Overview

The aim of this unit of study is to provide you with a theoretical and historical understanding of moving image and screen-based forms within the contemporary context. The history of film and associated media will be considered both in relation to key technical and conceptual developments as well as changes in reception and dissemination. In this regard, particular importance will be given to the emergence of networked space and more specifically the internet as a defining paradigm of the contemporary era. A range of films, experimental video, media and interactive works will be examined and discussed in relation to key concepts surrounding film theory and new media. In addition to this a number of key works and concepts from the pre-history of cinema and computation will also be examined to provide a historical context to the discussion.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rebecca Beardmore, rebecca.beardmore@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Aleksandr Wansbrough, aleksandr.wansbrough@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Major essay Research and Reflection	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2025 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Video Presentation with written submission Research presentation with written submission	30%	Week 07 Due date: 07 Apr 2025 at 09:00	5 minutes (1500 words equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Class posting Discussion	20%	Week 10 Due date: 05 May 2025 at 09:00	500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Seminar presentation: You will provide a 5 minute video-essay or recorded video presentation using Zoom or OBS or Powerpoint (or a similar software), accompanied by documentation of your research. You will reserach an historical movement in film such as a New Wave movement (New Indian Cinema/Parallel Cinema, French New Wave, Japanese New Wave, Czech New Wave, Taiwanese New Wave), German Expressionism, Italian Neorealism, Film Noir, or Dogme 95. Pick only one of these movements. Presentations cannot be over five minutes. You must cite at least one academic article in your research and describe the context for the cinema movement, its key stylistic characteristics, and consider its importance. Visual examples from films discussed are expected. More details regarding the assignment will be provided on CANVAS.
Class posting: You will each post a brief statement to the class blog or vlog on one of the readings, discussing one point or argument made and why you agree or disagree. You should relate the reading back to a film, video work or video game of their own choosing.
Major essay: explore how one of your own artworks, films or videos relates to a theory or concept studied in class. Your essay must make use of a reading from class and an external reading. How does the reading or theory help to understand your work, or how has it contributed to your understanding of your work?

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Limited use of AI tools

In this assessment you are allowed to use automated writing tools and artificial intelligence (AI) for the following purposes:

Editing assistance

You may use automated writing or AI tools such as to provide feedback on your work and suggest readability improvements to your text in terms of grammar and expression. You cannot use generative AI tools to generate content.

Creating media for assessment

You may use AI tools such as if required to generate visual or audio support that you use as part of your research presentation.

Searching and summarising literature

You may use AI tools such as to find and summarise research articles. The generated summary should not be included in the submission. You need to incorporate the scholarship yourself into your submission.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission, must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to reference and acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

Do not enter confidential, personal, copyrighted or otherwise sensitive information into any AI tool.
If you use these tools, you must be aware of their limitations, biases, and propensity for fabrication.
Do not rely on the accuracy of outputs. You remain responsible for your work. This means you must independently verify and edit AI-generated content to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and suitability of the output.

Failure to declare the use of AI tools is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and may result in penalties, which can include a fail for the assessment.

You are advised to keep copies of the prompts you provided and AI outputs as evidence of your research and writing process. This allows you to produce an accurate acknowledgement of AI use when you submit your work. This can be requested by the unit coordinator if there is any uncertainty about the originality of your work.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Cinemasticity class discussion: What is cinema, what was cinema and what constitutes cinema in the 21st century? Can video art, games, and cave shadows be described as cinematic? Is cinema dying or expanding? What is meant by the word ontology of film, cinema, etc	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	The Essay Film and Documentary: the film essay and its relation to documentary, key events in documentary and its evolution and touch contemporary forms of essay films on YouTube and the emergence of Gonzo documentary. What distinguishes documentary from fictional narrative?	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Hyperlink and Hyperreal cinema: precursors to hyperlink films, working from recent films backward. Lev Manovich's "The Language of New Media" and "New Media: a User's Guide."	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Video-gaming: cinemasticity of gaming, how video games have changed cinema and television	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Posthuman Screens: how the theme of the posthuman is linked to cinema's history, Metropolis and avant-garde works of cinema, Ex Machina and innovations in contemporary art.	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Concepts and histories of the cinema	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Student Presentations	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Haunted and haunting screens: the idea of hauntology comes from Jacques Derrida. History as type of hauntology and how cinema and video art works are hauntological.	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Psychoanalysis: the male gaze, cultural memory in terms of war, the abject and the uncanny.	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Mass media and politics: politics of mass media, Guy Debord and the Frankfurt school.	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	The Avant-Garde, the underground, and the B Movie	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Uncanny animations: animation and its prevalence	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Spectatorship shifts: viewing morgues and wax museums, walking in a media installation or watching a film, shifts in spectatorship.	Tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Additional requirements by the Sydney College of the Arts

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the unit coordinator or relevant delegate.
All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted. You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass.
Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in forfeiture or marks associated with the assessment.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings will be listed in Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and historical underpinnings of contemporary moving image and new media production
LO2. conceptualise and situate their practice as filmmakers and media artists both in terms of media specific debates and the broader context of contemporary art and media discourses
LO3. effectively evaluate the ethical implications of contemporary filmic and new media technologies and forms
LO4. effectively prepare a range of media for presentation in online environments
LO5. use appropriate technologies and media to effectively gather information
LO6. critically evaluate information.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 07 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Limited use of AI tools

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CAMI5005: History and Theory of Screen

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Limited use of AI tools

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect