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Unit outline_

FILM2000: From Silent to Sound Cinema

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Examining cinema as a manifestation of modernity, this unit of study contextualizes early film as art, commodity, industry, institution and mass production of the senses. It introduces students to the study of the history and aesthetics of silent cinema, including major genres such as melodrama and slapstick, and the impacts of the transition to sound.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in the Film Studies major or 12 credit points at 1000 level in the Art History major or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Critical Studies or 12 credit points at 1000 level in the Visual Arts major
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ARHT2052 or ARHT2652
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Susan Potter, susan.potter@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Megan Nash, megan.nash@sydney.edu.au
Ivan Cerecina, ivan.cerecina@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Video essay
A video essay and a 500-word critical reflection.
50% STUVAC
Due date: 21 Nov 2021 at 23:59
5-7 mins plus 500wd [2500wd equivalent]
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Video portfolio
Video exercises 1-3 and 500-word critical reflection.
30% Week 07
Due date: 26 Sep 2021 at 23:59
3 x 1 minute plus 500wd [1000wd equiv]
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Assignment Video essay plan
A written plan for the final video essay assignment.
20% Week 11
Due date: 31 Oct 2021 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

See the further information in Canvas.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative 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 acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 02 What is a video essay? Tutorial (2 hr)  
The cinema of attractions Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 03 New forms of attraction (video exercise 1) Tutorial (2 hr)  
Early narrative: shorts, serials, features Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 04 Narrative crossroads Tutorial (2 hr)  
Slapstick: pie and chase Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 05 Screening Slapstick (video exercise 2) Tutorial (2 hr)  
Melodrama: feeling modern Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 06 Melodrama Tutorial (2 hr)  
Expressionism: modern life Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 07 Expressionism (video exercise 3) Tutorial (2 hr)  
Montage: revolutionary cinema Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 08 Montage Tutorial (2 hr)  
Syncing sound: transitions Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 09 Syncing Sound Tutorial (2 hr)  
Horror: mute monsters Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 10 Horror Tutorial (2 hr)  
Stardom: heavenly bodies Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 11 Planning your video essay Tutorial (2 hr)  
Noir: voiceover Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 12 Noir and voiceover Tutorial (2 hr)  
Neo-realism: body, sight and sound Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 13 Video essay workshop Tutorial (2 hr)  
The musical: resynchronisation Lecture (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

See Canvas for more information.

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

See Canvas for more information.

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.

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

  • LO1. By the end of this unit of study, students should be able to: identify and analyse the formal, aesthetic and narrative elements of early films and their difference from later cinematic modes and genres;
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural and economic contexts in which cinema develops across the twentieth century;
  • LO3. articulate the different meanings and critical implications of the key terms around which the unit is organised;
  • LO4. draw on the concepts and issues explored in the unit, as well as further independent research, to construct arguments and perspectives on the history of cinema via specific case studie

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Minor changes have been made to the unit in response to feedback from students last year including a new first tutorial on the video essay.

Disclaimer

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

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