Contemporary Approaches to Screen Studies

Undergraduate

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 3008
Course ID icon
Course ID
201038
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course level icon
Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

The study of cinema as a field of scholarly inquiry affects the way films are studied, and the language of film criticism more generally. This advanced level course surveys foundational approaches in Screen Studies that have helped define the meaning of cinema, from the rise of film theory in the 1960s-1970s through to the present day.  Topics covered include: psychoanalytic and feminist-psychoanalytic studies of the cinema, feminist film theory, ideological film theory, critical race studies and indigenous studies, the “affective turn”, sound theory, ecological theory, cinematic ethics and current trends.   Screening a diverse range of films in concert with important thinkers in the field, this upper-level course provides the essential ingredients to develop an informed, intelligent and creative approach to Screen Studies.   

  • Cinema and the Social
  • Embodiment and Affect Theory
  • Current Trends: Cinema and the Non-Human

Course learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse a range of historic and contemporary film examples in dialogue with foundational trends in film theory and contemporary screen criticism
  • Engage with, critically analyse, evaluate and apply a range of secondary sources as well as different film theoretical perspectives, from the 1970s through to the present day
  • Conduct advanced, independent research projects on issues in contemporary film and media
  • Deliver theoretically informed analyses of films in written, audio-visual and creative forms
  • Communicate effectively with classmates about key critical theories and methodologies in Screen
  • Use technologies as appropriate to complete assessments

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Availability

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/08/2027
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 03/09/2027
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 17/09/2027
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 15/10/2027

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Group 1

Class number
Class number 64592
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
14 Oct - 4 Nov Thursday 3:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
5 Aug - 23 Sep Thursday 3:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 205
Class number
Class number 64593
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Thursday 11:10am - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C6-26
14 Oct - 4 Nov Thursday 11:10am - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C6-26
Class number
Class number 64594
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
2 Aug - 20 Sep Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East SANTOS, G13
11 Oct - 1 Nov Monday 2:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East SANTOS, G13

Adelaide City Campus West

Group 1

Class number
Class number 64595
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
11 Oct - 1 Nov Monday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Lewis O'Brien, LB2-10
2 Aug - 20 Sep Monday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Lewis O'Brien, LB2-10
Class number
Class number 64596
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West AHMS, 4050A
14 Oct - 4 Nov Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West AHMS, 4050A

Fee calculator

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If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Social Work program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.