Checking date: 23/05/2025 23:35:41


Course: 2025/2026

Analysis of audio-visual discourse
(18372)
Bachelor in Cultural Studies (Study Plan 2019) (Plan: 435 - Estudio: 364)


Coordinating teacher: ALVAREZ SAN ROMAN, MERCEDES

Department assigned to the subject: Communication and Media Studies Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Objectives
The main objectives of this course are to: - Integrate the different elements and characteristics of film language. - Learn and apply different visual methodologies that allow a comprehensive analysis of different types of film narratives. - Identify the social, cultural, political and aesthetic role of the image from a historical perspective, with a particular emphasis in contemporary society. - Develop the creativity and expression through the moving image.
Description of contents: programme
This course focuses on the structure and functioning of audiovisual texts, resulting from a given context and based on a specific grammar. Therefore, the different elements of film grammar (mise-en-scène, framing, editing, sound) will be studied in detail and a wide range of audiovisual contents from different historical moments, countries, formats and genres will be analyzed. This course will be based on the analysis of audiovisual language in order to understand the discourses that circulate in our societies through the moving image. A critical thinking will be encouraged by raising awareness on how audiovisual contents are created.
Learning activities and methodology
1. Lectures and seminars Different elements of film grammar will be studied in order to acquire the necessary tools to analyze the moving image, supported by readings related to theoretical issues. Continuous analysis of a varied set of films and TV series, from several periods and origins, will be addressed 2. Assignments: Students will carry out several assignments and activities in order to assimilate the content of the course.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination/test 40
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 60




Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Barker, M. y Austin, T.. From Antz to Titanic: Reinventing Film Analysis. Pluto Press. 2000
  • Bordwell, D.; Thompson, K.; Smith, J. . Film Art: An Introduction. Mc Graw Hill. 2016
  • Burch, N. . Theory of Film Practice. Princeton Legacy Library. 1982
  • Corrigan, T. . A Short Guide to Writing about Film. Longman. 2009
  • Geiger, J. y Rutsky, R.L.. Film Analysis: A Norton Reader. W W Norton & Company, Inc.. 2005
  • Gibbs, J. y Pye, D.. Style and Meaning: Studies in the detailed analysis of Film. Manchester University Press. . 2005
Additional Bibliography
  • Bazin, A.. What is Cinema?. University of California Press. 1940
  • Bordwell, D. . Pandora's Digital Box. Irvington Way institute Press. 2013
  • Bordwell, D., Staiger, J. & Thompson, K. . The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style and Mode of Production to 1960. Columbia University Press. 1988
  • Mulvey, L.. Visual and Other Pleasures. Palgrave Mcmillan. 1989
  • Murch, W. . In the Blink of and Eye. Silman-James Press. 2001
  • Sontag, S.. Against Interpretation and Other Essays. Picador. 1966

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.