Outline

Overview

This unit examines the development of film genre in the context of technological and industrial change in the making, delivery and consumption of audiovisual media. The unit considers changing aesthetic, commercial, ideological and social functions of genre in terms of the needs of film industries, filmmakers and audiences. Each year two genre case studies will be covered in depth, such as the action film, the art film, the coming-of-age film, film noir, the gangster film, horror, melodrama, the musical, science fiction, the thriller, or the western.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Film Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Film Studies
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Bruce Isaacs, bruce.isaacs@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Bruce Isaacs, bruce.isaacs@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Tanya Pesa, tanya.pesa@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Lead the Class Presentations Students lead the class, write reflection on contribution, core concept.	30%	Multiple weeks	1500w word equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Early Feedback Task Students will complete an online quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 03 Due date: 15 Mar 2025 at 23:59	50 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Film Genre Multimedia Submission and Written Analysis Demonstrate and deepen understanding of central concepts and methodologies	25%	Week 07 Due date: 09 Apr 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 23 Apr 2025	1-min video + 750w analysis (1250 equiv)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Major Project: Video Essay or Written Essay Students critically analyse film genre in either a multimedia or written format.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Jun 2025	1750 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Early Feedback Task.
Due Week 3 (5%)

Students will complete an online quiz early feedback task. This formative assessment will ensure that students are engaging with the course material, are aware of assessment and attendance requirements and recognise how to seek support both within and outside the unit.

Assessment 2: Film Genre Analysis: 1 minute video + 750 word Analysis)
Due Week 7 (25%)

This assessment task provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate and deepen their understanding of the central concepts and analytical methodologies utilised in the unit. Students will submit a 1-minute multimedia clip (produced using Apple iMovie or a similar basic tool) and a 750w analysis/reflection.

Assessment 3: Lead the Class Presentation
Due multiple weeks (30%)
All groups run a “lead the class” presentation in a tutorial of their choosing - see Canvas for topics and registration.
Assessment 4: Major Project: Video Essay or Written Essay
Due week 13 (40%)

Assessment criteria

See Canvas Site.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per School and Faculty policies.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Film Genre	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Why Genre Matters: History and Theory?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Classification and Interpretation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Form and Narrative (1)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Form and Narrative (2)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Genre Audiences and Spectators	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Hybridisation and Genre 'Play'	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Case Study: Capitalist Futures (1)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Case Study: Capitalist Futures (2)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Case Study: Body Horror (1)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Case Study: Body Horror (2)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Genre and the Contemporary World	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

It is expected that you will attend all of your classes. If you cannot attend the lecture, it's essential that you listen to the recording prior to your 2-hour weekly tutorial. If you cannot attend your tutorial, please inform your tutor, who can advise you on how to catch up with the week's discussion.

This course requires you to view films set for analysis (see Canvas for full details). Please make sure you have viewed all set films in full prior to the lecture/tutorial.

Please note: this unit includes material that may be upsetting for some people. We will be discussing topics that you may find challenging and/or provocative. For a full list of films and readings, please see Canvas. If you have any concerns about engaging with this material, please contact Bruce by email: bruce.isaacs@sydney.edu.au.

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

See Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. LO1: Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the historical development of film genres, including their social, commercial, ideological and political functions.
LO2. LO2: Analyse the function of genre as a set of semiotic systems, including narrative and visual form.
LO3. L03: Engage with current scholarly approaches to genre, including theories of genre emergence and change, transnational genre forms, genre fluidity, and genre hybridization.
LO4. LO4: Demonstrate sophisticated knowledge of two genres and their application in social, cultural, political and commercial contexts.
LO5. LO5: Produce sophisticated analyses of cinema in written and audio-visual media form.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Student feedback is especially welcome. Formal and informal feedback will be sought at different stages of the semester.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

FILM2002: Film Genre, Genre Film

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links