Cinema and the City

Subject CICU30019 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 4.5
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites:

None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 106-300 Cinema and the City
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Angela Ndalianis, Assoc Prof Chris Healy

Contact

Chris Healy clhealy@unimelb.edu.au

Angela Ndalianis angelan@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides an introduction to a variety of ways in which cinema and city cultures have defined and articulated modern and postmodern culture. Students will be introduced to cinematic and other screen narratives of place and space, and they will evaluate how these spaces have given form both to dystopian and utopian visions of city life. Focusing on genres that include film noir and science fiction, the subject will examine how key tropes of these fictional worlds have imprinted thmselves on urbanscapes such as Disneyland, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Tokyo and Dubai.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

  • comprehend the ways in which the city has become centrally important for contemporary culture;
  • understand the key theoretical and methodological issues involved in the analysis of city cultures and their representations;
  • appreciate the distinct ways in which different cities have been represented and theorised in architecture, fiction and film.
Assessment: All students will be required to give a class presentation during one tutorial, which they will then submit as a 1500 word blog essay 40% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2500 words 60% (due at the end of semester). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

Readings will be available via the LMS.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • have developed social, ethical and cultural understanding of self and others;
  • have developed critical analysis and synthesis;
  • have developed effective written and oral communication;
  • have information management and information literacy;
  • have developed teamwork, flexibility and tolerance;
  • have developed time management and planning.
Notes: Students who have completed 106-022 City Cultures: Urban Stories are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is available to students enrolled in the BA prior to 2008 at either 2nd or 3rd year level and can be credited to a major in either Cinema or Cultural Studies.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: American Studies Major
Cinema Studies Major
Cultural Studies Major
Screen and Cultural Studies
Screen and Cultural Studies
Screen and Cultural Studies

Download PDF version.