Cirrus@Austlit

The unit will provide a map of the local and international flows of Australian film theory and criticism. By tracing key critical positions, personnel and institutions this unit will provide an understanding of the particularity of Australian film theory and criticism. The unit will not only interrogate the origins and evolution of Australian film theory (in film criticism and film history) but also examine its relationship to adjacent disciplines and institutions, and analyse its implications for establishing new directions of inquiry for film studies in Australia.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit students will be expected to demonstrate:

an understanding of the historical development of film theories that have had international influence;

a critical understanding of the social, political and institutional influences on the formation of Australian film theory and criticism;

an ability to define and critically engage with a variety of forms of theory and criticism as it emerges from the local;

an understanding of how the notion of criticism relates to theories of nation and genre and to other notions of postcolonialism, postmodernism, the avant-garde, popular culture and globalisation;

an understanding of the functions of theory and criticism in the Australian setting;

an ability to engage with written and visual (screen) texts in a clear and confident manner in both written and oral presentation;

an ability to develop and employ research skills in data collection in the service of advanced critical writing.