Understanding Film

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 1008
Course ID icon
Course ID
201033
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Adelaide City Campus West, Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Peter Pugsley
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the foundations of studying film as a discipline, including its key historic, theoretical and formal aspects.  Organised around three separate but inter-related areas (narrative form, film style and film theory), students will learn to analyse, research and discuss films from a range of periods and to study films from a range of countries and cultures to develop skills in cross-cultural awareness.

  • Narrative & Film Form  
  • Film Style
  • Film Theory

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key historic, theoretical and formal aspects of film
  • Research and analyse a range of films from different historic periods through to the present day
  • Read and interpret film criticism and apply it to academic argument and discussion
  • Write logical and coherent analytic arguments based on film analysis and appropriate research
  • Use relevant technologies, research, writing and analytic skills to complete assessments

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 24122
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH4-08
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 9:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH4-08
Class number
Class number 24121
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH5-08
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH5-08
Class number
Class number 29336
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH4-08
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 1:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir Hans Heysen, HH4-08

Magill

Class number
Class number 24907
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 24
Available
Available 24
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 10:10am - 1pm Magill Building B, B1-55
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 10:10am - 1pm Magill Building B, B1-55
Class number
Class number 24908
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 24
Available
Available 24
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Building B, B1-55
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Building B, B1-55
Class number
Class number 24909
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 24
Available
Available 24
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Magill Building B, B1-55
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 10:10am - 1pm Magill Building B, B1-55
Class number
Class number 24910
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 24
Available
Available 23
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Building B, B1-55
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 2:10pm - 5pm Magill Building B, B1-55

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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