Course Title: Critique cultural works

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: OART5005C

Course Title: Critique cultural works

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.

 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6180 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Alan Woodruff

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4307

Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Anne-Marie Peard


anne-marie.peard2@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop the craft skills and knowledge required to analyse, assess and offer verbal or written critiques of television drama. This will enable you to understand current trends in the television marketplace and to review contemporary screen productions for performance media.   This course addresses the following unit of competency: CUARES502 Critique cultural works


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUARES502 Critique cultural works

Element:

1. Prepare to critique cultural works

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Confirm type of cultural works to be appraised in consultation with relevant personnel 1.2 Identify requirements and constraints that may influence critiques and plan accordingly 1.3 Discuss plans or preliminary ideas with relevant personnel as required 1.4 Identify and explore relevant sources of information on cultural works with respect for cultural protocols 1.5 Use formal and informal research techniques to access information 1.6 Organise research materials and findings for current and future use, with awareness of intellectual property considerations

Element:

2. Link research to cultural works

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Critically evaluate works and related information 2.2 Assess ways in which different influences are applied, adapted or challenged within cultural works 2.3 Develop substantiated positions to inform critical analysis of works 2.4 Discuss research findings with others and consider modifying opinions to integrate other perspectives

Element:

3. Present critiques

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Produce written or spoken texts on cultural works to meet organisational or publishing requirements 3.2 Take into account information about audience and purpose of critiques 3.3 Apply relevant cultural standards and conventions to critiques of cultural works 3.4 Present critiques in negotiated format and timeline 3.5 Seek feedback on quality of critiques from relevant personnel and note areas for future improvement

Element:

4. Maintain knowledge of trends related to domain of cultural works

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Identify and use opportunities to update and expand knowledge of influences on cultural works 4.2 Incorporate knowledge into cultural analysis and reporting

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the performance criteria. You will be able to inform your own artistic practice through the application of the concepts and theories underpinning the craft of screenwriting, and have thoroughly researched screen language and genre relating to your own work.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:

1. In-class activities:

  • lectures 
  • teacher directed group activities/projects 
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures 
  • peer teaching and class presentations 
  • group discussion 
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures 
  • analysis/critique of students’ writings


2. Out-of-class activities:

  • independent project based work 
  • writing and reading assignments 
  • online and other research 
  • independent study


Teaching Schedule

 

WEEK

CLASS CONTENT

ASSESSMENT 

 

Week 1

 

Topic: Introduction and overview

Course guide and dates for assessments.

Discussion about shows you watch and what you want to watch this semester.

Reviews: Introduction to uses.

Chose show to watch this week. We all watch the same show.

 

Week 2

 

Topic: A framework for critique part 1

Engaging with television shows in a way that is is deliberate, critical, and reflective. 

Show of the week: TBC

Personal bias, preference, and taste

Structure of a written review. (You will use this for your assignments.)

Discussion about why we read, write and pay any attention to reviews.

Homework: Bring in a review you've read/watched/listened to.

 

  

Week 3

 

Topic: A framework for critique part 2

Analysis of show of the week if you were writing a review.

Look at the 100 best eps of tv list. This is a USA list, so bring in ideas for a class list of great episodes. 

Tensions in criticism:

Entertainment vs education

Art vs commerce

Craft vs quality

Writer vs critic

Show of the week: TBC.

 

 

 

Week 4

 

Topic: Author and audience

Show of the week: TBC

Discussion of audience and author. Who is really watching the show. Is the actual audience the audience that the author ws writing for?

What shows have you seen YOUR story on the screen. What shows are written for you?

Workshopping part B of assignment

 

 

Week 5

 

Topic: Genre and  character

Show of the week: TBC - a genre show

 Workshopping assignments - bring in drafts to share

Assessment Task 1 due

 

Week 6

 

Topic: Hero's journey, tone, symbolism

 

Show of the week: TBC

 

 

 

Week 7

 

Topic: Focus on Australia - part 1

Why are Australian stories important? 

What is our cultural voice?

THEMES in Austrailan tv.

Protagonists and antagonists.

Show of the week : TBC

 

 

 

Mid-semester break: 29 March to 5 April 2024, inclusive

 

 

Week 8

 

 

Topic: Focus on Australia Part 2

Authenticity: sense of place, connection to country.

Society critiquing television, and television critiquing society.

More about themes in Australian TV.

Australian characters. What makes a show Australian?

Kid's TV

Show of the week : TBC

 

 

Week 9

 

Assessment Task 2 - Pilot episode group discussions/workshop review

 

Assessment Task 2 due

 

Week 10

 

Topic: Australian comedy

Themes, characters, tone - all the things we've talked about

 

 

Week 11

 

Topic: Australian drama

Themes, characters, tone - all the things we've talked about

 
Week 12 Panel discussion preparation

 

 

Week 13

 

Panel discussions

  

 

Week 14

 

Panel discussions

Assessment Task 3

Week 15

No scheduled class

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.

 


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 1: New Season Review

Due Week 5

Completing this task allows you to demonstrate your ability to research and critique a cultural work, in this case the season of a television series, and produce a written review to a professional standard. 

Assessment 2: Written critique of a pilot episode

Due Week 9

Completing this task allows you to deepen your knowledge of approaching and critically engaging with cultural works, in this case TV series pilots, and demonstrate this progression of knowledge and skill.

Assessment 3: Panel discussion on an Australian television series

Due Week 14

You must watch the season or selected portion of a television series and take notes. Viewing may happen individually or in a group context. You will then research and prepare for a panel discussion about the Australian television series in question. This is similar to a Comic-Con or industry style panel, complete with one moderator and a panel of guests.

 

Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.  

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview