Indigenous Photography, New Media, Film

Subject 107-409 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:	12.50
Level:	4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:	This subject is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment:	Contact Hours: A 2-hour film screening and a 2-hour seminar per week Total Time Commitment: 4 contact hours/week, 6 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.
Prerequisites:	Usually admission to a honours or postgraduate diploma in art history or cinema studies, or MA program in art history, art curatorship, cinema management or indigenous studies.
Corequisites:	None
Recommended Background Knowledge:	None
Non Allowed Subjects:	None
Core Participation Requirements:	For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry. It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview:	This subject enables students to examine the emerging fields of Indigenous photography, new media, film (including television) from a number of different perspectives. Aesthetic responses to the conventions of different forms of screen culture and photography will be considered in relation to an engagement with current theoretical frameworks drawn from existing critical theory. This aspect of the course is specifically designed to generate new critical responses to the material studied. A more practical perspective can focus on the realities of filmmaking and television production, which are explored through an examination of funding, access and policy issues. How are Indigenous film, television and new media fostered? What techniques and devices are employed in their promotion and distribution? How do the changing ideologies of arts industries reflect notions of indigeneity? Finally, the historical perspective will provide an understanding of the new ways in which Indigenous artists are responding to the vast amounts of photography and film existing in museums and archives.
Objectives:	Be able to recognise the work of specific artists and explain them in relation to their social and political context; Be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays; Be able to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographical indexes; Have developed their ability to think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written communication; Have developed their skills in verbal communication and oral presentation.
Assessment:	A 1000 word paper, based on in-class presentation 20% (due during the semester), and a 4000 word research essay 80% (due during the examination period).
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	be skilled in research; possess advanced skills of critical thinking and analysis; possess an ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly, economically and effectively; have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Arts (Honours)(Media and Communications) Master of Art Curatorship (Coursework and Minor Thesis) Master of Cinema Management Master of Global Media Communication Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communication)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Art History Art History Art History Cinema Studies Cinema Studies Cinema Studies Cultural Studies Cultural Studies Cultural Studies

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