AJ0301 English and American Film Production

Faculty of Education
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/1.5/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Irena Headlandová Kalischová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Zuzana Kršková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Irena Headlandová Kalischová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Prerequisites
Recommended level of English: B2
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 80 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/80, only registered: 0/80, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/80
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 37 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The students will explore the British and American cultures as depicted through the lenses of various British and American films. Topics of cultural diversity, ethnic and minority identities, and social justice will be explored. The course is facilitated by 3 instructors, with introductory comments by each on film-making and cinematography, use of language as well as history and culture.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to improve language proficiency and recognize important directors and titles of British and American film production. They will be able to compare and contrast various aspects of films (i.e. their genres, social and cultural context, critical reception, etc.) and critically evaluate them.
Syllabus
  • This course is supported by Masaryk University's Information System. Students will attend biweekly screenings at the ART cinema, after each of which they will participate in on-line discussion forums expressing their opinions and evaluating each film. The course will conclude with a group project: in groups of 3-5, students are going to make a short film and write a short reflection justifying the choice of the topic, genre, language and cinematographic techniques used (use of cutting/editing, camera position, frame, light, music,etc). The recommended length is between 3-5 minutes, and approx. 300 words for the reflection.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • CAMPBELL, Neil and Alasdair KEAN. American cultural studies : an introduction to American culture. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 1997, viii, 311. ISBN 041512798X. info
  • British cultural identities. Edited by Mike Storry - Peter Childs. London: Routledge, 1997, xxii, 350. ISBN 0415136997. info
    not specified
  • Staples D. E. (Ed.). (1991). The American Cinema. USA: United States Information Agency.
Teaching methods
movie viewing and independent reading of assigned supplementary materials; group work; short introductions delivered before each screening
Assessment methods
Class attendance, minimum 5 of the 6 screenings; active participation in the on-line discussions; final group project (a short film + a written reflection)
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
General note: Předmět bude realizován, pokud se přihlásí alespoň 15 studentů.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 1x3 hodiny 1 za 14 dní.
Teacher's information
This course has a unique syllabus every year therefore we will not grant our approval if you have attended it once and want to have it recognized when you change your study programme/start a new one. In the course, the use of AI is permitted for learning but not for cheating. It is acceptable to use AI for brainstorming ideas, basic proofreading, suggestions for improvement. It is unacceptable to have a text generated, translated or reformulated. Remember to acknowledge all innovative ideas that are not yours. For generated ideas use in-text citations. At the end of each assignment, state how you worked/did not work with AI. When in doubt, consult your teacher.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Spring 2018, Autumn 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2025/AJ0301