ENGL 1105 - Introduction to Film Studies

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

Film Studies provides an introduction to the analysis of narrative films. The course explores a range of aspects of film, including origins, techniques, industry, genre, narrative, and audience.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENGL 1105
    Course Introduction to Film Studies
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description Film Studies provides an introduction to the analysis of narrative films. The course explores a range of aspects of film, including origins, techniques, industry, genre, narrative, and audience.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Joy McEntee

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Explain key terms and concepts in film studies

    2. Analyse a range of significant films in relation to key questions in film studies

    3. Read and interpret criticism and apply it within an academic argument

    4. Locate and access primary and secondary sources relevant to the area of study

    5. Write logical and coherent arguments based on evidence, and engage in critical debate

    6. Use contemporary technologies relevant to the completion of assessment tasks





    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2,3,5,6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Provisional. 

    In Bruges 
    The Cabinet of Dr Caligari
    The Third Man
    Rear Window
    Chicago
    Breathless
    China Town

    Thelma and Louise
    Hunt for the Wilderpeople
    Moonlight

    Note that all films will be screened in the workshops. 

    Students will be expected to purchase a course reader from Image and Copy Centre, and other readings will be made available through MyUni and DRMC.

    Recommended Resources
    Richard Barsam. Looking at Movies.
    Timothy Corrigan. A Short Guide to Writing about Film
    Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White. The Film Experience
    Susan Hayward. Cinema Studies: the Key Concepts.

    Online Learning
    This course will use MyUni and other resources to be announced.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Workshops will comprise a mixture of screenings, short lectures and Echo360 ALP exercises with small group work. Students who need flexible learning will be supported by the provision of online resources, including exercises and workshop recordings, but note that copyright issues pertaining to film mean that some sections of the workshops will not be able to be recorded or disseminated electronically.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students will commit the equivalent of 156 hours per semester to study in this course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Provisional. Learning activities may include screenings, workshops, online activities, instructor-directed and student-directed research and assessment-for-learning tasks.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Quiz 600 words equiv Summative 10% CLO 1
    Image analysis 1000 words Formative and summative 30% CLO 1-6
    Essay 2000 words Formative and summative 60% CLO 1-6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students should refer to MyUni for assessment instructions and requirements. Other assessment related requirements are set out in the Department of English and Creative Writing Handbook.
    Assessment Detail
    Provisional.

    Quiz. 600 words equivalent. There will be a quiz before the HECS census date on material covered in the course to that date, including basic terms and concepts in film criticism. 10%

    Image analysis. 1500 words. Students will complete an image analysis assignment, critically analysing visual material from a film on the course. They will be expected to bring concepts from the course and from critical reading to bear on this assignment. It is anticipated that it will be due in week 8. 30%

    Essay. 2000 words. At the end of the semester, students will produce a critical essay on one of the films on the course (a film other than the one they chose for the image analysis), examining bringing insights from critical and theoretical reading to bear on their analysis. 60%
    Submission
    Instructions about assessment submission will be given through MyUni. 
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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