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Unit outline_

FRNC3690: French Political Cinema

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will focus on a type of filmmaking that shows political and social awareness by depicting sociopolitical events, contemporary social realities in France and issues of marginality and difference. It will consider the contexts in which various trends of political films have emerged, the influence of post-war film history and contemporary events. The unit will explore issues of cinematic representation of marginality, ethnicity, sexuality and difference. Film screenings are an integral part of the course.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit French and Francophone Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
FRNC3002 or FRNC3633 or FRNC1632 or FRNC2633 or (FRNC3626 and FRNC2627) or (FRNC3606 and FRNC2625).
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michelle Royer, michelle.royer@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Oral presentation
Oral presentation in-class (Zoom)
30% Multiple weeks 10 min in French equivalent to 2400wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Peer assessment
Peer assessment
10% Multiple weeks 600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Participation
Class participation
10% Ongoing Throughout the semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO2
Assignment Research Project
Research project on French socio-political cinema, Written in French
50% Week 13
Due date: 27 Nov 2020 at 17:00
3000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Oral presentation to be video recorded and posted on Studio
  • Peer assessment
  • Research Project

Assessment criteria

F: Fail

P: Pass

CR: credit

D: Distinction

HD: High Distinction

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:

Submission of assessment tasks will be required by the due date. If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted (a) From the first calendar day after the published due date, the penalty applied is five per cent of the maximum mark awardable for the assignment. For each calendar day late thereafter, the penalty increases by five per cent; (b) Work will not be assessed and a mark of zero will be recorded when an assessment item is submitted either; (i) more than ten working days after the deadline, or (ii) after the designated return date, whichever is earlier.

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 to the course Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 02 Qu’est-ce qu’un film socio-politique ? Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 03 Film et Histoire(s) 1 : La Seconde Guerre mondiale, l'occupation et la collaboration au cinéma Introduction à l’analyse filmique. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 04 Film et Histoire(s) 2 : la colonisation et la décolonisation française au cinéma. Le cas de l’Algérie. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 05 Autres regards, regards sur l'Autre : le thème de l'immigration et ses représentations filmiques. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 06 Femmes et films : représenter les femmes au cinéma. Qu'est-ce qu'un film féministe ? Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 07 Marginalités et cinéma 1 : la représentation des minorités sexuelles. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 08 Marginalités et cinéma 2 : représenter la précarité sociale. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 09 Questions d'actualités 1 : le thème de l'environnement. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 10 Questions d'actualités 2 : La question des réfugiés Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 11 Films "d'école" : le système éducatif et les disparités sociales au cinéma. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 12 Conseils pour le dossier de recherche Tutorial (2 hr)  

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.

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. understand, assess and analyse visual representations
  • LO2. appropriately use a range of critical terms in film analysis in written and oral contexts.
  • LO3. analyse French political films, and the complex contexts in which they are produced.
  • LO4. undertake research in French cinema
  • LO5. understand the complexity of issues of representation in political cinema

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.

More attention will be given to films accessibility Clearer instructions for assessment

Disclaimer

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

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