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Course profile

Contemporary Theories of Film and Television (MSTU3150)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Communication & Arts School

MSTU3150 is a course that explores recent approaches to the study of motion pictures as art. The course is designed to draw upon and build upon the gateway and cornerstone courses, as well as complement the capstone course, of the Film and Television major. We will explore the particular, formal qualities of motion pictures as well as the meanings and values of particular movements and works in conjunction with some recent publications from a broadly aesthetic perspective. The central aim of the course is to develop your capacity to make judgements about the films or television shows you watch; judgement, as we will discover, is central to the act of critical writing about them.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Assumed background includes, minimally, the successful knowledge and skills gained through the succesful completion of MSTU1001 and MSTU2160.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MSTU1001 or ARTT1106

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

MSTU2160; ARTT2127

Recommended companion or co-requisite courses

We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:

MSTU3005

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

MSTU2150

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

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

This course aims to familiarise students with recent approaches, developed both within film/tv studies and philosophy of art, to the study of motion pictures as art. As such, one goal is to provide students with an understanding of film/tv studies as a discipline, its relation to scholarship in other disciplines. More specifically, the course strives to facilitate students' critical thinking and abstract reasoning about the nature and value of motion pictures. It also endeavors to bolster transferable critical thinking and communication skills via intensive discussion sessions and writing.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Understand the development and relationship of distinct disciplinary approaches to studying motion pictures as art.

LO2.

Use the terms, concepts, and arguments of a particular scholarly approach to develop original claims and analyses -- orally, in writing, and/or using audiovisual technology

LO3.

Proficiently and comfortably work as a leader and participant in a small group (whether face to face or virtually) tasked to understand, explain, and critique claims and/or arguments with clarity and precision.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Essay/ Critique Short Essay 40% 1000-1500 words

30/08/2024 4:00 pm

Essay/ Critique Long Essay 60% 2000-2500 words

25/10/2024 4:00 pm

Assessment details

Short Essay

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
40% 1000-1500 words
Due date

30/08/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

This assignment asks you to produce a piece of evaluative film criticism based on a short extract of your choice from the films recommended for viewing in Weeks 1-5. The extract should be no longer than 2 minutes and the task is to make a persuasive account of its achievement or otherwise. More details about the assignment parameters will be released early in the semester. 

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit via TurnItIn through Blackboard.

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.

Long Essay

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
60% 2000-2500 words
Due date

25/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

You are required to write a piece of criticism that demonstrates your strengths in the evaluation of film. Some essay suggestions will be released mid-way through the semester, and you may wish to consult with the course coordinator about designing your own essay topic. 

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit via TurnItIn through Blackboard.

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) 1 - 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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Lecture

Week 1 Lecture: My Favourite Film: Blue Velvet (Lynch, 1986)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 1 Tutorial: My Favourite Film: Blue Velvet (Lynch, 1986)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Lecture

Week 2 Lecture: The Greatest Ever Made: The Rules of the Game (Renoir, 1939)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 2 Tutorial: The Greatest Ever Made: The Rules of the Game (Renoir, 1939)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Lecture

Week 3 Lecture: Badness: The Banshees of Inisherin (McDonagh, 2022)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 3 Tutorial: Badness: The Banshees of Inisherin (McDonagh, 2022)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

Lecture

Week 4 Lecture: Judgement as Theme: Nocturnal Animals (Ford, 2016)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 4 Tutorial: Judgement as Theme: Nocturnal Animals (Ford, 2016)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Lecture

Week 5 Lecture: Authorship and Interiority: Drive (Refn, 2011)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 5 Tutorial: Authorship and Interiority: Drive (Refn, 2011)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Lecture

Week 6: READING WEEK - NO LECTURE

Tutorial

Week 6: READING WEEK - NO TUTORIALS

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

Lecture

Week 7 Lecture: Aesthetics and Gaze: Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Sciamma, 2019)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 7 Tutorial: Aesthetics and Gaze: Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Sciamma, 2019)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Lecture

Week 8 Lecture: Metacinema: Clouds of Sils Maria (Assayas, 2014)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 8 Tutorial: Metacinema: Clouds of Sils Maria (Assayas, 2014)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Lecture

Week 9 Lecture: Good Acting: Infinity Pool (Cronenberg, 2023)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 9 Tutorial: Good Acting: Infinity Pool (Cronenberg, 2023)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Mid Sem break

(23 Sep - 29 Sep)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Mid-Semester Break

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Lecture

Week 10 Lecture: Critics and Criticism: Blow-Up (Antonioni, 1966)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 10 Tutorial: Critics and Criticism: Blow-Up (Antonioni, 1966)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Lecture

Week 11: NO LECTURE DUE TO PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 11: NO TUTORIALS DUE TO PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Lecture

Week 12 Lecture: Obstacles and Visuals: Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Herzog, 2011)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Tutorial

Week 12 Tutorial: Obstacles and Visuals: Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Herzog, 2011)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

Lecture

Week 13 Lecture: Your Favourite Film

Tutorial

Week 13 Tutorial: Your Favourite Film

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.