MEDIA 221 : Action Films

Arts

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Investigates action films as a genre and a “spectacle” in world cinema. Considers the aesthetic qualities of the genre and its interaction with the wider context. Issues studied include the relationship between conventions and inventions, the combination of visual and aural spectacle, as well as how identity is articulated through the discourse of nation, gender, ethnicity, age and the landscape.

Course Overview

Contemporary cinema is action-oriented. This course examines the formal qualities of the action genre and its interaction with historical, sociocultural and industrial contexts. We focus on action aesthetics, such as narrative devices, spectacle and sound, the conventions and developments of the genre, and how the genre engages with discourses of identity, gender, youth, nation, ethnicity and geopolitics. 

Each week we focus on studying one film in class. The General Library has a comprehensive collection of books, journals and videos. The required reading materials are available on Talis. Recommended reading will help you better understand the film and the context in which the film was produced. You should complete the required viewing and reading before attending the lecture and tutorial.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points at Stage I in Media and Screen Studies and 30 points passed Restriction: MEDIA 315

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop and demonstrate a good knowledge about the evolution of action film as an enduring genre in world cinema (Capability 1, 3 and 4)
  2. Identify and critically evaluate the aesthetic elements that form the language of action films (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Identify and critically evaluate the multi-generic nature of contemporary action films (Capability 3 and 4)
  4. Identify, explain and evaluate information about some dominant trends in world cinema (Capability 1, 3 and 4)
  5. Develop and demonstrate ability to structure, shape and synthesize information (Capability 3 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 100% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect two hours of lectures, a one hour tutorial, four hours of reading and thinking about the content and three hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at lectures and tutorials.

Lectures will be available as recordings. 

Tutorials will not be available as recordings.

Learning 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.

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.

Attendance at tutorials and lectures is not assessed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 30/10/2024 07:56 a.m.