course-details-portlet

FM3000

Research Design and Theoretical Approaches to Film and Media Studies

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Portfolio

About

About the course

Course content

The course is an introduction to research theories and methods for master's students in Film and Media Studies and Film and Video Production. Through engagement with scholarly traditions, epistemologies, and research methodologies in the humanities, students develop the means by which to design their own independent research project, in the form of an MA thesis. In addition to engaging with key traditions of research in Film and Media Studies, students also learn basic principles of research design and individual project development.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course the student has knowledge of:

  • scholarly and epistemological traditions in the humanities that are relevant to Film and Media Studies.
  • key research methodologies and research ethics within Film and Media Studies.
  • formal and genre-specific requirements for MA theses in Film and Media Studies.
  • the distinctiveness of humanities research in general and of the researcher’s role in particular.

Skills

Upon successful completion of the course the student knows how to:

  • explain different research traditions within Film and Media Studies.
  • formulate research questions and situate them within a relevant epistemological and methodological framework.
  • find, evaluate, and communicate research literature relevant to their own research interests.
  • utilize practical media skills in the communication of relevant disciplinary perspectives.
  • defend the choice of research design and methodology in their own MA project.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars.

Students are required to stay updated on information from the department or course director via Blackboard.

Compulsory assignments

  • Oral presentation

Further on evaluation

The final assessment consists of a portfolio that is graded with a letter grade. The contents of the portfolio include one practical assignment and two written assignments. The basis for these tasks is five written exercises (500-900 words) responding to different points in the course, and a mandatory oral presentation. Two of the five written exercises are selected for submission in the portfolio, while the oral presentation is developed into a media product. There will be opportunities to revise each of the tasks based on feedback from fellow students and/or the course instructor before the final submission of the portfolio in Inspera.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Film and Media Studies (MFMV)
Film and Videoproduction (MMPROD)

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Approx. 600 pages of set texts.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
KM3010 7.5 sp Autumn 2016
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Film Studies
  • Film and Video Production
  • Media Studies

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Art and Media Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Date Submission 2025-12-08 Time Submission 10:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Portfolio
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment