FILM3004: Semester 2, 2025

Units FILM3004 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

FILM3004: National and Transnational Cinema

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

How might a film be associated with a national identity? What does it mean to go beyond this identity and discuss a film from a transnational perspective? How does either a national or transnational approach to a film affect our understanding of film culture and aesthetics more generally? This unit is not an introduction to global cinemas; rather, it addresses core methods and issues of Film Studies from the perspective of transnational and transcultural exchanges. Particular focus will be on how distinct cultural and geopolitical conditions allow us to rethink such heuristic frameworks as film genre, auteur, and translation/adaptation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Film Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in FILM
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Pao-chen Tang, paochen.tang@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Final Essay Individual research essay on designated topics and film sequences	45%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Nov 2025	2400 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Midterm Essay close analysis paper on designated film sequences	35%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 Oct 2025	1900 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	10 Weekly Quiz 10 x weekly pop quiz with short-answer questions	10%	Weekly	10 minutes each (equiv. 200 words)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorial Participation —weekly in-class Q&A throughout the semester	10%	Weekly	— weekly in-class Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

Detailed information can be found on Canvas.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 02	Course Introduction	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Fifth Generation Chinese Cinema I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Fifth Generation Chinese Cinema II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Generational Problem of Contemporary Chinese Film History	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Hong Kong Blues I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Hong Kong Blues II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Taiwan New Cinema I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Taiwan New Cinema II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Taiwan New Cinema III	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	The Urban Generation I	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	The Urban Generation II	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Cinema in Diaspora	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

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

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. watch and comprehend a diverse range of films from different locations
LO2. assess the merits of different aesthetic strategies in film
LO3. interpret scholarly accounts of individual films and groups of films
LO4. conceptualize and explore ideas presented in audio-visual form
LO5. conduct self-directed research that utilizes written and audio-visual materials
LO6. offer cogent and reasoned arguments to support research findings
LO7. engage in extended debate with peers in a collegiate environment

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.

Modifying assessment due dates.

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

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