This course examines the relationship between history and the moving image in two ways: by studying the history of film as well as history on film, from the beginnings of cinema to the ever-present screens of today. It begins with an analysis of the rise of Hollywood as an industrial and cultural institution, and explores the complex relationship and interaction between American and European cinema during the 20th century. At the same time, the course considers how history has been represented on screen, considering questions of authenticity, historical and national contexts, genre and production frameworks. From the Lumière brothers to the sword-and-sandal epics of Classical Hollywood and the historical reimaginings of Netflix series, we will investigate what formal strategies films and television series employ to depict historical events, places and the people within them.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the historical context of cinema emerging as both an art form and a cultural product;
2. discuss the relation between American and European cinematic traditions;
3. appraise the complex relationship of cinematic history, and history as represented on screen; and
4. critically reflect upon how film form and different cinematic styles influence our perception of history.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction / Silent Film and Modernity
2	Postmodern Sensibilities
3	French New Wave
4	Heritage Film	Close Scene Analysis (take home test)
5	Film as Historical Evidence
6	Film Feminism and History
7	Untold Film History
8	The Present in the Past
9	Weimar Germany on Screen
10	Feeling the Past
11	National Past(s)
12	Historical TV for the Present	Essay

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Essay (2000 words)	45 %	1,2,3,4
Close analysis (1000 words) - take home test	25 %	1,4
In-class group presentation (15 mins)	20 %	1,3,4
Participation	10 %	2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

General participation includes attendance, pre-class preparation (including meeting your buddie group and short weekly film/text notes) and contribution during class. This assessment applies to all components of the course (workshop, screenings and seminar). Successful participation depends on you being in class, having viewed the film and read all required readings, so that you can contribute meaningfully to class discussions.

In order to facilitate good group communication, you will be part of a buddie group (3 students). As part of your independent study time, your group is expected to “meet” (or Zoom/chat/FaceTime, choose your own adventure) to discuss your film/text notes (details in week 1). By the end of your chat, you should have agreed on some key points/ takeaways and what questions these raise (or were left unanswered). With the help of your notes, you will then be well prepared to jump into the discussion started by another group. 

In class,  you do not need to know the answer to a question, or have the “right” response to a prompt: you must simply be willing to risk your own ideas and thoughts, whether in small group discussions or with the whole class, and to engage respectfully and critically with the thoughts and ideas of others. 

If you are someone who does not find it easy to talk in tutorials, make it a personal goal to say something each week or ask a question. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be. If there is something your lecturer can do to make it easier for you to contribute, please let them know.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 1

Essay (2000 words)

A 2,000 word research essay providing a detailed analysis and well-researched discussion of one (or more) of the films screened in the course. A list of essay topics will be posted approximately 4 weeks before the due date on the Wattle site. As a research essay it will require you to demonstrate having consulted at least 6 academic sources (both printed and online) in its preparation. The essay will be assessed according to coherence of argument, depth of research, originality of approach, appropriate use of screen studies terminology and clarity of expression. A rubric will be made available on Wattle.

Word limit: 2,000 words

Value: 45%

Assessment Task 2

Close analysis (1000 words) - take home test

Employing the analytical skills acquired in the course to this point, students will be asked to narratively contextualise and then closely analyse a brief sequence from one of the films already screened in the course (weeks 1-4). You will need to develop an argument about how selected aspects of the mise-en-sce`ne, cinematography, editing, and/or sound help underscore themes and ideas developed in the sequence, as well as the film as a whole. You are not required to discuss all formal elements in the sequence; select the ones relevant to your argument. The analysis will be assessed according to coherence of argument, choice of examples, analysis of the formal aspects of the sequence, appropriate use of screen studies terminology and clarity of expression. This is about how you interpret the film, no research is necessary.

Detailed instructions will be available on Wattle by the end of Week 3.

Word limit: 1,000 words

Value: 25%

Assessment Task 3

In-class group presentation (15 mins)

This assessment is a 15 minute group presentation, plus 20 minutes of guided discussion/activities, starting in week 2. The presentation topics will be available in Week 1, and will vary per week and theme, focusing either on the film of the week, or the historical period of its context. The presentation should demonstrate your understanding of the formal properties of films or the historical period it depicts (or is made in) drawing on the readings of the course and beyond.

Presentations and individual scripts/notes will need to be uploaded to Turnitin prior to the presentation.

Value: 20%

Due date: once during the semester

Assessment Task 4

Participation

General participation includes attendance, pre-class preparation (including meeting your buddie group and short weekly film/text notes) and contribution during class. This assessment applies to all components of the course (workshop, screenings and seminar). Successful participation depends on you being in class, having viewed the film and read all required readings, so that you can contribute meaningfully to class discussions.

In order to facilitate good group communication, you will be part of a buddie group (3 students). As part of your independent study time, your group is expected to “meet” (or Zoom/chat/FaceTime, choose your own adventure) to discuss your film/text notes (details in week 1). By the end of your chat, you should have agreed on some key points/ takeaways and what questions these raise (or were left unanswered). With the help of your notes, you will then be well prepared to jump into the discussion started by another group. 

In class, you do not need to know the answer to a question, or have the “right” response to a prompt: you must simply be willing to risk your own ideas and thoughts, whether in small group discussions or with the whole class, and to engage respectfully and critically with the thoughts and ideas of others. 

If you are someone who does not find it easy to talk in tutorials, make it a personal goal to say something each week or ask a question. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be. If there is something your lecturer can do to make it easier for you to contribute, please let them know.

Value: 10%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students