Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Elaine Laforteza elaine.laforteza@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites 12cp
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description What do we mean by 'being Australian'? In Australia, film and television are used by the creative industries and viewing public to create, share, critique and sustain ideas of identity and space, and to mediate associated cultural concerns. This unit focuses on constructions of 'Australianness' drawn from these Australian contexts, using cultural-critical frameworks to explore the production and consumption of Australian film and television locally and globally. In addition, by canvassing themes or representation, genre, style, policy, history and industrial practice, this unit explores the trajectories and texts of Australian film and television as well as the contemporary preoccupations of both. The production of identity, Indigeneity, gender, sexuality, race, religion and politics from an Australian perspective is explored through a number of Australian feature films, documentaries and television programs. These are filtered through critical perspectives from across the broad range of Cultural Studies to interrogate how 'being Australian' is performed as a complex phenomenon.

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:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Surveys	5%	Week 2 & Week 11
Tests	20%	Week 6 & Week 11
Journal	20%	Week 10
Presentation	20%	Ongoing
Final Essay	25%	Week 13
Participation	10%	Ongoing

Surveys

Due: Week 2 & Week 11
Weighting: 5%

Students complete answers to a series of reflective suggestions and factual questions at the beginning and the end of the semester. The first will be distributed in the week one lecture and will be due for submission in the first tutorial. This is used as an early assessment exercise to help identify students who may require extra help. The second survey will be completed as a take-home exercise and will respond to material from the second half of the course. This is a pass/fail exercise based on completion to a satisfactory level by the due dates.

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.

Tests

Due: Week 6 & Week 11
Weighting: 20%

Students will sit two in-class tests throughout the course of the semester.

Submission: The tests are administered in class only, in Week 6 and Week 11. Students must complete the test in person, or contact the lecturer if any disruption to attendance presents itself.

Criteria: The tests comprise a range of factual answers and short responses to critical propositions and observations. The first test covers material from Weeks 1-4 and the second test covers topics examined from Weeks 7-10. The test will be timed and students will not be able to confer in any way or consult notes, devices or materials of any kind.

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Journal

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%

Students will keep a written weekly journal documenting their own responses to the three major film or television texts screened in the lectures from weeks 7 through to (and including) week 9, using the criteria in iLearn and the weekly questions under each banner. Each entry is to be no longer than 250 words.

Submission: The full journal is due as a hard copy and as an online submission on Week 11, as one document submitted via the 'journal' link on the unit iLearn page, no later than 6pm.

Criteria: Your journal response will offer -

1) an understanding of the content/narrative

2) an understanding of important industrial and/or social contexts that shape the text

3) any noticeable textual/stylistic features and

4) an account of the relationship between the screening and the weekly themes from the lectures and the readings.

If you quote/cite specific material you must reference appropriately. All weekly screenings from weeks 7-9 must be included.

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Presentation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

This task is an opportunity for students to present their ideas to their peers. More information will be given in class.

Maximum time limit: 25 minutes

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Final Essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 25%

The essay will be based on one of the assigned essay questions. In their essay, students must draw on the critical and theoretical material discussed in the lectures and provided in readings for this unit.

Submission: Essays are to be submitted via the link provided on iLearn.

Extensions: The mid-semester essay and final essay must be submitted in class with the appropriate cover sheet. Extensions will only be granted if Special Consideration has been approved. Further, extensions will not be accepted unless Special Consideration and/or a prior extension has been requested and approved. Please give yourself enough time to ask for an extension (2 weeks minimum notice advisable). You will need to lodge your request for special consideration by logging into http://ask.mq.edu.au with your OneID.

Late submissions: Failing to submit an assignment at or before the due date is not permitted, unless medical documentation or unavoidable disruption has occurred. If this occurs, students will need to show their lecturer/tutor the appropriate documentation to justify late submission.

Criteria: The marking criteria for this assessment is as follows:

1. Extent to which the work/analysis is focused on the specific question, theme or topic.

2. Structure: statement of aims in introduction, organisation of material (logical order and flow of discussion), conclusion

3. Clarity of argument, quality of analysis and fluency in cultural studies terms

4. Identification of appropriate themes and concepts from the set texts and further reading and their usefulness in the analysis of examples

5. Use of appropriate evidence to support claims

6. Adequate and appropriate citation of sources

7. Presentation: format, spelling, syntax, grammar and expression

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

You are required to attend lectures and tutorials. You are also required to: actively initiate and engage class discussion and come prepared to class by doing the required readings.

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

3 hours face-to-face teaching per week. The majority of class time will have a short introductory lecture on the film, topics and theories for that week. The rest of the time will be spent viewing and critically analysing feature-length films and other class activities. The timetable for classes can be found on the MQC Student Portal at: http://student.mqc.edu.au/

It is an assessment requirement of this unit that students attend a minimum of 80% of classes.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

All texts will be posted on iLearn or posted as web-links when appropriate.

Technology Used and Required

Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g. internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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

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

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

1. Develop scholarly and thematic familiarity (contemporary and historical) of Cultural Studies with respect to Australian film and television.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

2. Analyse Australian screen texts and associated cultural practices (Australian spaces, media, scholarly work, social and historical phenomena).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
5. Review critically, analyse and synthesis findings in written and creative form, as well as facilitate and participate in discussions and presentations.
6. Communicate in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards in both written and spoken form.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation

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

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the politicised aspects of Australian life: how definitions of Australian culture and identity work with respect to on-screen representation, texts, technologies, industries and lived realities.
4. Identify the production of ‘Australianness’ through discourses of nationalism and social inclusion.
7. Identify issues specific to Cultural Studies practice including ethical relations to others, social justice and equity, and the appreciation of diversity.

Assessment tasks

Surveys
Tests
Journal
Presentation
Final Essay
Participation