Course Outline

CMN203 Screen Media and Pop Culture

Course Coordinator:Phoebe Macrossan (pmacrossan@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course develops your understanding of film narrative and genre film. You will explore film genres and their aesthetic, technological and industrial imperatives, as well as broader social and cultural contexts. You will examine a breadth of films, genres, and movements, contemplate how technological developments continue to transform filmmaking, and apply this knowledge to your own screen production practice.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 10 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

Fiction Filmmaking

Narrative Film Conventions

Film Genres, Cycles and Histories

Film Narrative

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify and understand screen genre, aesthetics and production techniques using correct screen terminology Knowledgeable
2 Apply relevant codes, conventions, and aesthetics in the production of a creative work. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
3 Critically analyse screen texts in relation to aesthetics, narrative, characterisation, and theme Knowledgeable
Empowered
4 Identify and analyse genres and creative approaches in regard to relevant cultural, historical, political and industrial contexts Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Assumed knowledge/experience in screen language and screen production practice at an intermediate level.

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

By Week 3 of this course you will have received in class feedback on your knowledge and understanding of course content.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 25%
10-shot transcription
Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Oral Individual 40%
10-shot storyboard and 5 minute reflective presentation
Week 10 In Class
All 3 Essay Individual 35%
1500 words (+/- 10%) (word length includes in-text referencing and excludes your reference list and appendices)
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Scene Transcription
Goal:
To demonstrate and develop your knowledge and analysis of genre and narrative film codes and conventions, as well as screen terminology, language and aesthetics.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This task involves transcribing 10 consecutive shots from a film screened in the course and identifying the codes and conventions that situate that film within a specific genre/movement. Submit transcription as a Word doc or PDF.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstrated knowledge of narrative film codes and genre conventions
1
2
Demonstrated knowledge of screen terminology, language and aesthetics
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Storyboard and Reflective Presentation
Goal:
To demonstrate and develop your ability to effectively utilise screen production and aesthetic techniques, and implement key aspects of a film genre/movement.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Building on Task 1, you are required to create a 10-shot storyboard that reinterprets your transcribed scene as a different genre/movement. You will then present your storyboard and critically reflect on your creative process in class in Week 10. Submit storyboard and presentation slides in PDF including in-text citations and a corresponding reference list in Harvard referencing style. Minimum of three (3) academic references.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application: Effective incorporation of genre codes and conventions in creative work
1 2
2
Knowledge: Knowledge of screen language and aesthetics, including the correct use of screen and production terminology
1 2 4
3
Analysis: Effective analysis, evaluation, depth and quality of critical reflection
4
4
Communication: Quality and precision of spelling, grammar, punctuation, academic structure and referencing conventions
3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Essay
Goal:
To demonstrate and develop your research skills, your ability to think critically, your academic writing
ability, and your aptitude for textual analysis.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will produce a 1500-word essay that directly addresses your chosen essay topic (3 choices available) and makes a central cohesive argument. Essay should be formatted as follows: Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1.5 double line spacing. Harvard referencing style. Include in-text citations and a corresponding reference list. Essay must include a minimum of six (6) academic references. Submit as Word .doc or PDF format.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of popular narrative film codes, genre conventions and aesthetics
1 2
2
Analysis: Effective analysis through the production of a structured and clear academic argument
4
3
Research: Ability to locate and evaluate information from a variety of sources and use this to develop and support an argument.
3 4
4
Communication: Effective use of language, structure, formatting and referencing conventions
3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: