Issue 16 Autumn 2012 - Brunel University

More documents

Recommendations

Info

eseArCH NeWs :: eXPRess MAGAZINe 26 “The project focuses on how postcolonial, diasporic audiences consider film to have shaped their ideas and values about community.” “I came into the world with a beautiful wound”, by Jayne Wilton “The literary essay is a strange mode. It’s not like an academic, critical essay, nor is it purely entertainment – it’s somewhere in between.” Collaboration with the British Film Institute explores how film shapes culture and community Dr Sarita Malik, from Brunel’s School of Social Sciences, is collaborating with the British Film Institute (BFI) to explore the ways in which film shapes audiences’ ideas and values about ‘community’. Dr Malik’s project, entitled ‘Diasporic Film in Communities’ and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, examines the relationship between screen culture, stakeholders and communities, and seeks to better understand the concept of community in the modern, multicultural world. It focuses on how postcolonial, diasporic audiences – consisting of people belonging to one culture which has been dispersed from an original location – consider film to have shaped their ideas and values about community. Events so far have involved African-Caribbean, South Asian and Chinese audiences and have included film screenings, Q&A sessions with directors and screenwriters, and cultural celebrations such as a martial arts workshop and calypso singing. Audiences and community partners have discussed screen culture and how it shapes their values: for example, the Chinese group described the way in which particular films build up their sense of pride in ‘being Chinese’. Groups also expressed interest in the significance of how their culture or community is represented in film, and in the draw of film itself as a medium that mobilises communities. Dr Malik completed her PhD at the BFI, examining the history of black and Asian representation on British television. She said: “I’m really thrilled to be working with the BFI again. The Institute is central to how we develop cultural knowledge about our visual history – not just as researchers, but also as a society.” Will Self re-imagines the literary essay for the digital age Brunel’s professor of Contemporary Thought Will Self has developed a new form of literary essay re-imagined for the digital age. “Kafka’s Wound”: A Digital Literary Essay is an examination of Franz Kafka’s work through the lens of one of his stories, A Country Doctor (1919), and in particular through the aperture of the wound described in the story. The project, commissioned by the London Review of Books, brought together a team of web developers, editors, researchers, academics and artists, led by Self. They explored the possibilities offered by digital media to fashion a new kind of literary essay, interspersed with music, animation, film and text inspired by Kafka’s story and to document the creative process. “The literary essay is a strange mode,” explained Self. “It’s not like an academic, critical essay, nor is it purely entertainment – it’s somewhere in between. We had just twelve weeks for the project, so we invited people along and they pitched to be involved.” A host of Brunel staff and students were among over 70 contributors to the essay, which includes readings by Professor Johannes Birringer, a game designed by Professor Tanya Krzywinska, and art created by the School of Engineering and Design’s Professor Akram Khan and artist-in-residence Jayne Wilton. Self described the result as “a collectivisation, rather than a collaboration. The standard of work produced at Brunel was very high.” The essay is available online and through smartphone, tablet and connected TV, and will be exhibited at The Space, a new digital arts platform developed by the Arts Council in partnership with the BBC.
international Pathways and Language Centre: what’s on this term? The International pathways and Language Centre (IpLC) provides Academic English support for Brunel students whose first language is not English, as well as Modern Foreign Language tuition for students and staff. The International Admissions team recommends applicants to the IPLC if they have yet to meet the English language requirement for their course. Students are introduced to British academic culture as well as improving their knowledge of English for Academic Purposes, through the Pre-sessional English or English@Brunel programmes, or the International Foundation/Pre-Master’s in Engineering. Courses last from six to 50 weeks, and students can then continue to develop their language skills via the In-sessional English programme which runs throughout term-time. During the last academic year, 962 students attended In-sessional English courses and more than 1,000 students benefited from one-to-one academic consultation sessions. In-sessional English In-sessional Programme Leader David Jones and his team provide academic English support for all students whose first language is not English. “The most important classes are academic writing in term one and dissertation writing in term two,” said David. “We are here to help students bridge the gap between being able to write a 300 word IELTS essay and a 3,000 word academic essay.” David also organises specific classes tailored to the needs of particular courses and Schools, as well as one-to-one sessions where students meet with a teacher for individual advice on the English in their written assignments and job applications. Both these services are provided free of charge. The following In-sessional classes and courses are on offer in the Autumn term: Academic Writing; Academic Speaking and Listening Skills; Academic Grammar with Vocabulary; Professional English; Academic English for Research Students; and Pronunciation and Social Conversation. Booking for In-sessional English courses opens during the week of 1 october and students can enrol online at www.brunel. ac.uk/international/currentstudents/insessional-english Modern Foreign Languages The IPLC also offers Foreign Language programmes for Brunel staff and students, which provide useful transferrable skills and open doors to new cultures. Karin Hayes, Head of Modern Foreign Languages, and her team offer an extensive Modern Foreign Languages programme, with classes taught by qualified, native speakers. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a Certificate of Achievement. Registered Brunel students can attend these classes free of charge, and there are two free staff places on each course. Once free places have been allocated, other staff applicants will be offered a discount on the course fees. The following courses are available in Terms 1 and 2: Modern Standard Arabic; French; German; Italian; Japanese; Mandarin; Portuguese; Russian; and Spanish. A taster course in Polish will run in Term 2. Booking for foreign language courses is now open at www.brunel.ac.uk/ international/foreignlanguages Classes start on 8 october 2012. FeATUre :: eXPRess MAGAZINe 27 A British Council inspection of the IpLC in February 2012 recognised eight areas of strength at the Centre, including teaching, course design and quality assurance.
Page 1 and 2: AUTUMN 2012 :: Issue 16 Made in Bru
Page 3 and 4: NSS 2012: Brunel Students’ Union
Page 5 and 6: Torch Relay brings crowds to campus
Page 7 and 8: What’s on Highlights for the Autu
Page 9 and 10: Graduation 2012 The 2012 Graduation
Page 11 and 12: MAiN FeATUre :: LATesT NeWs :: eXPR
Page 13 and 14: LATesT NeWs :: eXPRess MAGAZINe Str
Page 15 and 16: Photo Feature: eastern Gateway Buil
Page 17 and 18: Hard rock band Terminal Gods, led b
Page 19 and 20: …the most detailed designs ever m
Page 21 and 22: the designers and builders. It is v
Page 23 and 24: starters and Leavers Express says g
Page 25: “The computer itself becomes the

Issue 16 Autumn 2012 - Brunel University

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?