Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Duncan McLean
By appointment
Moderator
Jane Simon
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is an introduction to: 1) some of the main theoretical issues and debates that have defined film studies as an area of cultural interest; and 2) some of the key historical moments in classical Hollywood filmmaking and international filmmaking (from the 1940s through to more recent times). Lectures and tutorials, in conjunction with weekly film screenings, consider topics such as the codes, conventions, and aesthetics of film narrative; film genres; film styles; film canons; modes of storytelling; the relation between fiction film and documentary film (and their hybrids).
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Extensions: Extensions can be granted at the discretion of a tutor in the event that illness or serious misadventure significantly impedes a student's ability to submit work on time. A request for an extension should be made in advance of the assessment's due date. Please note that employment and assessments for other units are not grounds for an extension.
Late submissions: Work submitted late without extension and/or proof of illness or serious misadventure will incur a 5% penalty for each day after the due date.
You will need to lodge your request for special consideration by logging into http://ask.mq.edu.au with your OneID. Please review the Special Consideration Policy before applying.
There is no exam for MAS205
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Participation | 15% | Ongoing |
Essay One | 20% | 12th December 2014 |
Essay Two | 40% | 30th January 2015 |
Film log | 25% | 16th February 2015 |
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%
Tutorials are compulsory. Students must attend, be punctual for and actively participate in at least 80% of all lectures and tutorials to pass the unit. You must notify your tutor as soon as possible if you believe you may be absent at any stage and you should provide your tutor with evidence of a medical or personal emergency. You will be expected to participate in class discussions as much as possible and you must come prepared to every tutorial having:
a) closely read the required readings
b) attended the screening and lecture
Due: 12th December 2014
Weighting: 20%
1000 word essay.
Topics will be distributed in class and on iLearn.Your essay should demonstrate wide reading and in-depth critical analysis. You are expected to draw upon the weekly readings that relate to your chosen essay topic as well as find other relevant academic sources. You should base your research on academic journal articles and books.
Due: 30th January 2015
Weighting: 40%
A 2000 word essay.
For your final essay you must choose from one of the topics/questions distributed in class and posted on iLearn. Your essay should demonstrate wide reading and in-depth critical analysis. You are expected to draw upon the weekly readings that relate to your chosen essay topic as well as other relevant academic sources.
Due: 16th February 2015
Weighting: 25%
The film log takes the form of five brief (250 word entries). You need to write an entry for a film from each of the four modules (e.g. one entry on a film from Module: Key Terms Wk 1-4, one from a film shown in Module Two: Politics of Representation Wk 5-7, one from Module: Non-Fiction Wk 8-9 and one from Module: Canons & Auteurs Wk 10-12). The fifth entry can be on any film from throughout the unit, however none of the entries should be on a film discussed in your two essays.
Each entry should consider one or two issues, of your choosing, raised by the week’s readings in relation to the film. The entry should not recount the film or the reading but should offer a concise critical analysis.
Classes
The unit consists of a four hour face-to-face teaching block each week. This block will usually consist of; 1 x 1hr tutorial, 1 x 2hr screening and 1 x 1hr lecture. Attendance and participation in weekly tutorials will account for 15% of a student's final grade.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
The required readings for the unit will be contained in the MAS205 Unit Reader which can be purchased from City Campus Reception on Level 2. Additional recommended readings will be posted on the unit iLearn page. A copy of all screened films will be made available in the library.
Technology Used and Required
Computer (for online submission of assessments), DVD player
Learning and Teaching Activities
In order to participate fully in weekly tutorial discussions and exercises students are expected to have watched the previous week's film, listened to the accompanying lecture, and read the required tutorial readings contained in the MAS205 Unit Reader, familiarising themselves with the key concepts and arguments raised.
For detailed schedule of screening and readings please refer to iLearn.
Week 1
Screening: The Thin Blue Line (Errol Morris: 1988: US: 103mins)
Lecture: Modes of Documentary
Week 2
Screening: Roger & Me (Michael Moore: 1989: US: 91mins)
Lecture: Subjectivity and Authorship in Documentary
Week 3
Screening: Gilda (Charles Vidor: 1946: US: 110mins)
Lecture: The Hollywood Studio System
Week 4
Screening: The Maltese Falcon (John Huston: 1941: US: 100mins)
Lecture: Classical Hollywood Narrative and Style
Week 5
Screening: The Searchers (John Ford: 1956: US: 119mins)
Lecture: Genre in Classical Hollywood
Week 6
Screening: Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock: 1960: US: 109mins)
Lecture: Film and Sound
Week 7
Screening: Breathless (A bout de souffle) (Jean-Luc Godard: 1960: France: 90mins)
Lecture: The French New Wave
Week 8
Screening: 8 1/2 (Federico Fellini: 1963: Italy: 138mins)
Lecture: Art Cinema
Week 9
Screening: Chungking Express (Wong Kar Wai: 1994: Hong Kong: 98mins)
Lecture: Auteurism and Wong Kar Wai
Week 10
Screening: Citizen Kane (Orson Welles: 1941: US: 119mins)
Lecture: Critiquing Canons
Week 11
Screening: Samson & Delilah (Warwick Thornton: 2009: Australia: 101mins)
Lecture: Representations of Aboriginality in Australian Cinema
Week 12
Screening: Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell: 2012: US: 122mins)
Lecture: Mental Illness in the Movies
Week 13
Screening: Orlando (Sally Potter: 1992: UK: 94mins)
Lecture: Feminism on Film
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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