SMST101-06A SCREEN STUDIES 1 - The Moving Image

Assignments and Assessment Guidelines

NOTE: There are four types of assessment.

1. TUTORIAL ASSIGNMENTS. These are to be handed in to the tutor on the appropriate dates. See below for details.
2. ESSAY ASSIGNMENT. These are to be handed in to the FASS Information Centre on the ground floor in the reception area of J Block. See below for details of topic and handing in dates.
3. CLASS TEST (Note: updated 5/5/06)
4. LABS are outlined on the main page

TUTORIAL ASSIGNMENTS

Tutorial Assignment 1: (To be handed to the tutor at the first tutorial in SECOND WEEK- week commencing Monday 6rd March 2006)

Go to this site: http://www.digitaldeliverance.com/philosophy/definition/definition.html and find this essay: 'What is New Media?'

Read the essay and write an essay approx 500 words criticising three or four aspects of the essay. This could be a criticism of ideas of style or of both.

A suggestion for the structure of the essay can be found below,

1. Introduction
    a. Interesting opening sentence designed to encourage people to keep reading. A thought provoking statement or a question.
    b. Outline of the three or four key concepts or areas of discussion you want to develop in the main body of the text.

2. Main body of the text
    a. Develop in detail the three areas you have outlined in the introduction supporting your statements with quotes or references from other texts you have read. Also offering examples from other sources of media if this is appropriate.
    b. Be critical rather than simply descriptive. By this I mean you can agree or disagree with statements made in the essay you are discussing and demonstrate why you agree or disagree.
    c. Images can also be used to support your discussion. Discuss these images do not simply use them for decoration.     d. Reference correctly including the images.

3. Conclusion
    a. This is at least two paragraphs outlining what your discussion was about and what you think you achieved. Areas that might also be considered but were not could also be mentioned but the most important aspect of the conclusion is that you achieve a sense of completion in your essay and that you have indicated what it is that you think your discussion has successfully achieved.

(Approx 500 words)

CREDIT: 5% of final mark

Tutorial Assignment 2: (To be handed in at the tutorial of FIFTH WEEK – Monday 27th March – Friday 31st March 2006)

Select one of the images from the IMAGES FOR TUTORIAL ASSIGNMENT 2 and analyse this image utilising the concepts discussed in the previous lectures. Include the image in your essay and structure the essay in the common - introduction/main body of text/conclusion/references- format. (Min 600 words).

See also Assignment 2 notes (Word, 36KB)

CREDIT: 10% of final mark

Tutorial Assignment 3: (A test to be sat during the lecture of SIXTH WEEK Tuesday 2nd May)

The test will be on the proper referencing of books, web sites, articles and films, in essays. See the Department web site for details on referencing. The marking will be based on the information offered in this web site.

CREDIT: 15% of final mark

DEADLINE 4:30pm Friday 2nd June 2006

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

An analysis of either a film, television programme, magazine, computer game or web-site utilising the concepts you have learnt over the course of the semester. This requires correct referencing. It will also be expected that you include at least five different images, (these could be diagrams) that help you in your argument. The images do not need to be from the film but are not to be employed simply for decoration. They are to be used to support your argument and need to be properly referenced. It is required that there are at least two references from texts in the library and one reference from an appropriate web site.

(MIN 1500 words) CREDIT: 25% of final mark.

CLASS TEST

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the test date has been changed. It will now be during the LAST LECTURE, TUESDAY MAY 30.

There will be five very short sequences taken from five different films screened during the twelve weeks of the course. These will be repeated for note taking. You will be required to:

1. Identify correctly the title of the film and the director of the film each sequence comes from. (Total of 5 marks)
2. Discuss any four of the five sequences each time using one of the following elements as your focus in each sequence. Clearly indicate the element you are focusing on (5 marks for each sequence - Total of 20 marks)
   1. Editing
   2. Sound
   3. Semiotic analysis
   4. Time
   5. Space
3. You will be allowed to take into the test an A4 sheet for notes and these will be handed in with the test.
   
   For more details download: The Test and What is Expected (Word, 40KB)

CREDIT: 25% of final mark

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Assessment policy and guidelines

Assignments:
They should be produced on a word processor (where appropriate), be proof-read and spell-checked, be free of grammar and punctuation mistakes, be double-spaced, have page numbers, and be printed on one side of the page only. Assignments should include a cover sheet which lists the name of the course, the tutor’s name, and your student id#, assignment title and the number of words. Follow Screen and Media Studies guidelines for referencing and style (see the Department website).

Format:
All work should be handed in on hard copy or, where appropriate, on CD.

Submission of Assignments:
It is each student’s responsibility to keep a copy of all work submitted in case any assignments go missing. You should also retain copies of marked assignments as proof of their grade, in case of any dispute regarding marks. Remember to include a cover sheet with the details listed above.

Essay Extensions / Policy on Lateness:
All work must be handed in on the due date unless prior arrangement has been made with the course convener at least four days before the due date. Extensions are only given in exceptional circumstances, normally only in case of illness, and must be requested in advance (please note: too many assignments due at the same time is not an acceptable reason, neither are claims that computers/printers have crashed). Unless a medical certificate is provided, all work handed in late without the prior consent of your tutor will receive a reduction of 5% for every day that work is late. Work handed in after more than one week without prior consent from your tutor, will not be graded.

Given these stipulations, leaving the writing of essays to the night before they are due is NOT advised, and you should always, and regularly, make back-up copies if working on a computer.

Class Participation:
Enthusiastic, thoughtful participation by all of us wil l enhance the quality of the class. You are expected to read the assigned material and attend screenings prior to class, reflect on relevant issues, and contribute your ideas, opinions and experiences to class discussions.

Binding Policy Statement: It is the sole responsibility of the student to read and understand any policies, laws, rules, or procedures that could affect the student’s final grade for this course that are not specifically outlined in the course description. Such policies, laws, rules or procedures are contained in The University of Waikato Calendar, and in the general by-laws, procedural guidelines, and policy statement of the University.

Key Regulations:
Your attention is drawn to the following regulations and policies which are published in the University Calendar: Assessment regulations, Discipline Regulations, Computer System Regulations, Policy on the use of Maori Assessment, Human Research Ethics Regulations, Student Research Regulation.

Regulations on Plagiarism:
Full acknowledgement must be given whenever you quote or paraphrase the work of others. If plagiarism is detected in your work, then the offending piece of work will be referred to the convener and if the explanation is unsatisfactory further action will be implemented with final recourse to the University Disciplinary Committee.

Learning:
Take responsibility for your own learning in this course. Attend every class, tutorial, screening and lab. Read the assigned readings before class. Seek out the articles and books upon which the reader is based. Ask questions. Let’s work together to make this course a good learning opportunity for everyone.