FILM 1005 - Introduction to Film Studies

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Film is one of the most important, pervasive and influential cultural forms of our time. You probably already know a lot about movies from watching them for entertainment, but what if you could enrich your experience? You will learn to analyse, research and discuss feature films from a range of periods, including both historically important and recent films so you will learn about the development of film over time. You will also study films from a range of countries and cultures, which will encourage you to develop cross-cultural awareness. The course is in three modules. In the first, you will learn about film techniques, including visual, sound, and editing techniques. In the second, you will study four films from a key director in depth, and in the third, you will explore a key genre. This course is transformative: it has the capacity to permanently enhance your understanding of film and the media you encounter every day.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code FILM 1005
    Course Introduction to Film Studies
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ENGL 1105
    Assessment Graded discussion boards, Essay, Take home exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Julian Murphet

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. demonstrate an understanding of key terms in film studies and apply key concepts
    2. analyse a range of films
    3. read and interpret film criticism and apply it to academic argument and discussion
    4. write logical and coherent analytic arguments based on film analysis and appropriate research
    5. use relevant technologies to complete assessments (e.g. for research)
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3,4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2,3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Provisional

    Moonlight (Barry Jenkins 2016)
    The Third Man (Carol Reed 1949)
    Battleship Potemkin (Sergei Eisenstein 1925)
    Breathless (Jean Luc Godard 1960)
    Shadow of a Doubt (Alfred Hitchcock 1943)
    Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock 1954)
    Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock 1960)
    The Birds (Alfred Hitcock 1963)
    Ghost in the Shell (Mamoru Oshii 1995)
    Under the Skin (Jonathan Glazer 2013)
    Children of Men (Alfonso Cuaron 2006)
    Upstream Color (Shane Carruth, 2013)

    Readings will be supplied through Barr Smith Library and MyUni.
    Online Learning
    This course will make active use of MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures and tutorials
    Workload

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

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

    2 x 1-hour lecture per week 24 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary


    Week Lecture Tutorial Film
    1 Introduction Introduction Moonlight
    (Barry Jenkins 2016)
    2 Moonlight Moonlight The Third Man
    (Carol Reed 1949)
    3 The Third Man
    (Carol Reed 1949)
    The Third Man
    (Carol Reed 1949)
    Battleship Potemkin
    (Sergei Eisenstein 1925)
    4 Battleship Potemkin
    (Sergei Eisenstein 1925)
    Battleship Potemkin
    (Sergei Eisenstein 1925)
    Breathless
    (Jean Luc Godard 1960)
    5 Breathless
    (Jean Luc Godard 1960)
    Breathless
    (Jean Luc Godard 1960)
    Shadow of a Doubt
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1943)
    6 Shadow of a Doubt
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1943)
    Shadow of a Doubt
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1943)
    Rear Window
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1954)
    7 Rear Window
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1954)
    Rear Window
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1954)
    Psycho
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1960)
    8 Psycho
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1960)
    Psycho
    (Alfred Hitchcock 1960)
    Ghost in the Shell
    (Mamoru Oshii 1995)
    9 Ghost in the Shell
    (Mamoru Oshii 1995)
    Ghost in the Shell
    (Mamoru Oshii 1995)
    Under the Skin
    (Jonathan Glazer 2013)
    10 Under the Skin
    (Jonathan Glazer 2013)
    Under the Skin
    (Jonathan Glazer 2013)
    Children of Men
    (Alfonso Cuaron 2006)
    11 Children of Men
    (Alfonso Cuaron 2006)
    Children of Men
    (Alfonso Cuaron 2006)


  • 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
    Task Type Weighting Course Learning Outcomes
    Quiz Summative and formative 10% 1,2,3,4,5
    Essay: auteur Summative and formative 45% 1,2,3,4,5
    Essay: genre Summative 45% 1,2,3,4,5
    Assessment Detail
    Quiz: students will complete a quiz covering concepts and films from the early part of the course. This will provide formative and summative feedback by HECS census date and by the mid-point of the course. 

    Essay: auteur: students will complete an analytic, argumentative, reserach essay on films and concepts from the middle (auteur/director) module. Feedback will be formative and summative. 

    Essay: genre: students will complete an analytic, argumentative essay under take-home exam conditions on films and ocnepts from the last course module (genre). Feedback will be summative.
    Submission
    Submission will be via 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
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