Course syllabus

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SEMESTER 2, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor:  Assoc Prof Misha Kavka

 email - m.kavka@auckland.ac.nz
 office - HSB (building 201E), rm 526
 telephone - (09) 923 5351

 

Course delivery:

Lectures:  Wednesdays 12-2pm, Owen G Glenn (building 260), rm 098

Tutorials: 1 hour per week, starting in Week 2 (please see timetable and room details below)

Screening (optional): Tuesdays 3pm, Engineering Block I, rm 439

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 

Tutors/GTAs:

Emma Blackett (coordinator): ebla035@aucklanduni.ac.nz, office hour 11am-12pm Tuesdays and 2-3pm Thursdays, HSB room 528

Matthew Allan: mall745@aucklanduni.ac.nz, office hour 2-3pm Wednesdays, HSB rm 525

Reuben Fong: rfon572@aucklanduni.ac.nz, office hour 2-3pm Wednesdays, HSB rm 528

Emily Holland: ehol728@aucklanduni.ac.nz, office hour 12-1pm Tuesdays, HSB rm 525

 

Course Description:              

This course provides an introduction to the formal techniques and conventions of feature filmmaking and presents some of the main traditions of film criticism. Over the semester students will become acquainted with the basic concepts of Film Studies, gain an appreciation for the depth and richness of narrative film, and acquire critical and analytical viewing skills. Drawing on films from different periods, there will be an emphasis on six main technical elements of film construction: storytelling, editing, sound, cinematography, point-of-view and mise-en-scène. In order to place these elements in context and investigate them in relation to each other, students will study a set of films to gain a comparative perspective, while acquiring technical vocabulary for the study of film. Furthermore, there will be considerable emphasis placed on the importance of developing skills for writing about film. The tutoring and assessment processes of this course are designed to enable students to achieve and demonstrate their critical and analytical capabilities within the discipline. The successful completion of this course demonstrates that students have acquired the skills necessary to undertake film courses at Stage II. It is also the first step in acquiring the academic and literacy competencies that enable students to meet the Media, Film and Television Graduate Profile by their final year of undergraduate study.

 

Course outcomes:

A student who successfully completes this course will be able to

  • learn how to view films with an understanding of their historical, industrial and/or social background
  • understand the key concepts of film studies as well as the main traditions of film criticism
  • understand film as an aesthetic construct consisting of various formal elements
  • carry out film analysis based on a strong understanding of film techniques and their effects
  • acquire skills related to writing critically about film

 

How to succeed in film studies:

Every course consists of several components. Film courses typically consist of the following: LECTURES
READING ASSIGNMENTS
FILM SCREENINGS / VIEWINGS
TUTORIALS
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS & FINAL EXAM
Students substantially increase the quality of their performance and therefore their grade when they commit to all of these components. Students should ensure that they view each assigned film prior to that week's lecture, and that they complete readings and class exercises prior to each week's tutorial. Regular attendance at lectures and tutorials is important, and attendance at tutorials receives an assessment grade.

 

Assessment Summary:

Weekly exercises, incl. in-class and LaunchPad exercises: 10%

Film analysis (800 words): 15%

Film essay (1500 words): 25%

Final exam (two hours): 50%

 

Prescribed Text (available from UBIQ):

The Film Experience: An Introduction. Patricia White and Timothy Corrigan, New York: Bedford/St.Martins, 5th Edition, 2018.
andLaunchPad Solo for The Film Experience (e-learning resource*)*Please note that you can buy the textbook and LaunchPad Solo access together, or you can opt to buy one or the other separately. It's economical to buy them together, though, since the textbook plus LaunchPad costs $5 more than the textbook alone.

Recommended Texts:

Recommended readings in the form of articles or chapters related to specific films will be made available on Canvas under 'Reading Lists'.

Additional learning resources:

Lecture recordings: recorded each week and posted on Canvas (see Modules)

Lecture slides: posted on Canvas after each week's lecture (see Modules)

Launchpad: an electronic learning resource attached to The Film Experience textbook

 

Workload and submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension, but please do so before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension will be penalised by loss of marks – check assignment information for details.

Course summary:

Date Details Due