Units
Film and TV History
Unit code: KPB109
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Television and film are among the most influential forms of representation developed over the past century. An appreciation of the history and influence of narrative styles and industrial movements emphasizes the important changes in technology and aesthetics that have contributed to making these media potent cultural forces. The history of narrative and movements needs to be considered alongside the production and viewing of television and film as entertainment, information and art.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Film and television productions have been the most popular forms of entertainment. An introductory history of film and television outlines key developments in film and television production, distribution, and exhibition systems, and their significance in the contemporary digital and new media era. Using representative films and TV programs, innovations in film and television forms are contextualized by taking into account technological, industrial, cultural, economic, and political conditions at the time and place of their production and release; and their audience appeal and entertainment qualities, then and now.
Aims
The unit considers key developments in film and television production, distribution, and exhibition systems and cultures, and their significance in the contemporary digital and new media era. Using representative films and television programs, an aim of this unit is to develop thematic approaches contextualising innovations in film and television forms, taking into account the time and place they were made, as well as their audience appeal, popularity, and entertainment functions (then and now). In the new media era, another aim is to increase awareness of key turning points in moving image and sound technologies, from their origins to the contemporary digital media era, to highlight the importance of these technologies in the on-going development of film and TV 'languages' and associated entertainment functions.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Apply knowledge of appropriate concepts and terms from film and TV 'languages' when discussing films and television productions;
2. Outline key developments in selected film and television production, distribution, and exhibition systems and cultures;
3. Critically analyse an historically-based issue or theme related to an innovation in a film/TV production / distribution system;
4. Produce work that adheres to accepted standards of academic quality and/or professional accountability;
5. Employ oral communication to explain historical contexts for film /TV programs.
6. Produce a programming catalogue on a theme/issue/technology justifying the inclusion of a representative range of films/TV programs in an exhibition.
Content
This unit addresses content such as technological innovations as creative practice (eg. image, sound, and screening technologies); social and cultural conditions; economic, industrial, and political developments; and resulting audience responses. Each week a different topic is introduced based on a key development in a film and television production / distribution system or culture; the ongoing evolution of film and television 'languages' in the digital new media era is contextualised.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit is delivered through a series of thematically-linked lectures, screenings, and tutorials. Lectures introduce key developments and innovations in the history of film and TV. Cinematic/ Televisual terms and concepts are introduced in lectures and applied in tutorials.
Assessment
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.
Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.
Grading Scale - You will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scaleFORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Description: You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester.
Weight 0%
Assessment name:
Presentation
Description:
In oral form, historically contextualise a film /TV program as an example of an innovation in film/TV production / culture / technology.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 4, 5
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
As scheduled
Assessment name:
Examination (written)
Description:
Assessment of historically-based issues relating to innovations in film /TV production / distribution.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid semester
Assessment name:
Exhibition
Description:
A representative selection of films/TV productions on a theme / issue accompanied by a justification for their inclusion.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 4, 6
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Required Text(s):
Dixon, Wheeler W., & Foster Gwendolyn A. (2008) A Short History of Film. New Brunswick NJ.: Rutgers University Press. Full text available from Ebook Library via the QUT Library Online Catalogue.
Recommended References:
Butler, Jeremy G. (2006) Television: Critical Methods and Applications (3rd edition). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bordwell, David & Thompson, Kirsten (2008) Film Art: An Introduction (8th edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Cook, David A. (2004) A History of Narrative Film (4th edition). New York: Norton.
Encyclopedia of Television (1st or 2nd edition). Newcomb, Horace (Ed) (1997) Encyclopedia of Television (1st edition: Available as a free online e-Book). Newcomb, Horace (Ed) (2004) Encyclopedia of Television (2nd edition). Chicago: Museum of Broadcast Communications / Fitzroy Dearborn.
Smith, Anthony & Paterson, Richard (Eds) (1998). Television: An International History (2nd edit). New York: Oxford University Press.
Thompson, Kristin & Bordwell, David (Eds) (2009) Film History: An Introduction. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 21-Sep-2012
