Global film in context

 

write at length about any film you have already written about, in this module or any other. Obviously you can still mention, briefly, films you have already mentioned in previous assignments, but be sensible. If you are treating a film in a completely different way, then it may be possible – but check first. Repetition of coursework will result in failure.

You may draw on the same theoretical material, i.e. if you have written about postmodernism once, you may do it again, but your examples must be different and you should not exactly repeat work from the previous assignment.

You may write about films we have not specifically studied, but make sure they are within the context of the module.

Make sure you read the question carefully. You may critique the question, question the question if you like, but do make sure that you have understood the question in the first place. You should also make sure that you support your argument with reference to films and writings.

Sometimes you may be writing about a specific theorist(s) and/or specific articles. This means that you need to read these articles and use them in your answer.

Make sure you reference correctly. Use any article or book you are using if you need to check how to do it. We use the Harvard system, so do most books and journals. There is also good information on line.
The Library has useful information.

Do spell check and grammar check. Don’t throw away marks. Sometimes it’s a good idea to get a friend to read through your essay, they may well spot mistakes that you have missed.
If you work with a friend make sure that your answers are distinct. If you answer the same question, make sure your examples are different!

If anything goes wrong, get in touch with us. The worse thing you can do is disappear and worry – get in touch and we can usually sort something else, if you don’t, we can’t.

Make sure that you fill in a mitigating circumstances form, extension form, and deferral form if you need one. Fill the form in correctly and make sure that you have the right kind of evidence. If you don’t do all of these things there is nothing we can do.

On first reading, a question may not seem to be about the film(s) you wish to write about. Read the question again, what is it asking you to do? How might the films you are interested in fit the question?

Many of the films we have studied are very recent, so you will not find books or academic articles with their name on the front. Your task is to take the theoretical work we have done and apply it to the films, the work of interpretation is your job, and that shows that you understand both the films and the theory.

Generally it makes sense to use the material handed out during the module. If you look at the module outline you will see that readings are linked to specific lectures and films. You would be amazed how many students don’t use this connection. (Obviously you can also use films and articles not mentioned in the module outline).

If you are writing about a particular film it makes sense to see what has been written about the film. Use books, journals, magazines, and the Internet. Try and be aware of the status of the piece you are using, and the date. You should make an effort to be aware of the range and kind of work that surrounds a particular film. You should try to be aware of the position the piece you are reading takes. Is it positive or negative about, say, postmodernism. Is it interested in feminism? What does it have to say about ethnicity? What kind of theory is being used? Marxism? Feminism? Postmodern theory? Different theorists occupy different and contradictory positions, this does not mean that ‘postmodernism is a confusing concept’, for example, but rather that there are different positions to be occupied. Different positions produce different readings. What position does your essay take?

If you have an article that does not have a source, i.e. it has been given to you by your tutors without the reference being supplied, then say in the bibliography ‘article provided by tutor, source unknown’. (You could also try Googling it).

If you are quoting from lecture notes then say so, even if you are not directly quoting. (Lecture notes: Hill: 2015).

Bibliographies and filmographies should be separated and entries put in alphabetical order. Again check the book you are using.

You may include images and clips if you want.

Think about the argument you are building. When do you need a new paragraph? Don’t write random (in the old sense!) sentences or start a new paragraph for no good reason.

Don’t tell me the plot unless there is a good reason, i.e. to prove a point you are making. You may add a plot summary at the end of the essay if you think I might not have seen the film,

If anything goes wrong and you can’t hand in on the day get in touch with me (val.hill@coventry.ac.uk), or contact reception in the Ellen Terry building. If you have a problem and you don’t want to talk to me about it, tell another tutor.

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