Module description
This module engages students in an in-depth discussion of the most cutting-edge contemporary works of Asian cinema and media in the film festival circuit and popular culture. It does so by focusing on how these films address issues of colonialism/postcolonialism, gender and sexuality, and intermediality. These works include films that are chosen from the most critically acclaimed works in the most recent editions of top film festivals in Asia, Europe, and North America, popular video games and animations, and/or cutting-edge art works and online media.
In this module, students learn the most current industrial, economic, and sociopolitical conditions under which these films and works of media were produced, distributed, or shared. They will also be introduced to the most updated theoretical and philosophical frameworks on colonialism/postcolonialism, gender and sexuality, and media, both globally and locally, that can facilitate their critical engagement with these work.
Students have a number of final assessment options (either individually or in group), which will allow them to finesse their academic skills or to develop skills that are transferrable to their career. These options include:
- A conventional analytical and critical essay with a substantial engagement in either a theoretical framework, industrial research, or a region's sociopolitical conditions;
- A documentary or fictional short film/work of media with a piece of critical writing;
- Programming a film festival or multimedia exhibition and materialising one screening or evening event, with a piece of critical writing.
- Writing a number of journalistic film criticisms under the mentorship of a professional critic, with a piece of critical writing reflection upon this experience.
In order to prepare for these final assessments, students will submit their proposals and research plans as their midterm assessments, with class presentations.
Assessment details
- Project Proposal (800 words) and Class Presentation (5 minutes) 30%
- Participation 10%
- 2000-word essay or practical project with 1000-word essay 60%
Educational aims & objectives
This module engages students in an in-depth discussion of the most cutting-edge contemporary works of Asian cinema and media in the film festival circuit and popular culture. It does so by focusing on how these films address issues of colonialism/postcolonialism, gender and sexuality, and intermediality. In order to do so, this module:
- Introduces to the students the most current industrial, economic, and sociopolitical conditions under which these films and works of media were produced, distributed, or shared;
- Discusses the most updated theoretical and philosophical frameworks on colonialism/postcolonialism, gender and sexuality, and media, both globally and locally, that can facilitate our critical engagement with these works;
- Encourages students to develop their own mode of critical and/or practical engagements with these works through a number of assessment options (either individually or in group):
-
- A conventional analytical and critical essay with a substantial engagement in either a theoretical framework, industrial research, or a region's sociopolitical conditions;
- A documentary or fictional short film/work of media with a piece of critical writing;
- Programming a film festival or multimedia exhibition and materialising one screening or evening event, with a piece of critical writing.
- Writing a number of journalistic film criticisms under the mentorship of a professional critic, with a piece of critical writing reflection upon this experience.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- Understand the industrial, economic, and sociopolitical conditions under which contemporary Asian cinema and media have been produced and marketed;
- Discuss the most current theoretical and philosophical framework on postcolonialism, gender and sexuality, and media, and be able to mobilise them to engage in critical analysis;
- Develop and finesse either an academic skill or a skill that is transferrable to their career by either writing a conventional critical essay, making a film or a work of media as a critical engagement of the topic, having the experience of programming a film festival or exhibition and understanding the industrial dynamic, and engaging in a work experience with a professional critic.
Teaching pattern
Ten three-hour screenings and ten two-hour seminars.