FILM 1001 - French Cinema: History, Genre and Style

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

This course will introduce, examine and analyse key French films released over the past hundred years. It will introduce each film's social and cultural context, and explore their visual and thematic richness. It will also identify the industrial, economic and political backdrops against which the films were produced, and examine the role cinema was playing at several crucial moments in French society (such as the 1930s, the post-war era, and the 21st century). Building on skills developed in 'Introduction to Film Studies' (ENGL 1105) around issues of genre, history, visual style, editing, gender and sound, this course will apply various methodological frameworks (gender, star studies, audience) to answer the question 'What is so French about French cinema?'. Class discussions will focus on the set of cinematic issues raised by each film, but we shall also concentrate on emerging themes that are common to all. Moreover, we will use each film as a tool for (a) analysing cinema as an art form, (b) seeing what is distinctly 'French' about the film in terms of narrative, form and aesthetics, and (c) highlighting the wider changes in French society as explored in the films.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code FILM 1001
    Course French Cinema: History, Genre and Style
    Coordinating Unit School of Humanities
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description This course will introduce, examine and analyse key French films released over the past hundred years. It will introduce each film's social and cultural context, and explore their visual and thematic richness. It will also identify the industrial, economic and political backdrops against which the films were produced, and examine the role cinema was playing at several crucial moments in French society (such as the 1930s, the post-war era, and the 21st century). Building on skills developed in 'Introduction to Film Studies' (ENGL 1105) around issues of genre, history, visual style, editing, gender and sound, this course will apply various methodological frameworks (gender, star studies, audience) to answer the question 'What is so French about French cinema?'.

    Class discussions will focus on the set of cinematic issues raised by each film, but we shall also concentrate on emerging themes that are common to all. Moreover, we will use each film as a tool for (a) analysing cinema as an art form, (b) seeing what is distinctly 'French' about the film in terms of narrative, form and aesthetics, and (c) highlighting the wider changes in French society as explored in the films.
    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 successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Analyse a range of French films and communicate ideas about them with accuracy and sophistication.
    2. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of key concepts, theories and critical approaches to the study of film.
    3. Explain how the film industry has changed over time.
    4. Utilise a broadly interdisciplinary approach to an understanding of film and its role in society.
    5. Read and interpret film criticism and apply it within an academic argument.
    6. Develop logical and coherent arguments based on evidence, and engage in critical debate.
    7. 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, 3, 5, 6
    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
    1, 2, 4, 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
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    6, 7
    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
    2, 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, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    FILMS TO BE STUDIED: to be confirmed in January 2019
    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
    1.     French Cinema: A Student’s Guide (Phil Powrie & Keith Reader)

    2.     The Cinema of France (ed. Phil Powrie)

    3.     French Cinema: From Its Beginnings to the Present (Rémi Fournier Lanzoni)


    Online Learning
    This course will use MyUni, Echo360 and other resources to be announced.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

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


    3 hours of classes per week                                    36 hours per semester

    6 hours assignment preparation per week                72 hours per semester

    4 hours reading per week                                       48 hours per semester

    TOTAL WORKLOAD
    156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Classes will comprise a mixture of screenings, mini-lectures, small group activities and writing workshops. 
    For the detailed work schedule, see the Course Booklet (available on MyUni to enrolled students).
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students are expected to read the texts set for the given weeks in advance and prepare their answers to any set questions, as required.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    n/a
  • 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
    ASSESSMENT TASK                      TASK TYPE              WEIGHTING                  COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

    Online quizzes x 4                       Summative              20%                             1, 2, 7


    Research portfolio                       Formative and          20%                             1, 2, 3, 7
                                                     summative


    1500 word essay                         Formative and          40%                             1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
                                                     summative


    Sequence analysis                       Formative and          20%                             1, 2, 7
                                                     summative
    Assessment Detail
    1. Online quizzes     
    Students will complete 4 online quizzes each semester on 4 chosen topics in the course (c. 1000 words)
    20%

    2. Research portfolio
    Students will develop a portfolio of bibliographic material, images and stills, and critical analysis on 4 chosen films in the course (c. 1200 words)
    20%

    3. Essay
    Students will write a 1500-word essay on a specific topic in the course          
    40%

    4. Sequence analysis
    Students will analyse a 2-minute sequence from a film in the course (c. 800 words)
    20%



    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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