Australian Theatre, Film and Learning

(4 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This unit provides an in-depth examination of Australian film and theatre, beginning in the colonial era and leading up to the present day, exploring the importance of theatre and film in the Australian cultural context. You will be exposed to exemplars of Australian film and theatre, and gain a deeper understanding of Australian culture, identity and contradictions. The unit involves mandatory excursions to two original Australian works for the stage, and will feature at least one guest lecture provided by a prominent member of Australian film or theatre industry. In this unit, you will be required to undertake a deconstruction and textual analysis of Australian films and theatrical works, in three take-home assessments only. There is no exam in this unit and as a result of the mandatory excursions, this unit has only eleven sessions as opposed to the regular thirteen sessions. In this unit of study, you will examine the nature of Australian theatre, film, and media in diverse cultural, social, and educational contexts. Because theatre, film, and media are significant and exciting components of Australian culture, your experience and analysis of specific performances, in the context of international forces impacting upon them, will help you to understand Australian society in a more complex way that includes multicultural dimensions. Through field trips to several live events, you will experience first-hand some examples of Australian cultural art forms. You will also view and critique Australian films currently being studied in Australian schools including films that deal with First Nations issues. For international students, in particular, this unit of study will provide valuable insights into Australian society and culture.