FTV3040 - Australian film studies

Leader(s): Therese Davis and Deane Williams

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will enable students to critically evaluate the notion of nationalism as it emerges in Australian Film. Initially, the unit will explore traditional theoretical constructions of nationalism before considering the contemporary reconfiguring of nationalism. This reconfiguring will be performed in relation to discourses such as policy arrangements in relation to political machinations, auteur constructions, the tradition of landscape cinema, race relations, multiculturalism, beach culture, the social, globalism, marketing, distribution, gender and criticism. The course will employ feature, documentary and short film as well as contemporary and archival audio-visual texts.

Objectives

This unit aims to introduce students to the study of film and television through a focus on a specific national culture and industry. The unit aims to enable students to form a critical relationship with Australian film and to engage with debates relating to national and international film and televisual culture. Students will be required

1. to critically examine a range of film texts as representations of Australian national experience,
2. to develop an understanding of the Australian film industries in relation to theories of globalisation,
3. to analyse the impact of government policy and further economic and political constraints on the national film industries,
4. to develop skills in the textual analysis of texts in relation to contemporary reformulations of nationalism;
5. to display an ability to critically engage with written and filmic texts in a clear and confident manner in both written and oral presentation; and
6. to develop a deeper understanding of theoretical debates pertaining to the idea of national cinema.

Assessment

Visual Test (1500 words) : 40%
Essay (3000 words) : 60%

Contact hours

1 x 1-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour tutorial, 1 x 2 hour screening

Prohibitions

VSA2040