Course coordinator
Dr Bonnie Evans
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
An introduction to screen studies which explores the relationship between film and television and provides techniques for analysing screen texts, understanding the industrial and institutional history of film and television, and exploring the impact of aesthetic style, stardom, and genre on meaning and audience responses.
Introduction to Film and Television Studies is designed to teach students how to carefully observe, closely analyse, and critically evaluate motion pictures as artworks. After introducing students to the concepts of production, distribution, and exhibition, the course will be explore the principles by which films and television shows are made. ﾠWe will focus on narrative form and audiovisual style, examining a distinct element of film form or style each week and gradually developing an understanding of artistic techniques and norms within the artform as well as a vocabulary to describe and analyse them. We will also examine topics within film and television studies, including genre and performance. In order to facilitate these tasks, we will screen a range of innovative, classic and contemporary Australian and international films and television programs.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CCST1300
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Bonnie Evans
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Contact Hours and Teaching and Learning Modes:
11 x 1 hour lectures and 10 x 1.5 hour tutorials. There will also be 11 x 2 hour screenings.
The contact hours consist of a weekly 50 minute lecture, an 80 minute tutorial, and a two-hour (or less) film screening, which should be viewed prior to the tutorial.
As per University guidelines, you are expected to spend 10-12 hrs per week on the course, comprised of 4 contactﾠhrs (lecture, tutorial, screening) and 6-8 non-contact hours. The non-contact hours should be spent on the weekly readings, required and recommended, preparing for tutorials, and completing the assessment tasks.
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
Students completing this course will have acquired the analytical and research skills needed to pursue further study in the field of film and television studies.ﾠ Questions to be addressed by the course include: How does the formal organisation of a film or television program (i.e., its technical, aesthetic, and narrative conventions) contribute to the way viewers think about and engage with it?ﾠ How can we account for both similarities and differences in the way that individual viewers respond to the same text?
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain and apply the technical and analytical terms used in relation to film and television
LO2.
Use the language of film and television criticism and analysis in effective written and verbal communication.
LO3.
Critically analyse films and television programs
LO4.
Demonstrate an understanding of the industrial and institutional contexts of film and television production and reception.
LO5.
Apply the skills of film and television analysis to a variety of research problems and critical approaches in screen studies and adjacent disciplines.
LO6.
Build upon your introduction to and further develop your familiarity with films and television programs of different nations, cultures, and languages.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercises
|
30% |
2/03/2026 - 30/03/2026 13/04/2026 - 18/05/2026 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Scene Breakdown and Analysis | 30% 1500 words (+/-10%) |
2/04/2026 4:00 pm
Submit via Turnitin Blackboard Link |
| Essay/ Critique, Notebook/ Logbook |
Comparative Analysis Essay and Process Notes
|
40% 1500 words (+/- 10%) |
22/05/2026 4:00 pm
Submit via Turnitin Blackboard link |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercises
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
2/03/2026 - 30/03/2026
13/04/2026 - 18/05/2026
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
Task description
Each week in tutorials starting in week 2, there will be a timed writing exercise that must be completed on the provided worksheet. (You are responsible for bringing your own pen or pencil.) Students are not permitted to access devices of any kind during the task, but may consult one page of printed or handwritten notes.
You will be given a specific prompt for each exercise that will refer to content from the reading, screening and lecture, or will be related to the assessment. The question may be related to a still image or brief clip presented in tutorial.Tutors will collect the worksheets and hand the graded response back to students in the next week's class. Feedback will be given informally via class discussion afterwards, and responses that do not receive full marks will receive written feedback upon the return of their worksheet. To check this grade during the semester, please keep records when your worksheet is handed back to you. You can also ask your tutor or email the course coordinator.
You will receive three marks for each completed and correct response, 1.5 marks for a partial answer, and zero marks for responses that are incorrect or incomplete (whether unsubmitted because of non-attendance, submitted but blank, submitted but not responding to the prompt, illegible, etc.). You will also receive zero marks if you have not followed an instruction to put away your device.
Content Tasks (Week 2 - 8):
For 6 weeks, you will be given a specific prompt for each exercise that will refer to content from the reading, screening and lecture. The question may be related to a still image or brief clip presented in tutorial. Feedback will be given informally via peer groups in the tutorial immediately after writing. Tutors will collect the worksheets afterwards to record completion of the assessment task. To check this grade during the semester, please ask your tutor or email the course coordinator.
