Literature and culture today: Introduction to media studies 2510-f1ENG2W-LCT-IMS

https://moodle.umk.pl/course/view.php?id=5516 (term 2023/24Z)
https://moodle.umk.pl/course/view.php?id=7327 (term 2024/25Z)

The seminar presents major interpretative techniques and problems in contemporary TV and film studies with the aim to provide critical and analytical tools to be used in other courses and individual work. The issues discussed during the course include the structure of TV texts, contemporary film criticism, realism, representation and ideology, postmodern narratives.

Content distribution:
Meaning and ideology: advertising and consumerism
Realism: reality shows and the found footage genre
News and disinformation
Narrative and form: series and serials
Film narrative: classical versus complex narrative
Film genres: Westerns and gangster films
Film and social problems: film noir
Action cinema and transmedia storytelling
Film and cultural change: zombies and vampires
New directions in cinema: transcultural influences

Total student workload

2023/2024 (1 ECTS=30 hrs) Contact hours with teacher: - participation in classes - 30 hrs 2025/2026 (2 ECTS=50 hrs) Contact hours with teacher: -- participation in classes - 30 hrs - meetings with the lecturer (online and onsite) - 1 hrs Self-study hours: - preparation for classes – 5 hrs. - preparation for the presentation - 6 hrs. - preparation for the final project (essay) – 8 hrs.

Learning outcomes - knowledge

The student W1: has advanced knowledge of the terminology used in Anglophone media studies (K_W10)

Learning outcomes - skills

The student U1: is able to search for, analyse and interpret information from various sources, applying methods of media studies and using advanced technologies in their research (K_U01, K_U02). U2: is able to apply selected theoretical perspectives and paradigms pertaining to media studies and use their knowledge in academic discussions (K_U05, K_U06) U3: is able to formulate critical opinions about cultural artefacts on the basis of academic knowledge and experience, and to present their critical opinions in various forms and media (K_U14, K_U15, K_U16) U4: is able to undertake autonomous tasks in the field of media studies, taking into account the objectives and instructions formulated by their academic supervisors (K_U07, K_U09). U5: is able to gain and deepen their knowledge in the field of cultural and media studies and develop their research skills on their own (K_U10).

Learning outcomes - social competencies

The student K1: is able to critically assess their knowledge and abilities, and understands the need for constant development (K_K01).

Observation/demonstration teaching methods

- display

Expository teaching methods

- participatory lecture

Exploratory teaching methods

- project work
- practical
- seminar
- case study

Prerequisites

Interest in film and television studies.

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Więckowska

Assessment criteria

2025/2026
Participation in discussion and completion of assignments – W1, U2, U3, K1 (30%)
Project presentation and description - W1, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, K1 (35%)
Essay/creative writing – W1, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, K (35%)

fail – 0-59 %
satisfactory – 60-69 %
satisfactory plus – 70-75 %
good – 76-85 %
good plus – 86-90 %
very good – 91-100 %

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2510-f1ENG2W-LCT-IMS in USOSweb