Overview

This unit aims to encourage independent learning and research through the examination of texts drawn from film, television and new media forms. The unit emphasises individual development and the use of peer collaboration to identify and articulate the key concepts and critical debates relevant to a study of genre. Students will confront and engage with critical positions on genre covering film, television and online screen media and articulate these debates through research and analysis.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Discuss concepts of narrative, aesthetics, culture and ideology in selected screen media
  • Investigate key debates within genre that are central to an engagement with screen media
  • Analyse genre theory and demonstrate a capacity to apply this understanding to selected genre texts
  • Identify the industrial and spectatorial impact of genre, and the role played by genre hybridity within screen media texts
  • Confront a critical feature or debate within the study of genre, substantiating a position through effective research and application of critical theories

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		3.00 12 weeks 36
On-campus
Class		1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Various		7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Article Analysis Individual  10%  2,3 
Genre Scene Study Individual  40%  1,3,4 
Research Essay Individual  50%  1,2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Introduction to Genre Theory
  • Comedy
  • Drama, Emotion and Character Engagement
  • Melodrama
  • The Western
  • The Musical
  • Science Fiction and the Post-human
  • Reality Television
  • Documentary
  • Horror
  • Research Methodologies

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.