In MAS304 it is important to understand key concepts and theoretical positions pertaining to the major topics in Screen, Images, Ideas.

To assess your understanding of the readings and the lecture content, you will undertake weekly online multiple choice quizzes from week 3 to week 12 accessed via iLearn. These are worth 3% of your total mark each, 30% in total.

For each quiz, there will be 5 questions that you need to answer in 30 minutes. These questions are based on the readings and lecture content. Correct answers will be provided after the quiz is completed.

Examples will be given on week 2.

Students will be notified by a unit announcement on iLearn when the quizzes are available for completion.

Assessment criteria:

- Ability to recognise the correct answer(s) to quiz questions.

- Demonstrated understanding and comprehension of unit readings and lecture content.

Students are expected to attend tutorials and contribute to class discussions. You should demonstrate an ability to articulate and share ideas on concepts raised in the readings, films, and lectures. Participation also involves asking pertinent questions that stimulate further discussions. It is essential that you do the readings and take the quiz before attending the tutorial.

Details regarding this assessment will be discussed on week 1. General feedback for participation will be provided after the semester break.

Assessment criteria (for a full assessment rubric, please refer to iLearn):  

Reading and reflection: Evidence of engagement with the unit readings, demonstration of in-class reflection through participation in assignments and discussions.

Communication: Demonstration of clear communication skills, evidence of engagement with arguments of others.

Due: Weeks 2-12 Weighting: 20%

Students will prepare an 8-minute individual presentation where they link an assigned reading to the week’s screening. Each student is assigned a specific week, film and a reading for the presentation. The presentation is not a summary of the arguments made in the readings, but a reflection on how those ideas apply to the film of the week.

The aim of the presentation is to:

1. Analyse the screened film from a theoretical point of view.

2. Explicate the connections between the assigned film and reading.

3. Identify and use appropriate academic arguments in relation to screen media.

The presentation consists of:

1. 8 minutes of time. Pay extra attention to the timing of your presentation. You will be cut off after 8 minutes.

2. A visual aid - such as powerpoint - with which you present your findings to the class.

3. A structure. Do not try and say everything there is to say about your chosen case. Choose key ideas and structure your presentation around them. Remember to introduce the media example properly and provide concluding remarks.

Further details of this assessment will be discussed on week 1. Feedback will be provided on iLearn. 

Assessment criteria:

Reading and argument. Students will be assessed based on their ability to evaluate, synthesize and explicate the key ideas of the assigned reading.

Film analysis. Students will be assessed based on their ability to analyse the details and scope of the assigned film. Assessment will also focus on the application of the key ideas of the assigned reading to the film.

Clarity of the presentation. The presentation will be assessed based on the clarity of its delivery. This includes the structure of the presentation, legibility of powerpoint slides and other (audio-)visual support as well as keeping to the timeframe. Students must submit their powerpoint slides to their tutor in class or via email on the day of presentation. 

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the main debates relevant to a specific sub-region of film studies
• Develop an expanded historical knowledge of genre film and theory
• Develop skills in film-critical research and film-textual analysis

Students will write an academic essay of 1,500 words (not including footnotes or bibliography) that covers unit materials from week 1-12. Students will compare a film that has been discussed in class with a film of their choice. They will analyse the films with regards to a specific theme or concept introduced in the unit. In the essay, social, political, and/ or historical contexts must be discussed in relation to the formal elements of the film. Bibliography must include at least four academic references, and two of them must be from the unit readings.

The short essay is to be submitted electronically via Turnitin on ilearn.

Further details and examples will be discussed after the semester break. Feedback for this assessment will be provided on Turnitin. 

Assessment criteria: 

Reading and research: Evidence of critical engagement with key concepts, themes, and social, political, and historical contexts introduced in the unit. Ability to identify key concepts in the readings and apply those concepts to the chosen film. Evidence of independent research outside the unit readings.

Argument and analysis: Ability to formulate a clear and specific thesis. Ability to interpret ideas and support them with examples from specific scenes in the films. Ability to relate formal elements of the film and the larger contexts.

Writing and structure: Logical and coherent structure; clarity of expression; appropriate referencing; length.