Film and Television Studies and German BA

Course overview

These courses interrogate cinema and television as art forms and as industries, locating them within specific historical and social contexts, in particular those of German-language cultures. The course explores screen media texts, producers and audiences, and also gives students a solid grounding in film and television history, aesthetics and reception. The course allows students to develop German language ability to degree level alongside a wide choice of modules in areas including literature, history, linguistics, film and politics.

Year one 

Students engage in multi-disciplinary activity in addition to core studies in Hollywood and international film history, the analysis of film and television texts and key critical perspectives, and the development of the television medium. The core language courses develop the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. In addition, students take modules in German literature, history, politics and society, and/or linguistics.

Year two

Students deepen their understanding of key critical and theoretical approaches in the study of the production, circulation and cultural reception of film and television. Modules explore the ways film and television converge in the contemporary media landscape, the phenomena of transnational media flows, and the social significance of the culture industries and issues of representation. The second year further develops students' German language skills, and students also choose from a range of historical, literary and cultural options relevant to German language contexts.

Year three

Students will spend this year in Germany or Austria, on a programme of studies in a higher education institution, as an assistant in a school, or on a work placement.

Year four

Final year students specialise in specific aspects of film and television studies by choosing from a range of advanced modules. These offer the possibility of investigating new and emerging areas of film and television studies concerning the production of texts, film-going and screen audiences. Students also write an independent research dissertation under staff supervision. Students also develop the command of German to a high level and use it in increasingly sophisticated contexts. Finally, students study optional modules in German drawn from the areas of literature, history, politics, society, media and linguistics.

More information 

See also the Department of German Studies.

Entry requirements

A levels: ABB/AAC, german at A level, no specific subjects, but usually one of english, film, history, media studies, politics or sociology, or another essay-based subject

English language requirements 

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (no less than 20 in speaking and 19 in each other element)

Alternative qualifications 

For details please see alternative qualifications page.

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Typical year-one modules

• Film History 1
• Approaches to Film and Television
• German Language I

Typical year-two modules

• Transnational Film and Television
• Understanding Cultural Industries
• German Language 2
• Film and Television in Social and Cultural Context

Typical year-three modules

Year spent abroad.

Please see the Department of German Introduction to the Year Abroad page or contact the Department of Culture, Film and Media for more information.

Typical year-four modules

• Film Studies Dissertation

Typical optional modules

• Germany from Empire to 1968
• Television Cultures
• German Life Writing
• The Life and Demise of the GDR
• Epic Theatre
• The Blockbuster
• Video Production Project
• Jewish Intellectuals in Germany 1830-1940
• Writing in Exile
• Introduction to German Film Studies 
   

Careers

You will have completed an independent research dissertation and will have an in-depth knowledge of specific areas of film and television studies, including production, circulation and cultural reception. You will have developed your command of German to a high level and your international experience will demonstrate to employers that you are independent and adaptable.

Average starting salary 

The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of Culture, Film and Media was £17,305 and for graduates of the Department of German Studies was £22,454.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.

Careers Support and Advice

Studying for a degree at The University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take. Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our Careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.  

KIS