Film & Media Studies

This course examines theoretical concepts and approaches to genre, with an emphasis on the relationship between concept/theory and associated analysis method/approach. In the tutorials, the considerations discussed in the lectures are deepened. Close reading of literature helps to elaborate further on classical approaches to genre, and different ways of textual analysis (formal analysis, narrative analysis). Discourse analysis is also practiced in the tutorials. This course also works on repertoire knowledge: several television programs are shown as examples of specific genres and genre developments. The acquired knowledge and skills are used in an individually and independently performed genre analysis.

In this course, learn about theatre, film, television, and games as storytelling media. The course pays particular attention to the very different ways in which stories may be structured and constructed, and what that means for how the audience watches, experiences, or takes part in the story. The course addresses a number of narrative forms and -structures, such as the Aristotelian tragedy, the classic Hollywood-movie narrative, the television series (serial storytelling) and the narrative game (environmental storytelling). This list seems to suggest that each medium – theatre, film, television, and games – has its own form of storytelling, but that suggestion is incorrect. While it is perhaps true that certain narrative forms have developed in a specific medium, and certain narrative forms are more obvious choices for one medium than for another, media forms are also constantly borrowing from one another. In recent years, for instance, there have been numerous theatre performances that were inspired by games and game-based structures. In such performances, the audience does not merely sit in a chair watching a story unfold; rather, they are led along a set trajectory through various spaces as they themselves take an active role in the story being told. At the same time, an increasing number of game designers are creating digital games that are intended not for play on the computer, but rather on the streets and other public spaces. For that reason, this course focuses on the specific characteristics of various media and on what these mean for the way in which they are able to convey stories; on the other hand, the course also pauses to reflect on the fact that media never exist in isolation. Various media constantly influence one another in their development, meaning they also influence one another in the way they tell stories and the result they hope to achieve through those stories in terms of their audience.

This course sets specific topics for students. Through the specific shooting practice, as well as a large number of specific case analysis and creative guidance for documentary photography, it is hoped that the students who sign up for this course can understand documentary photography and use documentary photography to carry out news reporting practice.

This course provides an analysis of communication and information in the contemporary world. It covers terminology, concepts and main theories, as well as practical implications in the field.