Students

LIT 859 – Film and the Folktale Canon

2015 – S1 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Victoria Flanagan
victoria.flanagan@mq.edu.au
Robyn McCallum
robyn.mccallum@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MChildLit or MCrWrit or GradDipChildLit or GradDipCrWrit or MEChild or MA in (English Literature or Children's Literature or Creative Writing) or PGDipArts in Children's Literature
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines how the film industry has defined folktale for the twentieth century, especially its contents and structures. It explores the significances given to the 'universal' structural elements employed in film and television versions of folktale and their potential for ideological impact on culture, especially in the promotion of particular cultural formations and the containment of change (as in the shifting representations of limited female agency).

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:

  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in discussing and analysing film texts in particular, and folktale texts in general.
  • Attain a conceptual language with which to discuss film and folktale forms.
  • Gain an understanding of the relationship between folktale texts and the culture that produces them.
  • Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the extent to which film texts reflect, shape and attempt to intervene in cultural formations.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Short Film Report 30% 27/03/2015 No
Seminar Paper 30% 2 wks after seminar No
Final essay 40% 16/06/15 No

Short Film Report

Due: 27/03/2015
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

Using the Glossary of Film Terms which has been uploaded to this unit's iLearn site, write an analysis of one scene from either Snow White and the Huntsman or Blancanieves. You can choose any scene you like, but please clearly identify which scene it is at the beginning of your report. This analysis should be approximately 1000 words in length and should analyse the various cinematic techniques used to communicate significance/meaning in this particular scene.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Attain a conceptual language with which to discuss film and folktale forms.

Seminar Paper

Due: 2 wks after seminar
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

One seminar paper of approximately 2000 words, based on a seminar topic from weeks 5-11, due two weeks after the relevant seminar.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in discussing and analysing film texts in particular, and folktale texts in general.
  • Gain an understanding of the relationship between folktale texts and the culture that produces them.

Final essay

Due: 16/06/15
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

One major essay of approximately 3000 words, due June 16th. The topics are listed in the unit program, which is available to download from the LIT 859 iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in discussing and analysing film texts in particular, and folktale texts in general.
  • Gain an understanding of the relationship between folktale texts and the culture that produces them.
  • Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the extent to which film texts reflect, shape and attempt to intervene in cultural formations.

Delivery and Resources

SET TEXT

Zipes, Jack. The Great Fairy Tale Tradition: From Straparola and Basile to the Brothers Grimm (Norton Critical Edition), 2000.

 

WEEKLY READING/VIEWING

Each week, we will be screening a film (or films) in class. In addition to watching these films in class, you can also watch them in the Macquarie Library (a copy of each is available from Reserve) or rent them yourself from iTunes.

 

UNIT WEBPAGE AND 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.

Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

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

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in discussing and analysing film texts in particular, and folktale texts in general.
  • Attain a conceptual language with which to discuss film and folktale forms.
  • Gain an understanding of the relationship between folktale texts and the culture that produces them.
  • Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the extent to which film texts reflect, shape and attempt to intervene in cultural formations.

Assessment tasks

  • Short Film Report
  • Seminar Paper
  • Final essay

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in discussing and analysing film texts in particular, and folktale texts in general.
  • Gain an understanding of the relationship between folktale texts and the culture that produces them.
  • Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the extent to which film texts reflect, shape and attempt to intervene in cultural formations.

Assessment tasks

  • Short Film Report
  • Seminar Paper
  • Final essay

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • Final essay

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a conceptual language with which to discuss film and folktale forms.
  • Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the extent to which film texts reflect, shape and attempt to intervene in cultural formations.

Assessment tasks

  • Short Film Report
  • Seminar Paper
  • Final essay