Programme Specifications

Film and Television Studies / Mathematics


1 : Awarding Institution / Body
Aberystwyth University

2a : Teaching Institution / University
Aberystwyth University

2b : Work-based learning (where appropriate)


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:



3a : Programme accredited by
Aberystwyth University

3b : Programme approved by
Aberystwyth University

4 : Final Award
Bachelor of Arts

5 : Programme title
Film and Television Studies / Mathematics

6 : UCAS code
GW16

7 : QAA Subject Benchmark


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:

Communications, Media, Film and Cultural Studies

Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research

8 : Date of publication


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:

  • September 2023


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

September 2023

9 : Educational aims of the programme


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:

  • To develop interpretative, critical and creative skills relevant to the analysis and appreciation of audiovisual media

  • To provide opportunities for students to acquire a wide range of academic, communicative and creative skills relevant to the above

  • To give students an opportunity to combine academic study and understanding of Film and Television considered both as product and productive process, along with a developed appreciation of these media as modes of perceiving and representing the world.

  • To enable students to acquire theoretical and practical experience and understanding of audiovisual cultural forms through a variety of methods, including individually designed research and practical exploration (singly and in small groups).

  • To equip students with a range of graduate skills which will enhance their employability;

  • To enable students to proceed to more advanced modes of study or production.


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

This programme caters for a degree scheme which allows the student to take a course in which one-half of the content is in Mathematics and the remainder in another subject.

 

The educational aims of the programme are:

· To provide students with knowledge and understanding in a range of topics in Mathematics, which may include some topics in Statistics.

· To develop skills in the application of such knowledge and understanding to the solutions of problems in Mathematics.

· To develop the ability to transfer subject-specific skills to a range of topics in Mathematics.

· To allow students to develop subject-specific knowledge and skills in another discipline in parallel with their studies in Mathematics.

· To prepare students for careers in which a combination of the skills developed in Mathematics and another subject is particularly appropriate. 

· To develop analytical reasoning skills, team-working skills, information technology skills and other skills appropriate to a wide range of careers.



10 : Intended learning outcomes


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas

10.1 : Knowledge and understanding


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:

  • Key concepts and theories involved in the analysis and academic study of the product of the film and television industries

  • Understanding of the structures and processes involved in the manufacture of the product of those industries and in their reception and consumption

  • Awareness of the history of film and television in the 20th century, with particular focus on Britain and America, along with opportunities for comparison with other traditions

  • A wide range of styles, genres, practices and codes involved in construction and consumption of cultural media, including fiction and non-fiction and other related modes

  • Explicit and implicit modes of discourse sustained and developed, consciously and unconsciously, in audiovisual culture

  • Problems and processes involved in creative practice relevant to film and television, individually and in groups


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

Knowledge and understanding

A1. Of fundamental concepts and techniques of calculus, algebra, analysis and selected topics in geometry, mathematical modelling, probability and statistics.
A2. Of more advanced concepts in abstract algebra, real and complex analysis and selected topics in numerical mathematics, fluid dynamics, probability and statistics.
A3. Of a selection of specialist topics in Mathematics and Statistics.
A4. Of software for the analysis of numerical data.
A5. Of software supporting presentations and producing reports.

 

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Formal lectures (A1-A5), tutorials (A1-A4), examples classes (A1-A4), practical classes (A4 - A5), help-desk encounters (A1), student-initiated informal meetings with lecturers (A1-A4), coursework (A1-A4). Project consultations (A1-A4) for students who have chosen the appropriate module.

 

Assessment – unseen written examinations (A1-A3), open-book practical examinations (A1 - A4), coursework (A1-A4). Project reports/presentations (A1 - A5), if appropriate.



10.2 : Skills and other attributes


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:

  • The ability to examine critically a range of film and televisual situations and forms, exploring their meanings and implications

  • Critical awareness of the status and provenance of meaning in audiovisual culture, fictional and non-fictional

  • The ability to locate and to draw upon a wide range of sources to support analysis, investigation and argument

  • The ability to apply course-derived understandings to debates about the significance of film and television in contemporary culture

  • The ability to work effectively and imaginatively, individually and in teams in a variety of aspects of film, television and media production.


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

10.2.1.      Intellectual skills

 

The ability to

B1. Calculate and manipulate data obtained from, or related to, the bodies of knowledge studied.
B2. Apply a range of concepts and principles in well-defined mathematical or statistical contexts, showing judgement in the selection and application of tools and techniques.
B3. Develop and evaluate logical arguments.
B4. Abstract the essential elements of problems, formulate them in a mathematical context and obtain solutions by appropriate methods.

 

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Formal lectures, tutorials, examples classes, practical classes, revision workshops, help-desk encounters, student-initiated informal meetings with lecturers. Project consultations for students who have chosen the appropriate modules. Skills B1-B4 are developed in all these learning situations.

 

Assessment – unseen written examinations, open-book practical examinations, coursework, presentations. Project reports, if appropriate. Skills B1-B4 are assessed by all these assessment methods.

10.2.2.      Professional practical skills

The ability to

C1. Present arguments and conclusions effectively and accurately.
C2. Use computer software to analyse and interpret the data.
C3. Use computer software to support presentations and produce reports.

 

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Formal lectures, tutorials, examples classes, practical classes, revision workshops, help-desk encounters, student-initiated informal meetings with lecturers. Project consultations for students who have chosen the appropriate modules. Skill C1 is developed in all these learning situations, skills C2-C3 in practical classes. Some, but not all, of the skills C2-C3 are acquired by all students on this programme, since the modules in which they are developed are optional.

 

Assessment – unseen written examinations (C1), open-book practical examinations (C2), coursework (C1 - C2), project report/presentations (C1-C3), if appropriate.



10.3 : Transferable/Key skills


Information provided by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies:

  • The ability to structure and communicate ideas effectively in a variety of situations, and for a variety of potential users

  • The ability to pose and solve intellectual and practical problems

  • The ability to listen and make critical use of advice

  • The ability to make effective use of available (including on-line) resources

  • The ability to manage time effectively , both independently and under supervision

  • The ability to work creatively

  • The ability to utilise problem-solving skills in a variety of situations

  • The ability to work independently, and in groups

  • The ability to use a range of information technology skills and resources, appropriate to tasks.


Information provided by Department of Mathematics:

The ability to

D1. Apply general mathematical skills to the interpretation of numerical data.
D2. Work as a member of a team.
D3. Use information technology effectively to manage information.
D4. Manage time and resources effectively.
D5. Develop effective learning skills.
D6. Be aware of the need to plan for employment and of need to develop various skills for such employment.
D7. Work independently.

 

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Skill D1 is developed in all learning environments in the Department of Mathematics and assessed by all assessment methods. Skill D2 is developed during practical classes. Skill D3 is developed primarily in practical classes and assessed by open-book examinations and coursework. Project consultations for students who have chosen the appropriate modules. Skill D3 is also developed through the use of e-mail, which is a normal means of communication between staff and students. Skills D4 and D5 are developed in an induction course on study skills, in preparing set coursework and submitting it by given deadlines.  Skills D4 and D5 are not explicitly assessed. Skill D6 is developed at meetings with Personal Tutors, at occasional recruitment meetings arranged for final-year students in the Department of Mathematics and in interactions with the Careers Advisory Service. Skills D4, D5 and D7 are developed by independent study for an optional project.



11 : Program Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards



BA Film and Television Studies / Mathematics [GW16]

Academic Year: 2023/2024Joint Honours scheme - available from 2000/2001

Duration (studying Full-Time): 3 years

Part 1 Rules

Year 1 Core (40 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
MA10510

Algebra

MP10610

Calculus

Semester 2
MA11110

Mathematical Analysis

MP11010

Further Algebra and Calculus

Year 1 Core (60 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 1
FM10120

Studying Film

Semester 2
FM10220

Studying Television

FM11520

Making Short Films 1

Year 1 Options

Students may, subject to the demands of their other scheme, take one of the following:

Semester 1
FM10620

Studying Media

Semester 2
FM10720

Studying Communication

FM11120

Movements in Film History

Year 1 Options

Choose 20 credits

Semester 1
MA10110

Coordinate and Vector Geometry

MA10310

Probability

MT10110

Geometreg Gyfesurynnol a Fectoraidd

MT10310

Tebygoleg

Semester 2
MA11210

Differential Equations

MA11310

Statistics

MT11210

Hafaliadau Differol

MT11310

Ystadegaeth

Part 2 Rules

Year 2 Core (20 Credits)

Compulsory module(s).

Semester 2
MA21410

Linear Algebra

MA21510

Complex Analysis

Year 2 Options

Joint Honours Film and TV Studies Students must take a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 40 credits from the following critical theory modules:

Semester 1
FM20620

Television Genre

FM22320

Youth Cultures

FM22620

Media, Politics and Power

Semester 2
FM20120

LGBT Screens

FM21520

Stardom and Celebrity

FM24420

Art Cinema

FM25520

Digital Culture

Year 2 Options

Joint Honours Film and TV Studies students must take a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum 40 credits (20 in each semester) from the following creative practice modules:

Semester 1
FM21620

Writing for Film and Television

FM23820

Work in the Media Industries

FM26520

Creative Documentary

Semester 2
FM20920

Creative Fiction: Horror

FM25420

Creative Studio

Year 2 Options

Choose 40 credits of optional mathematics modules, EITHER from Block A, OR BLOCK B. (BLOCK A listed below):

Semester 1
MA20110

Real Analysis

MA20310

Introduction to Abstract Algebra

MA26010

Distributions and Estimation

MA26600

Applied Statistics

MT20110

Dadansoddiad Real

Semester 2
MA26620

Applied Statistics

Year 2 Options

Choose 40 credits of optional mathematics modules, EITHER from Block A, OR BLOCK B. (BLOCK B listed below):

Semester 1
MA20110

Real Analysis

MA20310

Introduction to Abstract Algebra

MA25200

Introduction to Numerical Analysis and its applications

MT20110

Dadansoddiad Real

MT25200

Cyflwyniad i Ddadansoddiad Rhifiadol a'i Gymwysiadau

Semester 2
MA25220

Introduction to Numerical Analysis and its applications

MA25610

Hydrodynamics 1

MA25710

Advanced Dynamics

MT25220

Cyflwyniad i Ddadansoddiad Rhifiadol a'i Gymwysiadau

MT25610

Hydrodynameg 1

Final Year Options

Joint Honours Film and TV Studies Students must take at least 20 credits from the following modules (please note that the Independent Research Project is worth 40 credits: 20 per semester):

Semester 1
FM34520

Experimental Cinema

FM36000

Independent Research Project

FM38220

Cult Cinema: Texts, Histories and Audiences

FM38320

Gender and the Media

FM38420

Videogame Theories

Semester 2
FM30020

Contemporary Film and the Break-Up of Britain

FM30320

Contemporary TV Drama

FM36040

Independent Research Project

Final Year Options

Joint Honours Film and TV Studies students may take up to 40 credits from the following modules:

Semester 1
FM33500

Experimental Media Production

FM33700

Documentary Production

FM34200

Fiction Film Production

FM37020

Scriptwriting 1

Semester 2
FM33540

Experimental Media Production

FM33740

Documentary Production

FM34240

Fiction Film Production

FM37120

Scriptwriting 2

Final Year Electives

Choose 60 credits (level 3) from mathematics as advised by the department, subject to pre-requisites


12 : Support for students and their learning
Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors have an important role within the overall framework for supporting students and their personal development at the University. The role is crucial in helping students to identify where they might find support, how and where to seek advice and how to approach support to maximise their student experience. Further support for students and their learning is provided by Information Services and Student Support and Careers Services.

13 : Entry Requirements
Details of entry requirements for the scheme can be found at http://courses.aber.ac.uk

14 : Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
All taught study schemes are subject to annual monitoring and periodic review, which provide the University with assurance that schemes are meeting their aims, and also identify areas of good practice and disseminate this information in order to enhance the provision.

15 : Regulation of Assessment
Academic Regulations are published as Appendix 2 of the Academic Quality Handbook: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aqro/handbook/app-2/.

15.1 : External Examiners
External Examiners fulfill an essential part of the University’s Quality Assurance. Annual reports by External Examiners are considered by Faculties and Academic Board at university level.

16 : Indicators of quality and standards
The Department Quality Audit questionnaire serves as a checklist about the current requirements of the University’s Academic Quality Handbook. The periodic Department Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance processes and for the University to assure itself that management of quality and standards which are the responsibility of the University as a whole are being delivered successfully.