Mainstream and Alternative Screen Cultures

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2024/05
Institute / School :Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Unit Title: Mainstream and Alternative Screen Cultures
Unit ID: BAFLM3004
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): (BATCC1001 or BATCC1002 or FLMES1001 or FLMES1002) (At least 30 credit points from BAFLM or BATCC or BAXDC or FLMES or FLMGL or FLMOL subject-area at 2000-2999 level)
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): (BAFLM2004 and FLMGL2202 and FLMGL3302)
ASCED: 100701
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This advanced-level course provides an overview of Hollywood cinema and goes on to consider alternatives to Hollywood’s aesthetic and industrial model. Topics in the course draw on theories and critical perspectives of genres, narrative and film form, censorship, key themes and ideologies. The course teaches students to develop a critical understanding of different models of cinema, production and reception contexts and textual features. Films will be studied both as texts and in relation to social, historical and industrial contexts, including foreign productions.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component: No
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                        
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Apply terminology relating to various aspects of Hollywood/alternative film form.

K2.

Examine the development of cinema, including the classical, post-classical and contemporary periods.

K3.

Explore and examine key developments in the Hollywood industry, from the classical studio system to the present; and evaluate alternatives to this model.

K4.

Investigate knowledge of a range of advanced film theories relating to cinema.

Skills:
S1.

Undertake developed analysis of films in terms of formal features and a range of themes.

S2.

Apply film theory to Hollywood and alternative genres and screen texts.

S3.

Identify features of classical, post-classical and recent Hollywood screen texts and consider the features of other texts such as art and experimental cinema.

S4.

Undertake developed research independently about screen texts.

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Produce written analysis of screen texts and/or theoretical approaches to screen media.

A2.

Apply ideas from secondary texts to screen texts.

A3.

Contribute to discussions applying conceptual, theoretical, contextual and/or historical material to screen texts.

A4.

Devise a written argument informed by substantial research and developed skills of screen textual analysis and critical thinking.

Unit Content:

Topics may include:

1.Hollywood as industry

2.Alternatives to Hollywood, such as art cinema, experimental and independent cinema

3.Various approaches to narrative and film form

4.Significant historical, political and social developments, such as the Production Code, the anti-Communist period and post-classical Hollywood

5.Major studio films and independent productions

6.Significant film movements from outside Hollywood

7.Influences of foreign film-making on Hollywood and/or vice versa

8.Transnational screen productions, with or without Hollywood’s involvement

Graduate Attributes:
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.K2, S1, S2, S3, A1, A3

Present an argument in the form of a short essay addressing a topic about a key concept, period, movement or stylistic developments relating to course content.

Analytical paper

25-35%

2.K1, K2, K4, S2, S3, A2

Apply knowledge of set texts and key concepts in responses to short answer questions, designed to demonstrate coverage of course content. The test will be in either face-to-face or online mode, with the mode being used to be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Test

25-35%

3.K3, K4, S2, S3, S4, A1, A4

Research and apply relevant scholarship to an analysis of texts. The topic is to be developed by the student in consultation with the course coordinator. Task is designed to demonstrate cumulative understanding of course content.

Research Essay

30-40%

Adopted Reference Style:
MLA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency