Program Overview

University of Cape Town Programs

The University of Cape Town offers a range of programs through its Faculty of Humanities, including undergraduate and postgraduate studies in film and media.

Undergraduate Studies

• BA in Film & Television Studies
• BA in Media & Writing
• BA in Film & Media Production: Screen Production
  • Undergraduate Courses:
    • FAM1001F - Media and Society
    • FAM1000S - Analysing Film & Television
    • FAM2000F - Writing and Editing in the Media
    • FAM2003S - Media, Power & Culture
    • FAM2004S - Cinema: Histories and Movements
    • FAM2013F - Introduction to Screen Genres
    • FAM2014FS - Screen Production I
    • FAM2017FS - Multimedia Production I
    • FAM3000F - The Media in South Africa
    • FAM3001S - Advanced Media Studies
    • FAM3003S - Advanced Film Studies
    • FAM3005F - Film in Africa
    • FAM3016FL/P - Screen Production II
    • FAM3017FS - Senior Research Project: Screen Production
    • FAM3018FSL/P - Multimedia Production II
    • FAM3019FS - Multimedia Production III

Postgraduate

• Honours:
  • Honours in Film & Television Studies
  • Honours in Film Theory & Practice
  • Honours in Media Theory & Practice
  • Honours in Political Communication
• Masters:
  • MA in Documentary Arts
  • MA in Film & Television Studies
  • MA in Film Studies
  • MA in Media Studies
  • MA in Media Theory & Practice
  • MA in Political Communication
  • Twinned MA degree in Global Media (LSE and UCT)
• PhD:
  • PhD in Film Studies
  • PhD in Media Studies
• Postgraduate Courses:
  • Honours Level Courses:
    • FAM4007F - Narrative Journalism
    • FAM4012H - Media Creative Project
    • FAM4000W - Video Project
    • FAM4001W - Research Essay/Project
    • FAM4004S - Avant-Grade Film
    • FAM4008F - Media Theory & Media Research
    • FAM4009H - Media Research Project
    • FAM4010F - Media and Brand Management
    • FAM4011F/S - Media Internship
    • FAM4013F - Political Communication
    • FAM4014S - Political Journalism
    • FAM4017F - Advanced Television Analysis
    • FAM4018S - Crisis Communication in Africa
    • FAM4033F/S - Writing for Television: Honours
    • FAM4036S - Film and Environment
    • FAM4037F - Approaches to Film & TV
    • FAM4038F - Authorship in Cinema
    • FAM4039F - Documentary Film: Forms & Theories
    • FAM4040F - Writing for Film: Honours
    • FAM4041S - Media and the Public Domain
  • Masters Level Courses:
    • FAM5006W - Minor Dissertation
    • FAM5011S - Media and the Public Domain
    • FAM5012W - Media Creative Project
    • FAM5013F - Advanced Media Methodology
    • FAM5014F/S - Media, Development and the Environment
    • FAM5015W - Making the Critical Documentary
    • FAM5017F - Political Communication
    • FAM5018S - Political Journalism
    • FAM5019F/S - Media Internship
    • FAM5020S - Advanced Brand Management
    • FAM5039F - Approaches to African Cinema
    • FAM5045F - Documentary Film: Forms & Theories
    • FAM5046S - Film and Environment
    • FAM5047F/S - Contemporary Moving Image Theories

Short Courses

• UCT Digital Photography online short course
• UCT Copy-Editing Online Short Course
• UCT Feature Journalism online short course
• UCT Web Design online short course
• Impact Facilitator Short Course

SARChI Chair

• SA-UK SARChI Bilateral Research Chair in Digital Media Sociology
• The Digital Media Sociology (DMS) Lab

Course Details: FAM2004S - Cinema: Histories and Movements

Convener

Dr Litheko Modisane

Entrance Requirements

FAM1000S, or at the discretion of the Head of Department.

Course Outline

This course examines the histories of cinemas and their social, cultural, and political contexts from the silent era through to contemporary film. Important filmmakers and theorists are explored, from Soviet and German filmmaking between the wars, and the emergence of Africa filmmaking in the 1960s to Hollywood New Wave and Dogme 95. By the end of the course, students will have gained a broad knowledge of the histories of cinemas and cinema movements, deepening their knowledge of cinema, and will have improved their analytical skills and writing abilities.

Course Structure

The course comprises a lecture series, weekly tutorials, and screenings.

1. Lectures: 5th period, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
2. Tutorials: All students attend 1 tutorial per week.
3. Screenings: Fridays, 6th period - 8th period

DP Requirements

All written work must be submitted by the stipulated dates. Students who miss more than two tutorials will lose their DPs.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%.