Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - April 2026).
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Cinema is not only entertainment; it is the art and culture of our time. Hollywood, as one of the dominant film producing industries, has frequently remade films from other film producing nations. Detailed analysis of some of these remake pairings can provide fascinating insights, into cultural difference and national identity but it can also tell us a great deal about film aesthetics. We’re surrounded by moving images; studying film will give you the tools to understand and analyse them.
What will we cover?
There’s a reason why film has become one of the defining art forms of our generation, and created so many iconic images in pop culture. This course will explore how film fits into history and culture, consider the relationship between film and society, and look at different styles of filmmaking. By examining a number of remake pairings we will explore film’s formal properties, and look at questions of style and technique, including cinematography, editing, mise en scene, music and sound.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Have a clearer idea of what is involved when studying film - Demonstrate familiarity with some of the formal properties of film - Discuss a range of key concepts in the study of film.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a taster: no previous background in film studies is expected. Anyone with an interest in film is welcome.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Opening talk and a variety of film clips; group discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
None. A notepad or device to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HF238 How to Read a Film: A Beginner's Guide to Cinema and HF324 Cultureplex Cine-Club, but also look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Dr. Paul Sutton is an independent film scholar who has taught Film Studies in UK higher education for over 25 years. His research covers psychoanalytic and film theory as well as Italian and French cinema and critical theory. He has published articles in journals such as Screen, French Studies and the Journal for Cultural Research. He is currently writing a psychoanalytic book on film spectatorship, Afterwardsness in Film, and has recently published work on television as a form of palliative care, and an assessment of the films of the Italian experimental filmmaker Ugo Nespolo.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/film-studies-taster181165Film studies tasterhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/f/hf212_hf058_hf234_hf308-square.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/vm/Film season/Courses/Taster courses/Courses/Short Courses/Courses/Short Courses/Humanities228511771548158013385180313411134171228511771580165313411<p>Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - April 2026).</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">Cinema is not only entertainment, it is the art and culture of our time. For anyone interested in history, narrative and images – and how to interpret them – film studies is the ideal course for constructing an argument or practical criticism. We’re surrounded by narratives and pictures; film studies will give you the tools to understand and analyse them. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>152629455Film studies taster1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/f/hf212_hf058_hf234_hf308-square_34.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF3091919Film studies taster191219Paul Suttonfilm-studies-taster/hf309-2526<p>Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - April 2026).</p>0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00<p>Cinema is not only entertainment; it is the art and culture of our time. Hollywood, as one of the dominant film producing industries, has frequently remade films from other film producing nations. Detailed analysis of some of these remake pairings can provide fascinating insights, into cultural difference and national identity but it can also tell us a great deal about film aesthetics. We’re surrounded by moving images; studying film will give you the tools to understand and analyse them.</p><p>Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - April 2026).</p><p>There’s a reason why film has become one of the defining art forms of our generation, and created so many iconic images in pop culture. This course will explore how film fits into history and culture, consider the relationship between film and society, and look at different styles of filmmaking. By examining a number of remake pairings we will explore film’s formal properties, and look at questions of style and technique, including cinematography, editing, mise en scene, music and sound.</p><p>- Have a clearer idea of what is involved when studying film<br/>- Demonstrate familiarity with some of the formal properties of film<br/>- Discuss a range of key concepts in the study of film.</p><p>This is a taster: no previous background in film studies is expected. Anyone with an interest in film is welcome.</p><p>Opening talk and a variety of film clips; group discussion.</p><p>None. A notepad or device to take notes.</p><p>HF238 How to Read a Film: A Beginner's Guide to Cinema and HF324 Cultureplex Cine-Club, but also look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual191912HF309NONEMon12/01/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:301 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlinePaul SuttonBeginnersAvailable courses2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00EveningJan 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Film studies tasterfilm-studies-taster/hf309-2526<p>Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - April 2026).</p>0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00<p>Cinema is not only entertainment; it is the art and culture of our time. Hollywood, as one of the dominant film producing industries, has frequently remade films from other film producing nations. Detailed analysis of some of these remake pairings can provide fascinating insights, into cultural difference and national identity but it can also tell us a great deal about film aesthetics. We’re surrounded by moving images; studying film will give you the tools to understand and analyse them.</p><p>Learn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (January - April 2026).</p><p>There’s a reason why film has become one of the defining art forms of our generation, and created so many iconic images in pop culture. This course will explore how film fits into history and culture, consider the relationship between film and society, and look at different styles of filmmaking. By examining a number of remake pairings we will explore film’s formal properties, and look at questions of style and technique, including cinematography, editing, mise en scene, music and sound.</p><p>- Have a clearer idea of what is involved when studying film<br/>- Demonstrate familiarity with some of the formal properties of film<br/>- Discuss a range of key concepts in the study of film.</p><p>This is a taster: no previous background in film studies is expected. Anyone with an interest in film is welcome.</p><p>Opening talk and a variety of film clips; group discussion.</p><p>None. A notepad or device to take notes.</p><p>HF238 How to Read a Film: A Beginner's Guide to Cinema and HF324 Cultureplex Cine-Club, but also look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
