Introduction to Cinema Studies

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

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CICU10001 Introduction to Cinema Studies; 107-132 Introduction to Cinema Studies

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/

This subject provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the study of film language and theory. It is organised around these two separate but related areas. The film language component covers two interrelated topics that are essential for an understanding of the cinema; film aesthetics and film history. The subject begins with the early cinema and progresses through to an analysis of contemporary Holywood. Key topics of narrative, editing, sound, mise-en-scene, cinematography and the studio system are studied in this historical context. The film theory component of the subject presents a study of the key theories, including: genre theory, auteurism, the classic text, gender, psychoanalysis, entertainment and new media theory, that have informed film aesthetics and the history of the cinema.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• an understanding of the important role that film and screen media have performed for over a century and apply critical and analytical skills to examine how screen culture changes as a result of changing social and cultural contexts;
• an understanding of the fundamental aspects of film form, including key techniques of film style and narration;
• the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of oral and written formats and utilise research practices specific to Screen Studies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
• a comprehension of key concepts in the history of cinema and the significance of social, national, stylistic and aesthetic movements that inform and explicate that history;
• consolidated knowledge of approaches to audio-visual literacy and an understanding of interdisciplinary methodologies that may be applied to evaluate screen media.

A quiz of 1000 words 20% (done during semester), a research report of 1000 words 30% (due during the semester), an essay of 2000 words 40% (due in the examination period) and tutorial attendance 10%. This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% 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.

A subject reader will be available.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;
• possess effective written communication skills;
• have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.