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Unit outline_

FILM4115: Film Theory: Art, Industry, Culture.

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The relation of film to the artistic, industrial and cultural movements of the 20th and 21st centuries is an ongoing issue for film theorists. With the advent of digital processes and production the relation of art and industry has brought a new set of problems. How do we conceptualise new forms of filmmaking? What theoretical and aesthetic language(s) do we draw on? And how best to rethink film in the face of rapid technological and cultural change? These issues will be investigated by tracing the development of film theory itself, as a set of theoretical and philosophical frameworks that have sought to define, categorise, analyse and debate cinema's complex manifestations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Film Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
144 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Richard Smith, r.smith@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Richard Smith, r.smith@sydney.edu.au
Susan Potter, susan.potter@sydney.edu.au
Pao-chen Tang, paochen.tang@sydney.edu.au
Matilda Mroz, matilda.mroz@sydney.edu.au
Bruce Isaacs, bruce.isaacs@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical Research Task
Self-directed research essay.
55% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
3600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation hurdle task group assignment In-class submitted task
Group presentation (2 students).
15% Multiple weeks 700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2
Assignment Critical Analysis
Students will interrogate a theoretical idea through critical analysis.
30% Week 08
Due date: 16 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

critical reflective essay.

Assessment criteria

Honours Seminar Assessment works as follows.

80 - 100 Hight Distinction
70-80 Distinction
60-70 Credit.
50-60 Pass.

Honours Seminars are worth 20% of Final Grade.
There is no curve grading in Honours.  Each work is graded on its merits. 
Assessments submitted to Turnitin are distributed amongst unit of study teachers,

 

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

2 percent per business day

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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: Film Theory. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 Early Theories of Film. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 03 The Theory of Classical Film. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 04 Spectacle. The Apparatus Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 05 Cognitivist Theories. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Film History/Theory. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 07 Film Genre Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 08 Philosophies of Film. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 09 Filmic Temporalities. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 10 Affect Theory. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 11 Beyond the Human Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 12 Modes of Melodrama. Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 13 Film Theory After Cinema Seminar (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is crucial and required in order to ethically participate in critical theoretical culture.

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

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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. critically analyse a range of film texts and demonstrate a knowledge of cinematic form, technique and style
  • LO2. Analyse and assess critical and theoretical debates, especially in relation to understanding the film viewing experience.
  • LO3. Demonstrate Skills in verbal communication and presentation
  • LO4. Demonstrate appropriate skills in critical and theoretical research and writing.

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.

S2 2024 is the first time FILM4115 has run. The Film Honours program is under review. As the only Honours UoS taught within Film studies this UoS will be an important inclusion in any larger critical review of the program.

Additional costs

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Site visit guidelines

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Disclaimer

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