The joint degree in Film and Literature is the only one of its kind at a British university and deals with both subjects equally. The degree aims to define and explore the creative potentialities of film and to a lesser extent television, closely examining textual features, assessing critically the achievements of major practitioners, the history of key genres and the various theories of film that have been elaborated. There is consideration of the historical, sociological and ideological aspects of cinema, relating films to the particular cultures and periods in which they were produced, and exploring the significance of genres and stars and the role of technology and economics. The literature side offers a broad coverage of English, European and American literature, primarily of the 19th and 20th centuries, with works selected from mass and popular literature as well as established literary tradition. Major emphasis is placed on critical training in the reading of poetry, prose and drama and the theoretical and method-ological issues raised by the study of literary texts.
European literature is studied in translation in core courses.
Connections between film and literature are made across courses in terms of theoretical issues and shared historical contexts. The degree is assessed through a combination of essays and unseen examinations, which take place at the end of each year. Film History strand and Film Criticism strand. The Hollywood Cinema. Naturalism or American Literature.