BA Philosophy and Film Studies
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Description
Blade Runner, Memento, The Matrix: many films illustrate philosophical themes and problems. Can film do more and actually do philosophy? Can cinema argue as well as show? And what can philosophy bring to the study of film, to our understanding of the practise of film-making, to films as texts? These kinds of question can be explored in the BA in Philosophy and Film Studies, which offers an interdisciplinary study of two subjects that are deeply interlinked, at least in the manner in which they are taught by staff in the Schools of Philosophy and Film & TV Studies. Students engage fully in the disciplines of philosophy and film studies.
Course Structure Year 1This year includes introductions…
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Blade Runner, Memento, The Matrix: many films illustrate philosophical themes and problems. Can film do more and actually do philosophy? Can cinema argue as well as show? And what can philosophy bring to the study of film, to our understanding of the practise of film-making, to films as texts? These kinds of question can be explored in the BA in Philosophy and Film Studies, which offers an interdisciplinary study of two subjects that are deeply interlinked, at least in the manner in which they are taught by staff in the Schools of Philosophy and Film & TV Studies. Students engage fully in the disciplines of philosophy and film studies.
Course Structure Year 1This year includes introductions to philosophical reasoning and to the history of the subject via major modern philosophers, to methods and issues in studying films and to the history of modern cinema. You take six compulsory modules, three from each discipline:
- Classic Readings in Philosophy
- Reasoning and Logic
- Modern Readings in Philosophy
- Studies in Film History
- Analysing Film and Television
- What is Film History?
You must take the compulsory film module Film Theory plus another second-level module from a list which presently includes options in the economics of film and television, other film modules as well as modules in Literature and Politics for example. And you must take any two second-level philosophy modules, from a wide range of options including Aesthetics, Mind, Religion, Ethics, and many historical modules. Film & Literature as Philosophy must be taken either in the second year or the third year. In addition, you are entitled to two free choice modules, which can be chosen from any eligible module within the University. You may choose to focus, doing more philosophy or film modules, or to broaden your interests by taking modules from another humanity, a social science or even a science (subject to satisying any entry requirements). Or you can take a language or a more practical career-based module, in preparation for employment after university.
Year 3You must take any two level 3 philosophy modules; again these are drawn from a wide range of options. And you must take two level 3 film modules, from a list that might include Ethnicity in American Film, Genre and Gender, and Contemporary Japanese Visual Media. Some students choose the dissertation module (in either philosophy or film) in the final year: the 10,000-word dissertation, on a philosophical or film studies subject, or interdisciplinary between the two, is prepared under the guidance of a tutor. (This is recommended for students thinking of going on to do postgraduate study).
Teaching and AssessmentThis degree is taught jointly by the School of Philosophy and the School of Film and Television Studies.
Philosophy thrives on discussion and the exchange of views. Only some parts of it can be done in large lecture classes. So we do have some of those—but when we do, they are designed to set you thinking, not to tell you facts. It's about learning how to think, and how to express what you think, not learning what to say. All the units have small group seminars or tutorials in which you work on the problems with a member of staff.
During the year your written work is marked by the seminar tutors. They give you comments and feedback to help you improve. Time is set aside for you to call on the lecturers to discuss your work or to get individual guidance.
Assessment is by a mixture of essays, longer projects or dissertation, and examinations. Each unit has its own mix of assessment. The degree result is calculated from the results of all the units in your final two years. You can find more information on the modules available on this course on the 'Course Profile' page.
Course Organiser:Dr. Jeremy Goodenough
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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 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
- TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
- PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 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.
The School does not currently interview all applicants for undergraduate entry as standard, however we may interview mature students, those returning to study or applicants with alternative qualifications. All applicants who are made an offer are given the opportunity to meet with an academic on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.
Gap YearWe 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.
Special Entry RequirementsThere are no specific subjects that are required in order to take up Philosophy, and it is not necessary to have studied any Philosophy before. We are keen to see some arts or humanities subjects that involve academic work, including writing essays and reading texts. Good results in Mathematics, Music or Latin are also an indicator for doing well in Philosophy - because of the kind of rigour which they instil.
IntakesThe School's annual intake is in September of each year.
Alternative QualificationsIf you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.
GCSE OfferStudents are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at grade C or above.
AssessmentFor 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.
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‘What makes a stuffed shark a work of art?'
‘Is morality just a matter of taste?’
‘Is everything we do determined by our genes and our environment, or do we have genuine free will?’
‘Is it possible to prove (or to disprove) the existence of God?’
‘Can I know that what I take to be the real world is not just an illusion (as in The Matrix)?’
‘What's the difference between a logical argument and an illogical one?’
‘Is my mind the same thing as my brain, or does my mind have a non-physical aspect?’
‘Can machines think?’
‘Are there any good arguments against cloning people?’
Degrees in philosophy are designed to make you think. They tend to include a mixture of historical reflection—exploring questions that earlier philosophers have raised and testing the value of their answers—and cutting-edge work on questions that seem new and theories that seem fashionable. In fact the history often shows that the new theories have an interesting past as well.
Philosophy also requires an acute and critical mind. You don't just muse on possible answers to the questions: you challenge them. You demonstrate that some answers can't be right. This requires strict and rigorous reasoning.
Because of this rigour and logical precision, a degree in philosophy delivers powerful intellectual strengths, comparable with the outcomes of a science degree, but combined with the sensitivity and well-developed communication skills typical of an arts degree.
UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU StudentsFurther information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here
University Fees and Financial Support: International StudentsThe University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Philosophy undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.
Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students
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