Students
MMCC1005 – Introduction to the Cinema
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances, North Ryde
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Jane Simon
Contact via email
10HA 165K
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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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 filmmaking and the moving image (from the 1920s through to more recent times). The unit will 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); and contemporary moving image culture. |
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:
- ULO1: identify key debates, themes and concepts in the broad field of Film Studies
- ULO2: demonstrate an expansive historical knowledge of film theory.
- ULO3: distinguish between theoretical positions on film practices and texts.
- ULO4: analyse films according to themes, genres, form and cultural contexts.
- ULO5: identify and use appropriate articles in academic journals.
General Assessment Information
Please note that the University and the Faculty of Arts have launched a new assessment policy effective as of 1 July 2021. This new policy particularly affects LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS.
The Faculty policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, etc.
To be very clear:
- Unless you have applied for special consideration and had your application approved, for each day your assignment is late, 10 marks will be deducted. For example, if you submit your assignment 7 days late, 70 marks will be deducted, which means you will fail that assignment.
- If your assignment is more than 7 days late (including weekends), you will get 0 for your assignment.
These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.
If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quiz 1 and 2 | 25% | No | 23:00 29/08/2021; 23:00 24/10/2021 |
| Film Log | 35% | No | 23:00 10/09/2021 |
| Essay | 40% | No | 23:00 28/10/2021 |
Online Quiz 1 and 2
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 23:00 29/08/2021; 23:00 24/10/2021
Weighting: 25%
There are 2 online quizzes comprised of multiple choice and/or short answer questions relating to the key readings, films, and lecture content from the unit. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify key debates, themes and concepts in the broad field of Film Studies
- demonstrate an expansive historical knowledge of film theory.
- distinguish between theoretical positions on film practices and texts.
Film Log
Assessment Type 1: Log book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23:00 10/09/2021
Weighting: 35%
The film log takes the form of five entries. Students are required to write entries on five films and related readings. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify key debates, themes and concepts in the broad field of Film Studies
- demonstrate an expansive historical knowledge of film theory.
- distinguish between theoretical positions on film practices and texts.
- analyse films according to themes, genres, form and cultural contexts.
- identify and use appropriate articles in academic journals.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:00 28/10/2021
Weighting: 40%
This is an essay responding to a question about one or more of the film screenings assigned for the unit. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify key debates, themes and concepts in the broad field of Film Studies
- demonstrate an expansive historical knowledge of film theory.
- distinguish between theoretical positions on film practices and texts.
- analyse films according to themes, genres, form and cultural contexts.
- identify and use appropriate articles in academic journals.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
CLASSES
Please consult the MQ timetable for up to date timetabling of lectures and tutorials.
Tutorials:
Tutorials begin in Week One.
ATTENDANCE
This unit has a one hour lecture and a one hour tutorial every week. Each week lectures are recorded and available through iLearn. Each week you are expected to watch the required film available online through Kanopy or EduTV via the library website. Students are required to prepare for tutorials by having listened to the lecture, having viewed the film, having done the week’s readings and prepared questions and notes.
REQUIRED VIEWING
Each week there is a required film to view. These films are available online through Kanopy or EduTV via the library website. See iLearn for more details.
REQUIRED READING
Required readings are available online through the Leganto link on ilearn.
RECOMMENDED READING
There is a list of further recommended reading for each topic - please refer to iLearn.
TECHNOLOGIES USED AND REQUIRED
Lectures are recorded and available on iLearn. Details on readings, assessments and links to relevant material will be available on ilearn. Students are expected to regularly check iLearn and their MQ email addresses for announcements.
FEEDBACK
During the semester you will receive feedback in many forms. Sometimes this feedback will be verbal and informal and will come from your tutor such as during tutorials when you offer up ideas or questions. At times your tutor and lecturer will also offer more general feedback about the group's progress during tutorials. At other times feedback will be more formal, in the case of written feedback on your final essay or the posted correct responses to the questions in the online quiz.
You will also receive valuable feedback from your peers through the semester. This will take the form of written comments on the student forum on ilearn and through activities and discussion during tutorials.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Studying film
Week 2: Mise-en-scène
Week 3: Cinematography
Week 4: Editing
Week 5: Sound
Week 6: Narrative
Week 7: Star studies
Week 8: Genre
Week 9: Audience
Week 10: Documentary
Week 11: Animation
Week 12: No lecture or tutorial
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook