EUST 2114 - European Film Movements

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course gives an overview of the principal periods and movements in European Cinema from the 1910s to the 1990s. Topics to be studied include: Russian Formalism, German Expressionism, French Poetic Realism, Italian Neo-Realism, British Cinema of the 1950s, French Nouvelle Vague, Surrealism and European Art Cinema, and European Popular Cinema. These will be studied through background readings as well as by film analysis that focuses upon a significant film from each period.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code EUST 2114
    Course European Film Movements
    Coordinating Unit French Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Prerequisites 12 units of Level I Humanities/Social Sciences courses
    Incompatible EUST 2013 or EUST 3013
    Course Description This course gives an overview of the principal periods and movements in European Cinema from the 1910s to the 1990s. Topics to be studied include: Russian Formalism, German Expressionism, French Poetic Realism, Italian Neo-Realism, British Cinema of the 1950s, French Nouvelle Vague, Surrealism and European Art Cinema, and European Popular Cinema. These will be studied through background readings as well as by film analysis that focuses upon a significant film from each period.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Ben McCann

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On the completion of European Film Movements, students will be able to:

    1. situate ten key European films of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries within their industrial, economic, cultural and political contexts
    2. view and understand more complex and sophisticated European films
    3. analyse films and communicate information, ideas and arguments about them with more accuracy, coherence and sophistication, in both spoken and written modes, using a range of appropriate technologies and resources
    4. locate and evaluate a variety of sources to further their own understanding of European film culture
    5. organise and analyse information appropriate to the study of European film culture
    6. work both independently and in collaboration with others in the exploration, generation and presentation of ideas and information, and contribute productively and in a timely manner to group-based outcomes
    7. develop a commitment to the rigorous application of scholarly principles in the exploration of questions relating to the cultural productions of the European film community
    8. work independently to improve their knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultural productions of the European film community
    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4, 5, 6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 6, 7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7, 8
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 7, 8
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 7, 8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    European Film Movements does not require a textbook. Instead, a selection of readings will be made available to students to purchase in mid-July, before the start Semester 2. All films studied are available to borrow from the Barr Smith Library on DVD.
    Recommended Resources
    The course coordinator and tutors will advise students of useful readings throughout the semester that may be used to supplement their study.
    Online Learning
    The following will be available on MyUni:
    - course outline
    - lecture powerpoints
    - film clips and interviews
    - other documents, as required
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There will be three contact hours per week, plus a recommended 2-hour film screening. The one-hour lecture provides a general introduction to the week's topic(s) for study. The seminar of two hours will be devoted to tasks such as textual/scene analysis, individual or group presentations and class discussion.
    Workload

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

    3 hours of classes each week                                            3 hours
    6 hours of preparation/follow-up work, including reading  6 hours
    3 hours preparation for assignments and tests                 3 hours
    Average weekly workload                                                 12 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    For the detailed work schedule, see the Course Booklet (available on MyUni to enrolled students).
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students who do not meet the following requirement will be awarded a grade of Fail for the course:
    - a minimum of 75% attendance in all classes
    - submission of all forms of assessment during the semester
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Students will work together in pairs to create an interactive presentation to the rest of the class on a set of topics made available in week 1.
  • 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
    Summary of Assessment
    1. Film Journal                                                                 15% Due date: weekly (end of each seminar) 
    2. Seminar Presentation (Weeks 3-12)                           25%
    3. 1500 / 2000 word Essay                                             30% Due date: Friday Week 10
    4. 2 hour Examination (held during Examination Period) 30%
    TOTAL                                                                            100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The guidelines relating to presentation, submission and assessment of work are as follows:

    1. Presentation of Work
    All work handed in during the year should be clearly labelled with the student‘s name and class and also with the name of the staff member for whom it is intended. It should be written on alternate lines (double spaced and in a font no less than 12 point, if typed), for greater clarity and to allow ample room for correction. For essay work, attention should be given to the correct setting out of quotations and bibliographical material.

    2. Deadlines
    Students are formally notified of essay deadlines well in advance of the due date. Essays handed in after the due date will incur a penalty of 5% deduction per working day late, unless an extension has been granted. Essays submitted one week or more after the due date will not be marked. Extensions will only be granted on medical grounds (medical certificate required) or in documented cases of hardship. Extensions must be requested from the Course Coordinator in advance of the due date.
    Assessment Detail
    See the Course Booklet for a detailed presentation of the assessment procedures for European Film Movements.
    Submission
    STUDENTS MUST HAND IN THEIR WORK, IN OFFICE HOURS, TO THE SCHOOLOF HUMANITIES OFFICE ON LEVEL 7 OF THE NAPIER BUILDING (via the Assignment Box), BY MID-DAY ON THE DUE DATE TO ENSURE THAT THE DATE AND TIME OF SUBMISSION ARE STAMPED ON THE ASSIGNMENT
    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.

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    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.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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