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Unit of study_

CAMI5001: Narrative Elements

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides you with a strong basis in the processes associated with the conceptualisation and development of a media based artwork. This could be a narrative based film, an experimental moving image work, an interactive project or any combination of media production that explores the possibilities of current moving image and media forms. During this course you will be exposed to a range of film screenings, interactive projects and moving image-based artwork. These viewings are intended to expose you to a wide range of filmmaking practices from around the world and to encourage discussion, debate and creative exploration. Through lectures, tutorial, seminars, screenings and class exercises you are provided with a historical and conceptual framework in which to conceive of and develop a creative project. You must write and direct these projects yourself and/or collaboratively as part of a production team. Projects are to be supported by a set of professional standard production documents and the presentation of seminars related to the development and production of the work.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CAMI5001
Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
CAMI5002
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Stefan Popescu, stefan.popescu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Stefan Popescu, stefan.popescu@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Robards, andrew.robards@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Peer assessment
n/a
10% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2020 at 09:00

Closing date: 09 Jun 2020
1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO4
Assignment Project documentation
Documentation
15% Formal exam period
Due date: 17 Jun 2020 at 09:00

Closing date: 19 Jun 2020
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO6
Assignment group assignment Creative project
Project
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 24 Jun 2020 at 09:00

Closing date: 26 Jun 2020
7-10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Seminar presentation
Seminar presentation
15% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2020 at 09:00

Closing date: 21 Apr 2020
7 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Screening and discussion of a range of moving image narrative forms; 2. Course introduction and review of possible project outcomes; 3. Project conceptualisation group exercise Studio (3 hr)  
Week 02 1. Elements of narrative 1 – story forms; 2. Creating a Universe and setting rules; 3. Beginnings, middles and ends Studio (3 hr)  
Week 03 Project concept pitch Studio (3 hr)  
Week 04 1. Elements of narrative 2 – character assassination(s); 2. Construction and identification, understanding character in relation to narrative form; 3. The elusive “I”; 4. Introduction to class based research project Studio (3 hr)  
Week 05 1. Story space: understanding the traditions of screen space; 2. Mise en scéne & montage and tone Studio (3 hr)  
Week 07 1. Sound – understanding conventional uses of sound in the filmic space; 2. Spatiality of sound, muti-channel; 3. Sound and image Studio (3 hr)  
Week 08 1. Alternate platforms: from passive spectatorship to interactivity; 2. Considering the ontological shift of the image as interface; 3. Gaming, apps, youtube, installation, video art, performance art Studio (3 hr)  
Week 09 Narrative and documentary Studio (3 hr)  
Week 10 Documentary, fiction, reality TV, hyper-reality and the spaces between. Studio (3 hr)  
Week 11 Contemporary screen spaces Studio (3 hr)  
Week 12 Screenings/crit - students present rough cuts and works in progress for feedback in class environment Studio (3 hr)  
Week 13 Screenings/crit - students present rough cuts and works in progress for feedback in class environment Studio (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit of study can be accessed through the library e-reserve and the canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. conceptualise, plan and complete a major moving image based project that engages with the contemporary media environment
  • LO2. critically analyse and problem solve through the production process
  • LO3. use a range of current production tools to create creative moving image works
  • LO4. critically understand a range of different approaches to moving image practice and engage with related theoretical and cultural debates
  • LO5. use appropriate technologies and media to effectively gather information
  • LO6. critically evaluate aesthetics, information & narratives in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.