Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Duncan McLean
By appointment
Nicole Anderson
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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:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Participation | 15% | Ongoing |
Essay One | 20% | 5pm Friday 17th April |
Essay Two | 40% | 5pm Friday 22nd May |
Film Log | 25% | 5pm Friday 12th June |
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: 5pm Friday 17th April
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: 5pm Friday 22nd May
Weighting: 40%
A 2000 word essay.
For your major 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: 5pm Friday 12th June
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 10-13). 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 4 hour face-to-face teaching block each week. This block will usually consist of; 1 x 1 hour tutorial, 1 x 2 hour screening and 1 x 1 hour lecture. Attendance and participation in weekly tutorials will account for 15% of a student’s final grade.
The timetable for classes can be found on the MQC Student Portal at: http://student.mqc.edu.au/
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
The required readings for the course will be contained in the MAS205 Unit Reader which can be purchased from City Campus Reception on Level 2. Additional recommended readings can be found on the unit iLearn page. A copy of all the screened films will be made available through the Library.
Technology Used and Required
Computer, DVD player
Learning and Teaching Activities
In order to participate fully in weekly tutorial discussions students are expected to have watched the previous week’s film screening, listened to the previous week’s lecture, and read the required tutorial readings contained in the MAS205 Unit Reader, familiarising themselves with the key concepts and arguments raised.
ASSESSMENTS
You must complete all components of this course in order to pass the unit. Work submitted late without extension and/or proof of illness or serious misadventure (this does not include having to work) will incur a 5% penalty for each day after the due date.
Assignment Submissions
All written work must be submitted to Turnitin, via the link on iLearn. Please make sure your full name, student number and tutor's name appears on the first page of your document.Please record your lecturer's email address at the beginning of semester and questions about MAS205 should be directed to them. Students should ensure that they can receive emails sent to their MQ email address.
For detailed schedule including set and recommended readings please refer to iLearn.
Week 1: Introduction to MAS205, Film and its Contexts (no tutorial)
Sunset Blvd. (Billy Wilder: 1950: USA: 110mins)
Week 2: Film and Narrative (tutorials begin)
Fargo (Joel Coen: 1996: USA: 98mins)
Week 3: Film and Genre
Per un pugno di dollari (A Fistful of Dollars) (Sergio Leone: 1964: Italy: 99mins)
Week 4: Film and Sound
Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock: 1960: USA: 109mins)
Week 5: Australian Contexts
Samson & Delilah (Warwick Thornton: 2009: Australia: 100mins)
Week 6: Feminism on Film
Orlando (Sally Potter: 1992: UK: 94mins)
Week 7: Mental Illness in Movies
Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell: 2012: USA: 122mins)
Week 8: Modes of Documentary
The Thin Blue Line (Errol Morris: 1988: USA: 103mins)
Week 9: Diary Films and Autobiography
Tarnation (Jonathon Caouette: 2003: USA: 88mins)
Week 10: Critiquing Canons
Citizen Kane (Orson Welles: 1941: USA: 119mins)
Week 11: The French New Wave
À bout de souffle (Breathless) (Jean-Luc Godard: 1960: France: 90mins)
Week 12: Art Cinema
Blow-Up (Michelangelo Antonioni: 1966: UK: 111mins)
Week 13: Auteurs and Wong Kar Wai
Chung Hing sam lam (Chungking Express) (Wong Kar Wai: 1994: Hong Kong: 98mins)
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/
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.
Academic Honesty
The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
Further information on the academic honesty and schedule of penalties that will apply to breaches of the Academic Honesty Policy can be found at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
If you are unsure about how to incorporate scholarly sources into your own work, please speak to your Lecturer or the Student Services team well in advance of your assessment.
Grades
Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie
University Grading Policy which is available at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
For further information, please refer to page 71 of the 2013 Calendar of Governance, Legislation and Rules- Undergraduate Rules at
http://www.universitycouncil.mq.edu.au/pdfs/2013-Undergraduate_rules.pdf
Grade Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing
If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.
http://www.city.mq.edu.au/reviews-appeals.html
Special Consideration Policy
The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A special consideration policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
The University defines serious and unavoidable disruption to studies as resulting from an event or set of circumstances that:
A Special Consideration application is deemed to be valid if all the following criteria have been satisfied:
Unacceptable grounds for Special Consideration
The University has determined that some circumstances are not acceptable grounds for claiming Special Consideration. These grounds include, but are not limited, to:
Acute Problems
The University defines acute problems as those involving fewer than three (3) consecutive days within a study period. In these cases, students should not apply for special consideration via ask.mq.edu.au, but contact their Unit Convenor within 5 working days of the assessment due date so that a local solution may be discussed, except where the disruption affects completion of a final examination. (If a final examination is affected, the student should submit a special consideration application via ask.mq.edu.au.)
Prior Conditions Conditions existing prior to commencing a unit of study are not grounds for Special Consideration, except in the event of unavoidable deterioration of the condition. The student is responsible for managing their workload in light of any known or anticipated problems. Students with a pre-existing disability/ chronic health condition may contact the Disability Service for information on available support.
In submitting a request for Special Consideration, the student is acknowledging that they may be required to undertake additional work and agreeing to hold themselves available so that they can complete any extra work as required. The time and date, deadline or format of any required extra assessable work as a result of an application for Special Consideration is not negotiable.
Attendance
All Students are required to attend at least 80% of the scheduled course contact hours each Session. Additionally MQC monitors the course progress of international students to ensure that the student complies with the conditions of their visa relating to attendance.
This minimum level of attendance includes all lectures and tutorials. Tutorial attendance will be recorded weekly. If any scheduled class falls on a public holiday this will be rescheduled as advised by your Lecturer. Attendance at any mid-Session or in-class test is compulsory unless otherwise stated.
Unavoidable non-attendance due to illness or circumstances beyond your control must be supported by appropriate documentation to be considered for a supplementary test. Other non-attendance will obtain zero for the test. You should refer to the section below on Special Consideration for more details about this.
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.
At any time students (or groups of students) can book our Student Advising rooms on Level 6 by emailing info@city.mq.edu.au with a day and time and nominated contact person. There are additional student study spaces available on Level 1.
Macquarie University Campus Wellbeing also has a presence on the City Campus each week. If you would like to make an appointment, please email info@city.mq.edu.au or visit their website at: http://www.campuslife.mq.edu.au/campuswellbeing
UNIWISE provides:
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.
Students must use their Macquarie University email addresses to communicate with staff as it is University policy that the University issued email account is used for official University communication.
Students are expected to act responsibly when utilising Macquarie City Campus IT facilities. The following regulations apply to the use of computing facilities and online services:
Non-compliance with these conditions may result in disciplinary action without further notice.
If you would like to borrow headphones for use in the Macquarie City Campus computer labs (210, 307, 311, 608) at any point, please ask at Level 2 Reception. You will be required to provide your MQC Student ID card. This will be held as a deposit while using the equipment.
For assistance in the computer labs, please see a Lab Demonstrator (usually they can be found in Lab 311, otherwise ask at Level 2 Reception).
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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: