59302 Film and Popular Culture 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Handbook description

This subject examines texts and genres from popular culture (e.g. film, television, new media and the web) in order to develop both English language proficiency and a critical approach to cultural phenomena. This subject aims to develop students' capacity to interpret and communicate in English about elements of English-speaking cultures.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students will:

1. be aware of key genres of popular culture

2. be able to compare Western, English speaking genres with those of their home countries

3. demonstrate a critical understanding of the effects of mediated experience

4. have developed their English language proficiency in all four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing

5. have developed their own creative and imaginative capacities.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Writing Task - Description

Assessment Item 2: Writing Task - Analytical Comparison

Assessment Item 3: Reading, Viewing, Writing, Task - Discussion Essay

Assessment Item 4: Speaking - Oral Presentation

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, you must

· attempt, complete, and submit each assessment task;

· earn an overall total of 50 marks or more for the subject; and

· attend 80% of the subject.

Indicative references

Daily newspapers, including Sydney Morning Herald - paper and online versions

Cope, B. & Kalantzis M. (2000) A place in the sun: re-creating the Australian Way of Life Sydney, NSW: HarperCollins

Edgar-Hunt, R., Marland, J. & Rawle, S. (2010) The language of film, Lausanne: Ava Publishing

Hodkinson, P. (2011) Media, culture and society: an introduction, Los Angeles: Sage

Kessler, L. & McDonald, D. (2000) When words collide: a media writer's guide to grammar and style 5th edn. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

Vasta, E. & Castles, S. (1996) The teeth are smiling: The persistence of racism in multicultural Australia Sydney, NSW: Allen & Unwin

Zinsser, W. (1998) On writing well: the classic guide to writing nonfiction 6th edn New York, NY: HarperCollins