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Unit outline_

FILM2001: Memory of the World: Key Films

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

From the postmodern nostalgia film to the holocaust documentary, cinema is implicated in complex processes of forgetting and remembering. This unit introduces students to thinking about how film represents memory formally and narratively and its thematic, cultural, and moral implications. It traces film's relation to nostalgia while approaching cinema more broadly as an archive of memory, especially of those ephemeral minor or affective experiences not often thought of as historical.

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 the Visual Arts major
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ARHT2053 or ARHT2653
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matilda Mroz, matilda.mroz@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Topic chosen from set questions. Refer to Canvas for details.
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 15 Jun 2021 at 23:55
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
Class participation. Please refer to Canvas for details.
10% Ongoing Throughout semester.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Short Essay on Memory and Film
Short Essay - please refer to Canvas for further details
10% Week 04
Due date: 26 Mar 2021 at 23:59
600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Film Analysis
Analysis of a ten-minute sequence. Please refer to Canvas for details.
30% Week 07
Due date: 23 Apr 2021 at 23:59
1400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO4 LO3

Assessment summary

Short Essay: Students will write a short reflection of a film scene that demonstrates a relationship with memory. 

Film Analysis: Students will choose a ten-minute sequence from a film on the unit to analyse. 

Essay: Students will write on a topic chosen from a set of questions. 

Participation: Students’ engagement with the module will be assessed. 

Please refer to Canvas for further details of all of these assessments. 

Assessment criteria

Assessment Criteria

This unit uses standards based assessment for award of assessment marks. Your assessments will be evaluated solely on the basis of your individual performance. The following grade descriptors are also available online at:

http://sydney.edu.au/arts/art_history/student_resources/

This guide indicates broadly the qualitative judgements implied by the various grades which may be awarded. A more precise evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of individual essays will be provided in examiners'' comments. Evaluation is made with due consideration of the different standards likely to be achieved by students in junior and senior intermediate (2nd year) and advanced (3rd year) units.

85%+ (High Distinction)

Work of exceptional standard.

Work demonstrates initiative and originality in research, analysis and argumentation; presents innovative, insightful interpretations of specific works of art, architecture, film and/or other media, which are used throughout to demonstrate points being made; effectively integrates visual analysis and critical engagement with scholarly debates to develop a rich and thorough analysis of its object(s) of study; indicates awareness of complexities and qualifications in argumentation; demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context; provides evidence of wide ranging reading; is properly referenced and well presented; writing is clear, fluent, and persuasive.

A High Distinction is distinguished from a Distinction by the depth and sophistication of visual analysis deployed, and by the evidence of independent, critical thinking. Work which is awarded a mark of over 90% in senior level units of study will often contain some publishable or potentially publishable elements.

75-84% (Distinction)

Work of a superior standard

Work demonstrates an intelligent understanding of, and individual engagement with, material; visual analysis is well developed and harnessed to the argument, with thoughtful, detailed visual exposition of specific works used to demonstrate points; addresses an issue and presents a well argued, coherent case; demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context; demonstrates an independent and critical attitude to readings; written work is properly referenced and well presented, with a clear structure and coherent overall argument; writing is characterized by individuality, clarity, and independent insight.

A Distinction is distinguished from a High Credit chiefly by the quality of its analysis of the works of art under discussion, and by its level of critical understanding and intellectual enquiry.

70-74% (High Credit)

Highly competent work demonstrating clear capacity to complete Honours successfully. This level of work is considered above average.

Work provides evidence of independent reading and thinking about relevant works of art and their contexts; demonstrates capacity to undertake close analysis of works of art and develop with c independent observations; demonstrates a sound grasp of subject matter and a good appreciation of key issues and contexts; shows understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the conceptual issues raised; avoids summary; indicates an intelligent attempt at a critical or theoretical argument; is clearly and effectively written; is well referenced.

A High Credit is distinguished from a Low Credit chiefly by the extent of independent analysis of works of art, and by some obvious attempt to interpret the outcome of close analysis.

65-69% (Low Credit)

Very competent work though not necessarily of the standard to complete Honours. 

