Units / ATS1305
ATS1305 · Introduction to film studies
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 1Film, Screen and Culture
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
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
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Caulfield | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching 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.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Film Form Analysis | Project | 24% | — |
| 2 | Research Essay | Written | 58% | — |
| 3 | Online Test | Quiz / Test | 18% | — |
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
- Acquired a sense of the scope of film studies.
- Demonstrated an understanding of film form and various film genres.
- Demonstrated an understanding of broad cultural and historical developments in film studies.
- Developed skills in the analysis of film texts in relation to contemporary film theoretical debates.
- 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.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
| Lectures | 11 hours |
| Workshops | 1 hours |
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