Process Notes (Week 9-12)
In the final 4 tutorials, you will complete a series of writing exercises related to conceptualising your essay. They will be designed to support your learning and assessment planning. Submission of 2/4 of these tasks will be a hurdle requirement to pass the Comparative Analysis Essay assessment.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Submitting 2/4 of the "Process Notes" portion of the task is a hurdle for passing the Comparative Analysis Essay.Submission guidelines
Submitted in tutorial.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: this is a class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal. Please contact your tutor or course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Scene Breakdown and Analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30% 1500 words (+/-10%)
- Due date
2/04/2026 4:00 pm
Submit via Turnitin Blackboard Link
Task description
For this assessment, you must complete a breakdown and written analysis of the allocated clip uploaded to Blackboard.
Breakdown: Watch a designated film clip posted to Blackboard. You will then complete a "breakdown" of the scene, breaking down every shot from the sequence by identifying and describing the aspects of mise-en-scene and cinematography you observe using the technical terminology introduced in Film Art, the course textbook.
Using the template provided, paste a screen grab of each shot into a document. Caption each shot with its number in the sequence (e.g. "Shot 1," "Shot 2," etc.). For each shot, you must identify the stylistic features and techniques used in the shot, separating them under "Mise-en-Scene" and "Cinematography", and describe how they are used. In your notes, please underline or bold-face terms from Film Art, the course textbook, and indicate in brackets the page number of the book where they are defined.
Analysis: On a separate page, you will write an analytical discussion of the sequence you have annotated (800 words, plus or minus 10%), explaining how the techniques you have written about create particular effects in the scene. Your discussion should have a thesis statement, an introduction and conclusion, and be presented in paragraphs. Your work should present an argument about how form and style creates a particular effect in the clip, carefully describing particular aspects of style (e.g.: mise-en-scene, cinematography) AND making a claim about how these aspects function together. You should use quotations or paraphrasing from Film Art to support your argument, and this should be cited according to Chicago 18th edition, Author-Notes style.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Comparative Analysis Essay and Process Notes
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Notebook/ Logbook
- Weight
- 40% 1500 words (+/- 10%)
- Due date
22/05/2026 4:00 pm
Submit via Turnitin Blackboard link
Task description
For this assessment, you must answer the essay question/s posed on Blackboard. Additionally, you must closely analyse sequences from two (2) course screenings. Additional instructions will be available on the task sheet and on Blackboard. Please note that this assessment has two components -- the essay, and the process notes, completed in class as part of the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise series.
Essay: For this assignment, you will respond to the essay question/s posted on Blackboard in the form of an essay. You will answer the question primarily through close analysis of film form and style (including mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and editing). Your essay must have a central argument and make a claim about how aspects of form and style function together via a thesis statement. As we are asking you to analyse sequences from two films, this argument should also be comparative – you should compare the form and style of the two clips. You must demonstrate your understanding of the terms and concepts in the course textbook Film Art by including references to the textbook in your essay. You must also use appropriate scholarly research to support your argument, using a minimum of two (2) academic sources outside of the course readings.
Your referencing and formatting style must adhere to that which is stipulated in the 18th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, Author-date style. Please refer to the task sheet for more guidance on formatting. Please do NOT include still images in your essay.
Process Notes: In tutorials, you will complete a series of 4 writing exercises related to conceptualising your essay. These are marked as part of the "Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise" series, but are a hurdle requirement for the final essay. You must submit 2/4 of these tasks in-person to pass the essay. The word count does not apply to the process notes.
A task sheet and rubric will be made available on Blackboard.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
Submitting 2/4 of the "Process Notes" portion of the Weekly Writing Tasks assessment is a hurdle for passing the Comparative Analysis Essay.Submission guidelines
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 1 Lecture MSTU1001 Introduction: Film as Art Reading: Film Art Chapter 1 "Film as Art: Creativity, Technology, and Business" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 1 - No Screening |
|
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 1 - No Tutorial Tutorials begin in Week 2. |
|
Week 2 (02 Mar - 08 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 2 Lecture Form in Film and Television Reading: Film Art Chapter 2 "The Significance of Film Form" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
General contact hours |
Week 2 Screening Parasite (dir. Bong Joon Ho, 2019) South Korea. [MA15+ Strong Violence] Available on Kanopy |
|
Tutorial |
Week 2 Tutorial |
|
Week 3 (09 Mar - 15 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 3 Lecture Narrative and narration in Film and Television. Reading: Film Art Chapter 3 "Narrative Form" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
General contact hours |
Week 3 Screening Citizen Kane (dir. Orson Welles, 1941) [G] Low impact violence, domestic violence themes. Available via Kanopy |
|
Tutorial |
Week 3 Tutorial Please do the reading, watch the screening and view the lecture prior to coming to tutorials. Tutorials are designed to consolidate student's knowledge of film and television concepts from the readings and lecture, and build their analytical skills. Each week there is a graded tutorial writing task, followed by tutorial activities carried out individually, in groups, and as a class. |
|
Week 4 (16 Mar - 22 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 4 Lecture Mise-en-scene. Reading: Film Art Chapter 4 "The Shot: Mise-en-Scene" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
General contact hours |
Week 4 Screening In the Mood for Love (dir. Wong Kar Wai, 2000) Hong Kong/France. [G] Available on Kanopy |
|
Tutorial |
Week 4 Tutorial |
|
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Lecture |
Week 5 Lecture Cinematography. Reading: Film Art Chapter 5 "The Shot: Cinematography" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
General contact hours |
Week 5 Screening La Chimera (2024, dir. Alice Rohrwacher, Italy). [M] - Course language. Can also be viewed on Kanopy. |
|
Tutorial |
Week 5 Tutorial |
|
Week 6 (30 Mar - 05 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 6 - NO LECTURE, SCREENING and TUTORIALS Due to Good Friday Public Holiday Scene Breakdown and Analysis Due Thursday 2nd April. |
Mid-sem break (06 Apr - 12 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 7 (13 Apr - 19 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 7 Lecture Editing. Reading: Film Art Chapter 6 "The Relation of Shot to Shot: Editing" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
General contact hours |
Week 7 Screening Beau Travail (Dir. Claire Denis, 1999) France. [M Adult themes; medium coarse level language] Available on Kanopy |
|
Tutorial |
Week 7 Tutorial |
|
Week 8 (20 Apr - 26 Apr) |
Lecture |
Week 8 Lecture Sound. Reading: Film Art Chapter 7 "Sound in the Cinema" by Bordwell, Thompson and Smith. |
General contact hours |
Week 8 Screening Sweet Country (2017, dir. Warwick Thornton). [MA15+ Strong violence, racism, sexual violence.] Available via Kanopy. |
|
Tutorial |
Week 8 Tutorial |
|
Week 9 (27 Apr - 03 May) |
Lecture |
Week 9 Lecture Performance, Acting, and Stardom. Reading: Chapter 3: Notes on Acting in Cinema, pp. 49-57 in James Naremore's book An Invention without a Future: Essays on Cinema. |
General contact hours |
Week 9 Screening The Babadook (2014, dir. Jennifer Kent, AUS). [M] - Horror themes, violence, sexual reference and coarse language. Violence against an animal. Available via Kanopy. |
|
Tutorial |
Week 9 Tutorial |
|
Week 10 (04 May - 10 May) |
Lecture |
Week 10 Lecture Experimental Cinema. |
General contact hours |
Week 10 Screening Selection of experimental shorts including: La Jetee (1962, Chris Marker, France), Meshes of the Afternoon (1943, Maya Deren, USA), Night Cries (Tracey Moffatt, AUS). |
|
Tutorial |
Week 10 Tutorial |
|
Week 11 (11 May - 17 May) |
Lecture |
Week 11 Lecture Documentary and the Representation of the Real on Film. Reading: Chapter 1 "How Can We Define Documentary Film?" in Bill Nichols' book Introduction to Documentary. |
General contact hours |
Week 11 Screening Flee (2021, Jonas Pohar Rasmussen, Denmark). Available on Kanopy |
|
Tutorial |
Week 11 Tutorial |
|
Week 12 (18 May - 24 May) |
Lecture |
Week 12 Lecture Film Theory and Criticism. |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 12 - No Screening |
|
Tutorial |
Week 12 Tutorial Comparative Analysis Essay due Friday 22nd May. |
|
Week 13 (25 May - 31 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Wk 13: NO LECTURE, SCREENING, TUTORIAL |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.