Course Catalogue

Representations of the Past in Film and Television FTV4122

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will explore how the past is depicted in film and television. It considers debates in the study of history over how the past might be represented and how history has been portrayed in audio-visual form.

Timetable

10 x 1hr lecture

10 x 1hr seminar

 

Mandatory screenings may be scheduled depending on the requirements of the course.

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Film and Television Studies or Creative Arts and Industries, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay (1500 words) - 40%
Essay (2500 words or 7-minute video essay) - 60%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essays, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor. 

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The course aims to:

■ assess the ability of film and television to both document the past and produce representations of past events

■ consider the ways in which cinematic and televisual representations of historical events shape our understanding of the past

■ familiarise students with various theoretical approaches towards the study of the past and its audiovisual representation

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ identify and discuss the conventional strategies of representing the past on film and television

■ demonstrate the connection between cinematic and televisual representations of the past and more general understandings of historical events

■ make use of, and reflect critically upon, different theoretical approaches towards the study of the past

■ pursue critically informed arguments about screen representations of the past through writing and/or videographic study

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions