This module is intended to sharpen student's analytical skills and critical awareness of animation within culture and society – specifically encouraging learners to appreciate how audiences read animation and to effectively position their own practice and enquiry within critical frameworks.

Students will engage in a lecture programme delivered by academic staff, complimented by guest speakers/contributors - offering opportunities for Q+A with industry partners and specialists in the field of animation production and criticism. A scheduled weekly lecture will alternate University staff and outside experts to provide vital insight into established and emerging aspects of animation as a cultural artifact.

Students will be introduced to key topics of animation and challenged to deepen critical insights. The key topics might change from year to year, to allow response to developments within the field, but they are likely to include subjects such as
• Anthropomorphism
• Uncanny Valley
• Representation
• Intellectual Property within Animation and beyond
• Stake Holders and Audiences

There will also be sessions that specifically consider materials published on animation, as well as study skills.

For their self-directed learning students will be expected to research broadly into the considered topics and to identify key secondary sources (whether that be critical texts, online resources, forums, etc.) that align with both these topics and their own practice and outlook on animation. They will collate evidence of knowledge and understanding in a portfolio of responses, synthesising critical positions and sharing their points of view in class discussions.

Students will also be encouraged to participate in cross level discussions with BA Animation undergraduates - with opportunities to present knowledge as part of the broader Knowledge Exchange framework.

The module will culminate in the submission of a series of responses to topics and texts that detail, illustrate and critically evaluate, in either audio or written form. While students will have to respond to all briefed topics, they will have the choice to either treat all of them with equal weight or to specifically focus on one of them. So they could end up with 5 pieces of equal length, or 4 short pieces and one long one.

You will need to respond to five presented topics by doing independent critical research on each topic.

It is your choice of whether to weight each topic equally or select one of them for a more detailed investigation.

It is your choice whether to present your portfolio as a collection of audio clips or as a collection of written report pieces.

If you choose the audio option, each topic should be between 10 and 15 minutes for each student. If you choose to combine your response with another student (or a larger group), the length needs to be revised accordingly (for example, if two students have a discussion on the literature on this topic, it should be between 20 and 25 minutes; if there are five, it should be between 50 and 55 minutes). If you decide to weight one topic more than the others, please discuss the lengths with your tutor.

f you choose the written option, the total should come to 5000 words, so you have the choice to split this into 5 pieces of 1000 words, or to write 4 pieces of 500 words and 1 piece of 3000, or similar. Any one topic response should not be shorter than 500 words.

Submitted via ‘Turnitin’ (if standard written format and the appendix relating to the video), or as Audio File (see module handbook for specific delivery platform)

Alternating Lecturer programme comprising of topics delivered by academic staff and guest speakers – including Q+A opportunities and seminar discussions.

1-2-1 Tutorial scheduled (and by appointment)

Regular formative feedback via online digital forum

Guided independent study tasks to culminate podcast like student discussions (or written report)

Knowledge exchange – cross level discussion and debate

Engagement with industry and critical voices from the wider community

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and critical evaluation of methodologies and techniques, including Information Literacy, applicable to your own research or advanced scholarship and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses.

Enquiry

2. Demonstrate a critical awareness and evaluation of current animation culture and criticism using research, advanced scholarship, contemporary problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the discipline.

Analysis

3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding and knowledge of key examples animation culture and criticism which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.

Knowledge and Understanding

4. Demonstrate the independent learning ability required to advance your own knowledge and understanding of animation critique, and to develop new skills to a high level for continuing academic development.

Learning

Lecture Theatre
Animation Studios (2D, 3D, Stop Motion)
Blackboard + Teams (or equivalent VLE)
Digital forums
Face to face Tutorial and seminars meetings
Online Tutorial and seminar meetings
Staffordshire University Library Resources – including periodicals and E-journals.
University Study Skills support systems

Oliver, M.B., Raney, A.A. & Bryant, J. 2020; 2019; Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research, 4th edn, Routledge, Milton.

Furniss, M. 2017, Animation: the global history, Thames and Hudson, London.

Johnson, M. 2017, Ink and paint: the women of Walt Disney's animation, Disney Editions, Los Angeles.

Animation Studies online journal

Bailey, S. (2003) Academic Writing: A practical guide for students, Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.

Barzun, J. & Graff, H. F. (1992) The Modern Researcher, London: Harcourt & Brace.

Berry, R. (2000) The Research Project: How to Write It, London: Routledge

Marshell, L & Rowland, F (2004) A Guide to Learning Independently, London: OUP.