Reflection and Process III

The course is a programme course given in the fourth semester.

The course is part of the MFA Programme in Film, 120 credits (K2MAF).

Admission requires a Pass grade (G) on courses totaling at least 60 credits within the Master of Fine Arts Programme in Film (K2MAF).

This course empowers students to critically engage with their film practice and examine the role of film and art in society. Through the completion of an independent reflective essay, students contextualise their artistic exploration within broader societal and interdisciplinary frameworks. The essay not only documents their individual film practice but also situates it within the work of other filmmakers and contemporary artistic practices.

Emphasis is placed on addressing the conceptual, social, historical, methodological, ethical, and aesthetic dimensions of their work. The course fosters analytical skills while encouraging an autonomous approach to assessing complex artistic phenomena. Students are expected to critically reflect on their own work, engage with the practices of others, and contribute to the broader dialogue of film as an artistic and societal medium.

In the course, students develop the capacity to synthesise insights from theory and practice, assess the societal relevance of their work, and demonstrate the ability to contribute to knowledge formation while identifying opportunities for further inquiry.

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• indicate a broad understanding and knowledge of the chosen field of inquiry, situating their artistic exploration within the broader context of contemporary film practices and theories
• identify and address questions that emerge during the development of their artistic inquiry
• identify and discuss the artistic, social, methodological, aesthetic, and ethical dimensions pertinent to their artistic exploration

Competence and skills

• plan, structure, and complete an independent reflective essay exploring the role of film and art in society, both broadly and in relation to the completed film
• develop the capacity to engage in scholarly and artistic analysis, synthesise insights, and critically assess complex phenomena, issues, and situations with autonomy
• demonstrate through a reflective essay the ability to make a contribution to the formation of knowledge and to identify the need for further knowledge.

Judgement and approach

• critically evaluate and reflect on one’s inquiry and the resulting artistic work, situating it within relevant artistic and scholarly contexts
• assess the possibilities and limitations of one’s inquiry, its relevance, and the individual’s responsibility in planning and executing the inquiry
• critically and reflectively engage with the inquiries and practices of peers.

Teaching takes place in the form of lectures, seminars, workshops, supervision meetings, individual and/or group exercises and peer-to-peer feedback.

The language of instruction is English.

The learning outcomes will be examined through

• individual and/or group exercises
• oral and visual presentations
• written submissions
• completed reflective essay (6000-8000 words). 

Complementation of an examined student performance may be allowed. The possibility of complementation is assessed on an individual basis and decided by the examiner. Complementation is carried out through the supplementary assignments determined by the examiner and within a specified timeframe.

In case of absence, examination takes place through an equivalent written and/or visual report as agreed with the examiner.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Students are given the opportunity to evaluate the course anonymously at the end of the course.The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Costs for the student's individual projects are covered by the student.