The work shows some understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the conceptual issues raised by a unit of study; demonstrates some independent reading and thinking about key works of art and their contexts; uses close critical analysis; avoids summary; attempts a critical or theoretical argument; is clearly and effectively written; is adequately referenced.

A Low Credit is distinguished from a High Pass by the degree of independent discussion of works of art, the clarity of the writing and the extent to which it attempts a more general critical and/or theoretical argument.

58-64% (High Pass)

Work of a good, satisfactory standard 

Work demonstrates a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance; demonstrates a genuine attempt at independent reading and thinking about works of art; generally avoids summary, paraphrase or unsubstantiated assertion; arguments may contain some oversimplification or superficiality; may sometimes present quotation for illustrative purposes merely, but does also present the outcome of some critical analysis; is adequately expressed; is adequately referenced.

 

50-57% (Pass)

Work of an acceptable standard 

Work provides evidence of having read and thought about relevant works of art and issues; attempts a coherent argument though there may be ellipses in argumentation; discussion of works of art tends towards description rather than analysis; insufficient preparation for a visual test may be indicated by missed or incorrect identifications, lack of familiarity with periods, styles, key critical issues; may paraphrase fairly extensively; tends to use quotation for illustrative purposes only; may tend towards generality in answering a question; may present simplistic comment or unsubstantiated assertions; is adequately expressed though there may be some weaknesses in this area; may contain some referencing errors.

 

Below 50% (Fail)

Work not of an acceptable standard

Work may fail for any of the following reasons: little or no analysis of works of art; in a visual test, an inability to correctly identify works, periods and styles; serious mistakes in identification, indicating lack of understanding of the material taught; minimal research; irrelevance of content; unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; excessive use of quotation for illustrative purposes only, without any attempt at analysis; excessive level of generality in answering a question; sloppy, inconsistent presentation; inappropriate or obscure expression; incoherent general structure; inadequate referencing; late submission of work without extension.

 

 

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: cinemas/memories Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Rupture: trauma, flashback, and Hiroshima Mon Amour Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Reflecting on cinemas and memories Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Vanishing/returning: Picnic at Hanging Rock in and outside the cinema Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Hiroshima Mon Amour (Resnais, 1959) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Remembered impressions: falling in love in/with cinema Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Picnic at Hanging Rock (Weir, 1975) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 The taste of memory, from Daughters of the Dust to Lemonade Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
The Falling (Morley, 2014) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Speaking through the wound: embodied trauma in The Silences of the Palace Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Daughters of the Dust (Dash, 1991) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 What is a ghost? On spectrality and The Devil’s Backbone Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
The Silences of the Palace (Tlatli, 1994) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 The insistence of the disappeared: The Headless Woman Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
The Devil’s Backbone (del Toro, 2001) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 After Auschwitz, after memory? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
The Headless Woman (Martel, 2008) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Rewind, Repress, Erase: Caché Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Schindler's List (Spielberg, 1993) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 The ghost of pandemics past: monstrous histories in The Host Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Caché (Haneke, 2005) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Memories of the world: reprise Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
The Host (Bong, 2006) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Writing on memories of the world: essay guidance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Essay guidance Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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. If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark. For more information on attendance, see https://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts/rules/faculty_resolutions_arts.shtml.

Class Requirements

All lectures for this unit will be conducted online and available as recordings. Based on student preference and availability, students will be allocated to either an online or face-to-face tutorial. Please check your individual timetables. 

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

Please see Canvas for week-by-week reading and viewing requirements. 

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. demonstrate an advanced understanding of different concepts of memory and their application to the study of film in terms of representation, spectatorship, and reception;
  • LO2. analyse the representation of memory across a range of genres and national cinemas;
  • LO3. critically reflect on the relation of cinema to various forms of memory, processes of memorialization, historical discourse and theorisations of the archive;
  • LO4. draw on the concepts and issues explored in the unit, as well as further independent research, to construct arguments and perspectives on cinema, memory, and history.

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.

The reading and viewing list for this unit has been revised since the unit was last offered.

Additional costs

Students may be required to rent or purchase films for this unit. This is due to copyright restrictions in operation during the pandemic. We have tried to keep costs to an absolute minimum and will warn students in advance where purchases might be necessary.

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.