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Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Children, Culture and Cinema
Code COMM214
Coordinator Dr KF Whitehurst
Communication and Media
Katherine.Whitehurst@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2024-25 Level 5 FHEQ First Semester 30

Aims

To encourage students to explore how norms and values are constructed, reinforced and challenged within children's films.
To provide insight into the audiences children's films address.
To encourage students to think about children's and family films beyond innocent entertainment.
To introduce students to the child as both a consumer and a subject of cinema.
To explore the relationship between children, culture and cinema.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will demonstrate a detailed knowledge of children's films and culture.

(LO2) Students will analyse how norms are constructed in children's cinema.

(LO3) Students will critically analyse filmic texts and demonstrate this ability through visual and auditory means.

(LO4) Students will evaluate the main academic debates and concerns around children's cinema.

(S1) Critical Thinking

(S2) Research

(S3) Scene Analysis

(S4) Professional Writing

Syllabus
 

Syllabus - topics may include:
Introduction
Children’s and Family Films – Genre and Marketing and the Address of a Dual Audience
Adaptation – Children’s Literature on the Big Screen
Children’s Play and Cinema
The Child on Screen
Children, Memory and Trauma in Cinema
Gender in Children’s Films
Grown-ups in Children’s Films
Children’s Cinema and the Nation
Diversity in Children’s Films

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lectures introduce key themes, topics, debates, concepts, and case studies. During the Coronavirus outbreak these lectures will be provided online.
Attendance recorded: Yes

Workshops will include a film screening in the first half of the session. The second half of the session (45 minutes) will encourage group discussion and analysis around a weekly reading and a specific film. These workshops will combine traditional academic discussion with video editing and analysis sessions to prepare students for their assignments. During the Coronavirus outbreak these workshops will be run online.
Attendance recorded: No

The majority of teaching will be delivered face to face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 11

         15

 26
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 124
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Video Essay: A director's cut style analysis of a scene from a children's movie in relation to the major themes and topics explored in the module.  7    60       
A film review of a children's film or a film that features children/children's culture.  0    40       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.