MEDIA 101 : Film Studies
Arts
2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course explores a series of significant films, from the introduction of cinema to the present. We are interested in questions such as: What is cinema? How do we study film? And, most importantly, what kind of relationships does film establish with the world we live in?
Drawing on films from different periods and genres, there will be an emphasis on six main technical elements of film construction: editing, sound, cinematography, genre, mise-en-scène and narrative. In order to place these elements in context and investigate them in relation to each other, students will study a set of films to gain a comparative perspective, while acquiring technical vocabulary for the study of film. There will be considerable emphasis placed on the importance of developing skills for writing about film.
The tutoring and assessment processes of this course are designed to enable students to achieve and demonstrate their critical and analytical capabilities within the discipline. The successful completion of this course demonstrates that students have acquired the skills necessary to undertake film courses at Stage II. It is also the first step in acquiring the academic and literacy competencies that enable students to meet the Media, Film and Television Graduate Profile by their final year of undergraduate study.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop an understanding of the formal techniques and conventions of feature film making (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
- Develop a historical perspective and awareness of film-making (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
- Analyse and contextualise films from different genres and periods (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Discuss the cinema as a form of cultural politics, providing insight into questions of race, class and gender. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.3)
- Develop and demonstrate academic and literacy competencies in film analysis and writing about film (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.3)
- Critically discuss films with peers in tutorials (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.3)
- Connect and contextualise recurrent themes of the course and demonstrate an ability to apply central ideas to different films (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2 and 6.3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Film Analysis | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Film Essay | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| Tutorial Participation | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
Learning Resources
The Film Experience: An Introduction.
Patricia White and Timothy Corrigan, New York: Bedford/St.Martins, 4th Edition, 2015
Workload Expectations
For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation (plus midsemester break and exam study period).
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.