Overview

This unit encourages 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 the Australian screen. Students will confront and engage with critical positions covering film, television and online screen media and articulate these debates through research and analysis.

Requisites

Prerequisites
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies

AND
50 credit points
OR
MDA10018 Content Creator Lab OR JOU10007 Media Content Creation

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Identify the influence of key chronological and contextual events in the development of Australian screen media
  • Analyse the cultural and social impact of Australian screen media in terms of narrative and mise-en-scene
  • Interpret Australian screen texts as they relate to national cinema, and the notion of cultural identity
  • Compose a clear analysis of a feature of Australian screen media through selected readings and screenings
  • Confront a critical feature or debate within the scope of Australian screen media, 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		3.67 12 weeks 44
Unspecified Activities
Various		8.29 7 weeks 58
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Oral Assessment Individual  10%  1,2,3 
Research Essay Individual  50%  1,2,3,4,5 
Visual Diary/Journal Individual  40%  1,2,3,4 

Content

  • National Cinema Theory
  • Silent Australian Cinema
  • The Rise of Television and the Vincent Report
  • The Film Renaissance
  • The ‘AFC’ Genre and Heritage Cinema
  • Foundation Mythologies
  • Gothic Australian Cinema
  • Australian Comedy
  • Landscape, Language and Australian Screens
  • Film, Television and the Homosocial
  • Global and Post-national Australian Screens

Study resources

Reading materials

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