KPB315 Global Screen Studies

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This course critically examines global cinema and films from a selection of non-Hollywood cinemas within their historical, aesthetic, production and cultural contexts. National movies are shaped by unique contexts — while non-Hollywood cinemas are responding to the challenges in the contemporary screenscape in complex ways. This course addresses critical writing, research and analytical skills required to evaluate and problematise the history, aesthetics, production and cultural contexts of key global cinemas — and how transnational forces shape ‘local’ screen content. ‘Global cinema’ has been responsible for film language and form innovations in contrast to the conventions of classical Hollywood cinema that have shaped global film making practice. However, as systems of production, distribution and consumption become globalised, traditional understandings of national production are being reconstituted.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Problematise the historical, aesthetic, production and cultural contexts of a range of world cinemas in the context of an increasingly global screen industry.
2. Critique and examine Australian screen industries in terms of their national and international contexts.
3. Evaluate key film texts in relation to particular global screen industries and relevant critical issues.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is delivered through an integrated series of lectures, tutorials, and screenings. Key concepts and approaches will be introduced and illustrated in formal lectures. These will be supplemented with discussion in weekly tutorials that will also be directed at deeper understanding of content, and supporting student work-in-progress on assessment tasks. There will be screenings during the semester, either screened in-class or delivered via online streaming. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback that helps you improve your learning in some or all of the following ways:

• discussion with and feedback from teaching staff about concepts and approaches to assessments
• a range of formative exercises which involve analysis and in-class discussion
• feedback from peers during class activities
• formative feedback from the teaching staff about assessments, which is provided individually on criterion referenced grading sheets, and in general terms to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website.

Assessment

Overview

There are two individual assessments for this unit, each worth 50%. The first is an academic essay where you demonstrate your ability to analyse and critique issues relating to global cinema. The second assessment task — a critical review — allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of topics covered in the unit; and your ability to  gather and evaluate evidence to develop an informed position on films screened in class. Preparation for assessment tasks will occur in tutorials and lectures during the semester.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Canvas site for this unit. This includes information about assignment submission, late assignments and assignment extensions.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Essay

You will write an academic critical essay on issues related to national and international cinema and the creative practitioners involved.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Critical Review

The Critical Review has two parts. The first part requires the viewing, analysis, and contextualisation of excerpts from key films screened in class. The second part requires you to write an essay reviewing and evaluating one of the key issues / concerns raised in the unit.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Badley, L. et al. (Eds) (2006) Traditions in world cinema. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Uni Press.

Barlet, Olivier (2016). Contemporary African Cinema. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press.

Ezra, E. and Rowden, T (Eds). (2006) Transnational cinema: the film reader. London: Routledge.

Fox, Alistair, Marie, Michel, Moine, Raphaëlle, Radner, Hilary. (2014). A Companion to Contemporary French Cinema. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.

Grant, C. & Kuhn, A. (2006) Screening world cinema: a screen reader. London: Routledge.

Ko, Mika. (2010) Japanese Cinema and Otherness: Nationalism, Multiculturalism and the Problem of Japaneseness. New York, London: Routledge

Ryan, Mark David and Goldsmith, Ben (Eds.). (2017). Australian Screen in the 2000s. New York, London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Smith, Paul Julian (2014) Mexican Screen Fiction: Between Cinema and Television. 1st ed. Cambridge: Polity.

Wood, Mary P. (2007) Contemporary European Cinema. London: Hodder Arnold.

Zhang, Yingjin (2012) A Companion to Chinese Cinema. Malden, Mass: Wiley-Blackwell.

Risk Assessment Statement

All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
2. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
4. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, and work with integrity across creative practice networks.
   Relates to: ULO3