Contemporary Film Theory

Subject SCRN40002 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 29-Feb-2016 to 29-May-2016
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 11-Mar-2016
Census Date 31-Mar-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 hour seminar and 2.5 hour screening per week
Total Time Commitment:

120

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate certificate or diploma or fourth year honours in screen studies or screen and cultural studies, gender studies, Master of Arts and Cultural Management (Moving Image)

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

Coordinator

Dr Claudia Sandberg

Contact

claudia.sandberg@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will examine the development of contemporary film theory from the post-1968 period to the present. Students will be expected to evaluate critically the significance of a number of the following theoretical approaches to an understanding of the cinema. These approaches will be selected from the following: semiotics, post-structuralism, feminist film theory, surrealist theory, psychoanalysis, post-auteurism, postmodernism, postcolonial, queer theory, and recent research in human/animal studies on screen. Students will attend seminars that involve a variety of approaches: close textual analysis, research, thesis writing and the presentations of papers.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

  • have a comprehensive understanding of key film theoretical models of the post-60s;
  • apply various theories to an analysis of the cinema; and
  • critically evaluate the significance of film theory for film interpretation.
Assessment:

A 2000 word tutorial paper 40% (due during the semester), and a 3000 word essay or web site 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 10% 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.

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:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • possess advanced skills of critical thinking and analysis;
  • develop research and writing skills;
  • be able to account for the relationship between the film industry and film form;
  • possess an ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly, economically and effectively; and
  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Management (Advanced)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Management
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management
150 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management - Moving Image Specialisation
200 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management
200 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management - Moving Image specialisation
200 points Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics)
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Screen Studies
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Social Theory
Graduate Certificate in Arts - Screen and Cultural Studies
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Gender Studies
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Screen Studies
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Screen and Cultural Studies
Graduate Diploma of Arts (Advanced) - Social Theory
PC-ARTS Screen Studies
PC-ARTS Social Theory
PD-ARTS Gender Studies
PD-ARTS Screen Studies
PD-ARTS Social Theory
Screen and Cultural Studies

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