Students

CUL 121 – Seeing Culture: Vision, Visuality and The Senses

2014 – MQC3 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Elaine Laforteza
Anthony Lambert
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Visual culture brings together a range of theories, practices and texts that explore the relationship between vision, visuality and the way people act in their everyday lives. This unit introduces students to a variety of critical concepts which can be used in the analysis of visual texts. Exploring a range of imagery and media, including film, television, photography and Information Technology, we look at the ways visual culture shapes (and is shaped by) our social worlds, our bodies and identities. In particular we focus on relationships between the visual and normalising practices, contemporary politics, bodies and technologies. Within these relationships we explore the (re)production, performance and use of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, fatness and disability. Further to this we explore notions of genre, discourse, power and textuality through the application and testing of methods of visual analysis. Finally we place the visual within the contexts of embodiment, the human sensorium and the everyday.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Memorize basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

General Assessment Information

Attendance 

CUL 121 requires that students must attend every weekly tutorial and weekly lecture. In addition to the formal lectures there are several weeks in which full length films or television programs are screened. Attendance at lectures is strongly advised as lectures and screenings actively supplement the material covered in readings and provide the basis for tutorial activities and essay questions. Lecture slides are available on iLearn after the lecture is delivered.

 

Examination(s) 

There is no examination for CUL121. Essay 2 (final essay) is in lieu of an examination.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Attendance 0% Ongoing
Film Responses 10% Ongoing
Tutorial Presentation 20% Weeks 12 & 13
Essay 1 30% Week 7
Essay 2 (final essay) 40% Week 11

Attendance

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 0%

It is a requirement of this unit that students must attend a minimum of 80% of their classes. Failure to do so will result in their final essay not being marked.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorize basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Film Responses

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Instructions: Write up to one A4 page about how the film relates to the topic for the week/readings. Specific questions for each film are available on iLearn.

This response is due after the film screening in class and must be submitted as a hard copy to your lecturer. You will be given time in the tutorial to complete this assessment task. Each response is worth 2.5%.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorize basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Tutorial Presentation

Due: Weeks 12 & 13
Weighting: 20%

Instructions: You will need to research a particular topic/theory/issue that has been discussed in this unit. Use the required and suggested readings, lectures, class discussion, and do further research. Based on this research, you will need to conduct a presentation that critically analyses and discusses your findings. Presentations should not go for longer than 20 minutes. More specific instructions will be disseminated in class.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorize basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Essay 1

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

Tips, guidelines and instructions can be accessed on iLearn.

Submission: via the two links on iLearn by 5 pm on the due date. Essays must be saved as: student name/CUL121/Essay 1. For example: Sam Rogers/CUL121/Essay 1.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Essay 2 (final essay)

Due: Week 11
Weighting: 40%

Tips, guidelines and instructions can be accessed on iLearn.

Submission: as a hard copy to your lecturer AND via the turnitin link on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Delivery and Resources

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

All relevant readings are available online or will be posted on iLearn.

Technology Used and Required

Use of the internet (especially familiarity with iLearn) is needed to keep up to date and access information relevant to CUL121.

Learning and Teaching Activities

For some weeks, a feature length film will be shown in lieu of a traditional lecture. Tutorials will enable students to discuss the film at length, as well as any relevant points relating to the lecture and the readings.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Film Responses
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorize basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Film Responses
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Film Responses
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 1
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 2 (final essay)

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Attendance
  • Tutorial Presentation
  • Essay 2 (final essay)