the High Education Funding Council, teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level was adjudged excellent (with a score of 23 out of a possible 24) and our research was placed in the top three of UK institutions.

Each year, some 60 undergraduates are registered for one of the Film and Television Studies degrees (BA Media Studies, BA Film and English Studies, BA Film and American Studies and BA Film and Television Studies). Teaching deals mainly with the history and current shape of British and American cinema and television and with film theory and criticism. We also run modules on other world cinemas and on television, video and film production. The BA degrees in Film and English Studies and Film and American Studies are interdisciplinary, with Film or Television Studies taking up between a half and two thirds of the course. The BA in Film and American Studies is a four year course with the third year spent studying at a university in the USA or Australia.

We have hosted a number of very successful events in recent years, including major conferences on British cinema (1988), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2002), Post-Feminism and popular culture (2004), Going Cheap: Female Celebrity in the Tabloid, Reality and Scandal Genres (2008), and the Anglia TV and the History of ITV conference (2008).

To find out more about why we think you should choose our degree programmes, please follow the links below:

Why Study in the School

What Our Students Say

UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Film, Television and Media Studies undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students.