Censorship: Film, Art and Media

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

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

Admission to honours, postgraduate certificate or diploma (Screen Studies or Screen & Cultural Studies), postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in Media and Communication, Master of Arts Management, Master of Art Curatorship, Master of Arts and Cultural Management (Moving Image), Master of Arts and Cultural Management, Master of Global Media Communication

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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 examines the histories, cultural contexts and current debates surrounding censorship in the visual arts. Censorship practices and protocols will be defined and investigated in relation to issues of morality, legality and the public sphere. The changing definitions and complexities of censorship will be investigated in instances of creative freedom challenging prohibition in film, performing arts, visual art and media cultures. Students will gain a theoretical understanding of the historical and emerging debates surrounding the controversial area of censorship, freedom of speech and expression. Students will also study censorship in national and international contexts with an emphasis on specific case studies. This subject will also examine how artistic practice influences wider cultural, political and legal prohibitions underlying film, the arts and media.

Students completing this subject will be able to:

• understand the historical, cultural and theoretical context of film censorship, think creatively about the artistic process, develop skills of communication, communicate their views intelligibly and effectively and demonstrate a comprehension of the dey debates surrounding censorship;
• understand the historical and cultural context of censorship as well as its purpose and function; and
• appreciate changes and developments in censorship in a range of art forms across history and into the present;
• understand the range of approaches to censorship in various cultures.

A case study and presentation of 1500 words 40% (commenced at the beginning of the semester and due during the semester), and a 3500 word research essay 60% (due in the examination period). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students successfully completing this subject will:

• be able to demonstrate an advanced development of research skills;
• be able to define areas of inquiry and create relevant methods of research in the preparation of essays;
• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
• be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in presentations;
• to be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and seminar discussion; and
• be able to participate productively in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.