COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA in Film Studies at Sussex provides students with a comprehensive understanding of cinema through critical and practical engagement. Core modules include a year-long dissertation that allows students to pursue in-depth research into a specific area of film studies, supported by small-group supervision and independent study. In the autumn term, students study Film Analysis: Theories and Methods, which equips them with essential analytical skills and introduces key approaches to understanding film as an art form, cultural product, and social phenomenon. Alongside core modules, students can choose from a range of optional courses designed to broaden their knowledge and tailor their learning to their interests. Options offered in the autumn term include Film Festival Studies, which explores the cultural and industrial significance of festivals, and Gender and Representation, which examines the portrayal of identity and power in cinema. In the spring term, students can take Cinema Goes to Work, studying the representation of labor and industry in film, or Cinematic Bodies, which investigates the depiction of the human body across genres and contexts. The course emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and contextual understanding, preparing graduates for careers in film analysis, media industries, or further academic study while fostering the ability to engage thoughtfully with cinema’s cultural, social, and political dimensions.