54081 Global Cinema | Spring 2021 Assessment 1

54081 Global Cinema | Spring 2021
Assessment 1
Summary
Assessment 1 is a short essay in response to one of four prompts. These questions will require close
analysis of a film from Block I of the subject (Weeks 1-4) and critical engagement with at least two
readings from Global Cinema (either Required or Extended). Please consult with your tutor if you wish
to analyse a film outside the weekly Featured Films from Global Cinema.
Length: 1200 words
In addition to writing, screenshots from films are welcome, but please include captions (Figure 1. etc.).
Due: 11.55pm, Monday, August 30, 2021 (Week 5)
Submit via Canvas > Global Cinema > Assignments > Assessment 1 > TurnItIn
Assessment Criteria Weighting
Depth of engagement with narrative, characterisation, cinematography,
sound, or other relevant cinematic techniques
35%
This means demonstrating consideration of the formal elements of the film itself. This
could include a focus on narrative organisation, the genre of the film in relation to
established genre norms, or the various compositional elements (e.g.
cinematography, mise-en-scène, editing) discussed in the weekly readings. The choice
of focus will depend on the essay prompt that you choose.
Depth of understanding of the social, cultural, and/or historical contexts for
the film(s) chosen, based on the required reading(s) from the subject
35%
In each set of Weekly Readings, at least one Required Required reading will provide
insights into the cultural contexts of the films considered for that week. This may
include the historical development of a genre in response to broader cultural
histories, or it may relate to the contexts of production and reception.
Development of argumentation, coherence of written expression, and
comprehension of chosen task prompt
20%
This criteria relates to the structure of the essay (Introduction, Body, Conclusion), the
development of ideas (e.g. key terms are properly introduced and explained and
argumentative claims are supported by evidence from the film or from readings), and
your capacity to address the specific essay prompt.
Accuracy, consistency, and relevance of scholarly referencing 10%
This simply relates to the consistent use of APA 7
th, the preferred referencing system
at UTS. This webpage also has some sample essays you can access, which show
clearly how your references should be incorporated: http://www.uts.edu.au/currentstudents/support/helps/self-help-resources/sample-written-assignments.
ASSESSMENT PROMPTS
1. CLOSE READING OF TWO SCENES
In what ways do the formal features of the film chosen contribute to constructing significant meanings
for the film overall? The formal features can include cinematography (e.g. long and medium shots,
tracking shots), mise-en-scène, sound-tracking (e.g. diegetic and non-diegetic sounds), and editing (e.g.
continuity editing, cross-cutting), among others. This question invites close readings of two scenes in the
single film that you have chosen, and it is recommended that you engage with subject readings that
discuss specific formal features of films (see also ‘Glossaries of Film Terms’ on UTS Online). This prompt
requires critical engagement with at least two readings from Block I in Global Cinema (either Required
or Extended) and involves demonstrating an understanding of the argument in these readings, rather
than simply citing the readings.
2. GENRE
(requires discussion of at least two films)
In the film that you have chosen, analyse the relationship between the formal features of the film and
the genre to which the film belongs, which may be specific to a national and/or cultural context. You
may consider some or all of the following questions:
– In what ways does the film modify or depart from conventional patterns of storytelling in the
genre to which the film belongs?
– How do the key characters in the film resemble or depart from characterisations found in other
film belonging to this genre?
– To what extent does this film combine or link together multiple genres?
Discussion of at least one other film in the genre is required. You can find films grouped by genre in the
‘Extended Viewing’ lists in the Global Cinema subject outline and in the Weekly Resources pages on
Canvas, or through films discussed in the subject readings. It is recommended that you choose one or
two key scenes to highlight the aspects of each film shaped by the genre under consideration. This
prompt requires critical engagement with at least two readings from Global Cinema (either Required or
Extended) and involves demonstrating an understanding of the argument in these readings, rather than
simply citing the readings.
3. PLACE, IDENTITY AND CHARACTER
How do places produce characters and identities in cinema? This prompt requires you to closely analyse
a film of your choice, focusing on the ways that the location(s) of the film contribute to different kinds of
social and cultural identities. As part of this, you may want to consider the ways that cinematographic
devices contribute to a place-based mise-en-scène (all the visual material contained within a frame). You
will need to engage with the academic scholarship on the cultural meanings of your chosen film, either
in the Required or Extended readings. This prompt requires critical engagement with at least two
readings from Global Cinema (either Required or Extended) and involves demonstrating an
understanding of the argument in these readings, rather than simply citing the readings.
4. NARRATIVE FORM
How does the narrative form of the film chosen contribute to its overall themes or meanings? This essay
prompt invites you to consider the relationship between the story overall and specific uses of editing
and montage (i.e. the way that shots are put together) to link causes and effects, actions and
consequences, different time periods in a character’s life, and/or social themes linked to temporal
change (e.g. coming of age narratives, narrative allegories for social transformations, and so on). For this
question, engagement with Bordwell, Thompson and Smith’s ‘Narrative Form’ is strongly recommended.
This prompt requires critical engagement with at least two readings from Global Cinema (either
Required or Extended) and involves demonstrating an understanding of the argument in these readings,
rather than simply citing the readings.