Accessibility statement

Digital Culture, Aesthetics & Storytelling - TFT00019C

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Jenna Ng
  • Credit value: 30 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module summary

In this module, you will first learn fundamental storytelling elements, such as plot, character, genre etc, as applied across different media forms from cinema to games to television, and understand their differences and the effectiveness of their deployment. Further, you will develop a critical understanding of digital culture and the ways in which digital technologies change the way we understand the world today. At the end of the module, you should be able to understand the use of basic story elements of interactive media, and to critique and synthesise the cultural impact of digital media.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22 to Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

Module Aims:

To introduce the basic concepts, methods and terminology necessary for critical analysis of digital media.

To discuss and analyse the ways in which digital technologies have impacted on audiovisual media and their capabilities for interactivity.

To introduce students to the centrality of story and storytelling in interactive and non-interactive media.

To introduce students to the fundamentals of visual literacy and develop their aesthetic judgement complementary to their acquisition of digital skills.

To introduce students to the concept of the "digital" as a way of thinking about the world.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content:

Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts, methods and terminology necessary for thinking about digital media and apply them in critical analysis.

Demonstrate knowledge of how we can tell a story through digital media by introducing and examining key principles; understand the functions of key aesthetic properties such as visual style, performance and sound design in relation to storytelling; and understand how storytelling applies to different digital media platforms.

Synthesise the learning of technical skills with the development of fine aesthetic judgement.

Academic and graduate skills:

Critical thinking and analysis skills.

Essay writing skills.

Reasoning, argument and communication skills.

Visual literacy skills.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 1,500 words		 N/A 30
Essay/coursework
Essay 2,500 words		 N/A 70

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 1,500 words		 N/A 30
Essay/coursework
Essay 2,500 words		 N/A 70

Module feedback

Students will receive written feedback on coursework assignments using a proforma identifying key requirements and marks awarded for each section of the assignment. This will be available within 20 working days of submission, except in exceptional circumstances which will be communicated to the students.

Indicative reading

Indicative only:

A Creator's Guide to Transmedia Storytelling: How to Captivate and Engage Audiences Across Multiple Platforms, Philips, McGraw-Hill, 2012.

Digital Culture: Understanding New Media, Glen Creeber and Royston Martin, Open University Press, 2008.

Intermediality and Storytelling, Marina Grishakova and Marie-Laure Ryan, de Gruyter, 2010.

The Language of New Media, Lev Manovich, MIT Press, 2001.

New Media: The Key Concepts, Nicholas Gane and David Beer, Berg, 2008.

New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader: Interrogating the Digital Revolution, Wendy Hui Kyong Chun, Thomas Keenan, Routledge, 2005.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.