Unit Overview

Description

Netflix, Disney+, AppleTV, HBO. Global streaming services are the venue for the screen dramas that are consumed by billions of people every day. While these shows and films serve the role of entertainment, they also have a meaning. In this unit we study the meaning of screen dramas. Each week we analyse a different text, looking closely at what it means and how it means. We break down the formal structures and establish principles for insightful comparison. We consider a range of examples that reflect the diversity of cinematic and televisual drama, including crime, romance, comedy, dystopia and science fiction.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)On-campus
Semester 1AlbanyOn-campus

The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.

Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 2 option in the English and Literary Studies; Media and Communication major sequences
  • Level 2 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) identify formal structures of film and television drama; (2) analyse scenes that take place in screened drama; (3) interpret meaning in cinematic and televisual texts; (4) apply unit concepts to the understanding of unit texts; (5) compose written analytical responses to the texts; and (6) demonstrate a capacity to reason from the evidence of the text.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class participation; (2) scene analysis; and (3) test. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Tony Hughes-d'Aeth
Contact hours
3 hours per teaching week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.