Australian Cinema: Representation and Identity (Globally Networked Learning with Florence)
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1 SDNY FILM 2211 Australian Cinema: Representation and Identity (Globally Networked Learning with Florence) Course Description This course examines the rich history of Australian cinema and its attempt to describe a uniquely Australian identity. The course thus has two interrelated points of inquiry. First, we will attempt to appreciate the historical context of Australian cinema – from modes of production to aesthetics to distribution. Second, the course will investigate the notion of an Australian identity as it is expressed in some of the most significant films in the Australian tradition. We will look at Australian genre cinema, the 70s Renaissance and recent transformations in the Australian film industry. The course will focus specifically on the theme of national identity and the growing debates around what constitutes a national 1 2 cinema. Indeed, a question to be explored is the extent to which Australian films have reflected or determined Australian values. Comparisons with appropriate U.S. values and films are encouraged. Course Aims The main objective of this course is to enable students to engage with important issues of personal and collective, or national identity via the study of notable Australian films. The course will also provide a basic introduction to the field of film studies. At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to confidently address a film as an expression of social, political and aesthetic values. Requirements and Prerequisites Australian Cinema is an introductory-level undergraduate university course. Learning Outcomes At the end of the course students should: 1. be able to engage with important issues of personal and collective, or national identity. 2. They should also have an introductory knowledge of the field of film studies and 3. be able to confidently address a film as an expression of social, political and aesthetic values. 4. They should be able to analyse films, showing awareness of their relation to the generic context in which they were produced; 5. apply and evaluate critical approaches to the material under analysis; 6. argue about different cinematic and cultural aspects of a film, 7. supporting the argument with evidence from the text and, where appropriate, with opinions from secondary literature; 8. apply critical skills in their analysis of film texts and 9. place Australian contemporary cinema within its cultural context. Developmental Outcomes Students should demonstrate: responsibility & accountability, independence & interdependence, goal orientation, self-confidence, resilience, appreciation of differences. Class Methodology The learning program will be a blended mode of activity: online and in class. Via DVD or online (for example, YouTube, EduTV, Kanopy, etc): will include viewing weekly ‘Australian’ feature films and doing relevant reading in the student’s own time before class. In class: will be a 2 and a half hour per week session with all the students, consisting of some relatively formal lecture input, plus student-centred seminar periods for discussions, and student presentations. Students will be expected to undertake group and individual presentations on selected relevant topics, and to deliver (preferably using PowerPoint or OHPs or video essay) and defend their analyses on a group and individual basis to the tutor and class colleagues. Students will be referred to specific chapters in recommended books and other relevant material; they will also be encouraged to draw on their own prior learning and film experience; and they will be expected to make active research use of the library, local libraries and online sources (for example but not limited to www.us.imdb.com) to prepare themselves for classes and presentations. There will also be a Global Networked Learning (SP16 GNL) collaboration with another CAPA centre, in this case with Florence. Globally Networked Learning (GNL) connects connecting students to a global network of learners to gain transnational perspectives on specific topics. This collaborative creative project will be conducted mostly online between the students at the particular centres, who will then report back on their experiences and deliver their work to their home classes. 2 3 Field Components CAPA provides the unique opportunity to learn about the city through direct, guided experience. Participation in the field activity(s) for this course is required. You will actively explore the Global City you are currently living in. Furthermore, you will have the chance to collect useful information that will be an invaluable resource for the essays/papers/projects assigned in this course. The assigned field component(s) are: Students may undertake an external event or activity as a group with their teacher. This term it may be a field trip to TBA. Students are also required, in their own time, to attend screenings of two Australian feature films at a cinema of their choice. These activities will count as graded components of the course curriculum. In addition, Sydney hosts a range of film festivals and students are encouraged to attend at least one screening at a festival during the course. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in co-curricular program activities, among which the following are suggested: Hyde Park Barracks – Resonant with session on early pioneers of Australian cinema Anzac Memorial – Resonant with session on White Male-Dominated History Films; Heroism, War and Gallipoli Sydney Observatory: Dreamtime Astronomy (Tuesdays and Thursdays) – Resonant with sessions on Indigenous filmmaking Mid-Term & Final Exams The mid-term exam consists of: Multiple choice quiz (and possibly short questions with open answers) on topics covered until that point in class (1 hour). The final exam consists of: A series of questions to be answered in short essay style responses on themes and topics covered throughout the course (2 hours). Assessment & Grading TASK PERCENTAGE SLO 1. Participation 10% 1,2,4,5,6 2.Prepare and Deliver an Australian Film class 25% 3-9 3.Mid Term Exam 15% 1,2,3,8,9 4. GNL Collaboration and Class Presentation 25% 1,2,3,4,6,9 5.End of Term Exam 25% 1-9 DESCRIPTOR ALPHA NUMERIC GPA REQUIREMENT/EXPECTATION Maximum grade: In addition to description for grade “A-“, the student shows detailed understanding of Outstanding A 93+ 4.0 materials about which he or she can show (High independent analytical ability. This means the Distinction) ability to question an issue from different perspectives and evaluate responses in an objective manner. 3 4 Student shows understanding of literature beyond the textbook/class hand-outs/class notes, and the Excellent work shows a high level of independent thought, A- 90 – 92 3.7 (Distinction) presents informed and insightful discussion and demonstrates a well-developed capacity for evaluation. Shows evidence of a capacity to generalise from the taught content, or the material in literature, or from Very good class lectures in an informed manner. Also, the B+ 87 – 89 3.3 (High Credit) work demonstrates a capacity to integrate personal reflection into the discussion and an appreciation of a range of different perspectives. Good The work is well organised and contains coherent or B 83 – 86 3.0 (Credit) logical argumentation and presentation. Good Student shows understanding of literature beyond B- 80 – 82 2.7 the textbook and/or notes, and, there is evidence of (Credit) additional reading. The work demonstrates a capacity to integrate research into the discussion and a critical Average C+ 77-79 2.3 appreciation of a range of theoretical perspectives. Also, the work demonstrates a clear (Good Pass) understanding of the question and its theoretical implications and demonstrates evidence of additional reading. Shows clear understanding and some insight into Adequate the material in the textbook and notes, but not C 73 – 76 2.0 beyond. A deficiency in understanding the material (Pass) may be compensated by evidence of independent thought and effort related to the subject matter. Shows some understanding of the material in the Below textbook and notes. A deficiency in any of the above Average C- 70-72 may be compensated by evidence of independent (Borderline 1.7 thought related to the subject matter. Pass) Inadequate Fails to show a clear understanding or much insight D+ 67 – 69 1.3 (Borderline into the material in the textbook and notes Fail) Poor 0.7 – Besides the above for D+, student has not shown D 60 – 66 (Fail) 1.0 interest or engagement in the class work or study. Poor Shows little or no understanding of any of the F <60 0 (Fail) material 4 5 Incomplete I Please see CAPA policy in the Faculty Handbook. 1. Participation Seminar participation enables you to engage with course material, to contribute your ideas to the class, as well as to learn from the ideas of others Please review the following table as a guide: Grade Discussion Reading A range Excellent: consistent contributor; Obviously has completed all readings; offers original analysis and comments; intelligently uses resultant understanding always has ideas on topics of the readings; to formulate comments and questions for takes care not to dominate discussion. the discussion. B+ Very Good: frequent, willing, and Has done most of the readings; provides able contributor; generally offers thoughtful competent analysis of the readings and comments based on the readings. applies insights from class appropriately. B / B- Satisfactory: frequent contributor; Displays familiarity with some readings basic grasp of key concepts