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ATS1305 · Introduction to film studies

Official Handbook

2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 1Film, Screen and Culture

Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTC

Overview

This introductory unit aims to acquaint you with basic principles of film studies, including film theory and history. Topics to be discussed include: film narrative and formal analysis, film sound and editing, film genre and authorship, art cinema and national cinemas, documentary and experimental film practice. Attention will be paid to recent theories of film including those which address the socio-political significance of the medium and the ways in which it may reinforce conceptions of social and sexual identity. Film texts for exploration include those from Australian, American, European and Asian cinemas.

Areas of study: Film and screen studies Screen

Offerings

CampusTeaching periodMode
CaulfieldFirst semesterTeaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS)
ClaytonFirst semesterTeaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS)

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#AssessmentTypeWeightHurdle
1Film Form AnalysisProject24%
2Research EssayWritten58%
3Online TestQuiz / Test18%

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

  1. Acquired a sense of the scope of film studies.
  2. Demonstrated an understanding of film form and various film genres.
  3. Demonstrated an understanding of broad cultural and historical developments in film studies.
  4. Developed skills in the analysis of film texts in relation to contemporary film theoretical debates.
  5. Developed an ability to recognise and evaluate critical arguments.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

ActivityDuration
Tutorials24 hours
Lectures11 hours
Workshops1 hours

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