FIL-10013 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

From Disney's Pinocchio to Pixar, from Paprika to Peppa Pig, animation is a vital and diverse aspect of popular film and media across international contexts, appealing both to children and adults alike. This module considers the cultural and technological factors informing animation across these contexts, and explores the specific meanings and pleasures audiences get from animated films. Across a range of key case studies, the module offers a detailed and analytical overview of this rich and varied form of film production.

This module takes an analytical and historical approach to film animation. It will provide an overview of animation history, looking at different technological and production contexts throughout the ages. While exploring American animation from Pinocchio to Pixar, the module looks at different cultural producers of animation, including examples of European and Asian film traditions, and looks at diverse forms, from hand-drawn animation, to stop-motion and CGI. Students overall will develop an historical sense of animation as a form, and an understanding of the key theoretical ideas around such films.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Understand the historical development of animated film across diverse international contexts: 1,2
Identify how different technological factors impact on and inform animated film across contexts: 1,2
Analyse the ways that animated films represent aspects of society, race and gender: 1,2
Understand and discuss the ways that animated film differs from and dialogues with other forms, such as live-action film, comics and fine arts: 1,2
Discuss and analyse a range of animated films showing awareness of film genre history and theory: 1,2

Study hours

12 x 1-hour seminars
10 x 1-hour lectures
8 x 2-hour individual film viewings, including tutor introduction
2 hours tutor consultation and feedback
22 hours reading and preparation for seminars
38 hours preparation for poster assessment
50 hours preparation for essay assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment