THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
Course outline
Part I
Programme Title
: Bachelor of Education (Honours)(English Language)(Five-year
Full-time)
Course Title
: Introduction to Film Studies
Course code
: ENG 3273
Department
: Literature and Cultural Studies
Credit Points
:3
Contact Hours
: 39
Pre-requisite(s)
: Nil
Medium of Instruction : English
Level
: 3
For Second Major (English Language): Elective Course
For Minor (English Language): Available
___________________________________________________________________________
Part II
1. Synopsis:
This course introduces participants to contemporary film culture and cinematic trends in
the English-speaking world. High-impact English-language films made since the start of
the 1990s will be studied for participants’ exposure to basic knowledge and skills in film
study, for the improvement of their analytical and critical thinking skills, and for
exploring ways of using film in their future teaching.
2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completing this course, students will be able to:
CILO1 demonstrate an understanding of the genre features of film; [PILO2 (SK2)]
CILO2 demonstrate an understanding of the way film communicates meaning.
[PILO2 (SK2)]
3. Course Intended Language Learning Outcomes (CILLOs)
Upon successful completing this course, students will be able to:
CILLO1 analyse a film using appropriate terminology and critical vocabularies drawn
from Cinema/Film Studies. [PILO2 (SK2) & PILO3 (SK3)]
4. Content, CILOs and Teaching & Learning Activities
Course Content
CILOs/
CILLOs
Suggested Teaching
& Learning Activities
Defining film, film language (editing, shot types,
narrative structures, music, lighting)
CILO1
CILLO1
Lecture, tutorials,
group work, students’
PPT presentation,
1
Gender theories, queer theories, feminisms and
masculinities, postmodernism, globalization and
culture, film festivals, transnationalism,
independent film making, Hollywood influence
on Asia, Asian influence on Hollywood,
contemporary East Asian cinemas, horror
studies, city in films, love/romance in films, star
image and fans culture
5. Assessment Tasks
Assessment Tasks
online discussion
Lecture, tutorials,
group work, students’
PPT presentation,
online discussion
CILO1 & 2
CILLO1
Weighting (%)
CILOs /
CILLOs
CILO1
CILLO1
a. Students are asked to watch a film of their choice
during the Hong Kong International Film
Festival that year and write a critical
response/reflection on it in 800 words.
20
b. A group presentation on an assigned topic
related to and extending the lecture focus.
30
CILO1 & 2
CILLO1
c. Individual end-of-term essay in 1500 words on
one of the given topics
50
CILO1 & 2
CILLO1
6. Required Text
Thomas Caldwell (2005). Film Analysis Handbook Essential Guide to Understanding,
Analysing and Writing on Film. Insight Publications, VIC, Australia.
(This text is essential and is available for purchase from the Campus Bookshop.)
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7. Recommended Reading
Bernardi, D. (Ed). (2008). The persistence of whiteness: Race and contemporary Hollywood
cinema. New York: Routledge.
Berry. C. (2006). China on screen: Cinema and nation. New York: Columbia University Press.
Boggs, J. M. and D. W. Petrie (2004), The Art of Watching Films, Boston: MacGrawHill.
Bordwell, D (1985), Narration in the Fiction Film. Madison, Wisconsin: University of
Wisconsin Press.
Bordwell, D. and Thompson, K. (2001). Film Art: an Introduction (6th ed.). New York et al:
McGraw Hill.
Braester, Y. & Tweedie, J. (Eds.)(2010). Cinema at the City’s Edge: Film and urban networks
in East Asia. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
Branston, G. (2000). Cinema and Cultural Modernity. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Browning, M. (2009). Stephen King On The Big Screen. Bristol/Chicago: Intellect.
Bywater, T. and T. Sobchack (1989), An introduction to Film Criticism: Major Critical
Approaches to Narrative Film, New York: Longman.
Butler, A. M. (2005). Film studies. Harpenden: Pocket Essentials.
Chapman, J. (2003). Cinemas of the World: Film and Society from 1895 to the Present.
London: Reaktion Books
Cherry, B. (2009). Horror. London: Routledge.
Choi, J. (2009). Horror to the extreme: Changing boundaries in Asian cinema. Hong Kong:
Hong Kong University Press.
Corrigan, T. J. (2007). A Short Guide to Writing About Film, 6th Edition. New York, Pearson:
Longman.
Dickinson, K. (Ed.)(2003). Movie Music, The Film Reader. London: Routledge.
Dixon, W. W. & Foster, G. A. (2008). A Short History of Film. New Brunswick, New Jersey:
Rutgers University Press.
Donnelly, K. J. (Ed.)(2001). Film Music Critical Approaches. Edinburgh: Edinburgh
University Press.
Donovan, B. W. (2008). The Asian influence on Hollywood action films. Jefferson, N.C.:
McFarland & Co.
Eather, G. (1998). In Focus: Reading and viewing film and video texts. Melborne, VIC:
Heinemann.
Eleftheriotis, D. (2001). Popular Cinema of Europe: Studies of Texts, Contexts and
Frameworks. New York: McGraw Hill
Eleftheriotis, D., & Needham, G. (Eds.) (2006). Asian cinemas: A reader and guide.
Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Erb, C. (2009). Tracking Hong Kong: A Hollywood icon in world culture. Detroit: Wayne State
University Press.
Ezra, E., & Rowden, T. (Eds.) (2006). Transnational cinema: The film reader. London; New
York: Routledge.
Gazetas, A. (2008). An introduction to world cinema. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland.
Hill, J., & Gibson, P.C. (Eds, 2000). World Cinema: Critical Approaches. London: Oxford
University Press.
Hollinger, K. (2006). The actress: Hollywood acting and the female stars. New York:
Routledge.
Jancovich, M. (2002) (Ed.). Horror: The Film Reader. London: Routledge
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King, G. (2002). New Hollywood Cinema An Introduction. New York: Columbia University
Press.
Kassabian, A. (2001). Hearing Film: Tracking Identifications in Contemporary Hollywood
Film Music. London: Routledge.
Lent, J.A. (1990). The Asian Film Industry. Austin, Texas: The University of Austin Press.
Lofrano, G. (2006). Asia shock: Horror and dark cinema from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and
Thailand. Berkeley, California: Stone Bridge Press.
Marchetti, G., & Tan, S. K. (Eds.). (2007). Hong Kong film, Hollywood and the new global
cinema: No film is an Island. London and New York: Routledge.
Manaco, J. (1977). How to Read a Film. New York: Oxford Uni. Press.
Maltby, R. (1995). Hollywood Cinema: An Introduction. London: Oxford University Press.
Meija, E.A., Xiao, K.M. , & Kennedy J. (1994). 102 Very Teachable Films. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall Regents.
Morris, M., Li, S. L., & Chan, C.K. (Eds.) (2005). Hong Kong connections: Transnational
imagination in action cinema. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press; Hong Kong: Hong
Kong University Press.
Nichols, B. (2010). Engaging Cinema: An introduction to Film Studies. New York, N. Y.:W.
W. Norton & Company.
Nelmes, J. (Ed.)(1996). An Introduction to Film Studies. 2nd Edition. London: Routledge.
Nowell-Smith, G. (Ed. 1996). The Oxford History of World Cinema. London: Oxford
University Press
Pang, L. K. (2006). Cultural control and globalization in Asia: Copyright, piracy, and cinema.
London: Routledge.
Pramaggiore, M. & Wallis, T. (2005). Film A Critical Introduction. UK: Lawrence King
Publishing.
Sikov, E. (2010). Film Studies: An introduction. New York: Columbia University Press.
Tan, S. K., Feng, P. X., & Marchetti, G. (Eds.) (2009). Chinese connections: Critical
perspectives on Films, Identity and Diaspora. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Turner, G. (2006). Film as Social Practice IV. London: Routledge.
Villarejo, A. (2007). Film Studies: The Basics. London: Routledge.
8. Related Web Resources
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Basic information on any film:
http://www.imdb.com/ (the world’s largest movie data bank)
Information on great directors:
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/
On European cinema:
http://www.bfi.org.uk
On British cinema:
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/gateways/az/review/cinema
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/
On American cinema:
http://www.reelclassics.com
http://www.learner.org/resources/series67.html
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On Australian cinema:
http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/film/
On East Asian cinema:
http://www.asianfilms.org/
On South Asian cinema:
http://www.upperstall.com
http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/
http://www.boxofficeguru.com/
http://www.cinemarati.org/
http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/fcm.htm
http://www.metaphilm.com/
http://www.mrqe.com/lookup
9. Related Journals:
Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies. Carfax Publishing, Taylor & Francis.
PN1993C675. [Available online].
Screen Education. Victoria: Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM). PN1995.S37.
Screen. Oxford: Oxford University Press. PN1993.S36.
Metro. Melbourne: Association Teachers of Media. PN1993.M47
New Cinemas: Journal of Contemporary Film. Carfax Publishing, Taylor & Francis. PN1993.
N48. [Available online].
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