CHINESE 303 : China on Screen

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The transformation of China’s contemporary cultures and communities can be charted through film. This course uses films from the 1930s until this century to examine the development and contestation of the Chinese nation. Several films will be compared with their literary originals in translation.

Course Overview

The transformation of China’s contemporary cultures and communities can be charted through film. This course uses films from the 1930s until this century to examine the development and contestation of the Chinese nation. Several films will be compared with their literary originals in translation.
The course centers on discussion of nine major films from the Chinese-speaking world. Our first films are from the 1930s and 1940s and focus on the position of women. Socialist Chinese cinema is represented by several films, including literary adaptations. The rise of a new generation of filmmakers in the 1980s is a major theme, as we trace the changes in their careers, art and audiences. The internationalisation of Chinese cinema by the turn of the twenty-first century completes the course.
Taught entirely in English.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II in Asian Studies or Media, Film and Television, or CHINESE 130 and 15 points at Stage II in Asian Studies Restriction: CHINESE 203

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop an understanding of the function of films in Chinese society and history over nine decades. For students of Chinese cultural backgrounds this will include an awareness of how China is viewed differently from abroad, including from New Zealand. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3)
  2. Analyse film texts and historical developments using the tools of different disciplines, including History, Film Studies and Area Studies. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3)
  3. Communicate understanding of the ways in which films have reflected and shaped historical developments in Chinese society and culture through writing reports and essays and through small-group discussion. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Apply understandings of cultural and social change in China to the interpretation of film texts. (Capability 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 100% Individual Coursework
A Film Report (approx. 2,000 words) worth 40%, due in Week 6
A Final Essay (approx. 3,000 words) worth 60%, due in Week 13

Next offered

First Semester 2020

Learning Resources

All readings for the course are provided through Canvas.  Weekly films are to be watched in students' own time in the Library.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week on each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, including class time and personal study and assignment preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 19/12/2019 12:17 p.m.