CQUniversity Unit Profile
THTR12124 Australian Theatre: Stage and Screen
Australian Theatre: Stage and Screen
All details in this unit profile for THTR12124 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit you will study Australian theatre, First Nations and non-Indigenous, from the colonial period to the present day. By studying the creative journeys of significant contemporary Australian theatre, film and television practitioners, you will gain an understanding of how the social context impacts the ongoing evolution of drama on stage and on-screen in Australia. Also through the exploration of past and current interpretations of a range of Australian scripts, you will learn about theatre, film and television’s contribution to shaping Australian identity.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2021

Mackay
Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 10%
2. Presentation
Weighting: 40%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 10%
4. Presentation
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify how social context has influenced the development of scripts and performance practices of Australian theatre from colonial times to theatre, film and television of the present day
  2. Explore the creative journey of a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day
  3. Investigate Australian theatre, film and television’s contribution to the evolving Australian identity.

N/A

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Written Assessment - 10%
2 - Presentation - 40%
3 - Written Assessment - 10%
4 - Presentation - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 10%
2 - Presentation - 40%
3 - Written Assessment - 10%
4 - Presentation - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Microsoft Teams
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Linda Lorenza Unit Coordinator
l.lorenza@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Legends and icons of the Australian stage and screen

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

What is Australian theatre?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

The Aussie larrikin

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Pitch an Australian theatre, film or television practitioner to the lecturer Due: Week 3 Monday (22 Mar 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Aboriginal theatre

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Australian cinema

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Evolution of an Australian film style

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Australian film with a conscience

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Pre-recorded presentation Due: Week 6 Monday (19 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Behind the scenes – Script writers

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Behind the scenes – Designers and creatives

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Pitch to the lecturer - story Due: Week 8 Monday (3 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

What is good storytelling?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Viewing and peer assessing presentations

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Viewing and peer assessing presentations

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Pre-recorded presentation of an Australian story presented as theatre, film or television Due: Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The mid-term break for this unit is week commencing Monday 5 April, one week earlier than the CQUniversity gazetted mid-term break, Monday 12 April.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Pitch an Australian theatre, film or television practitioner to the lecturer

Task Description

In this task you will identify a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day.

Assessment Task Detailed Instructions

Select a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day. You must identify the person’s background, artistic practice and why you think your peers need to know about this person’s work in the Australian arts industry.

Assessment Task Deliverables

Short essay

Length: 1000 words

Choose one significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day. Students are required to choose different practitioners.

Identify their field within the arts industry with reference to key examples of their body of work which should identify where they grew up, any study they undertook, examples of their artistic work.


Assessment Due Date

Week 3 Monday (22 Mar 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 5 Monday (5 Apr 2021)


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

Clear and connected introduction and conclusion (10%)

Clear identification of their background (25%)

Clear identification of what they do (25%)

Proposed angle for the in-class presentation in Assessment 2 (20%)

Inclusion of documentation and in-text referencing (APA format) from the primary source (5%)

Correct spelling, grammar, and word usage (10%)

Presentation and clear layout (5%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
submit via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explore the creative journey of a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

2 Presentation

Assessment Title
Pre-recorded presentation

Task Description

Using the pitch submitted for Assessment 1, plan your presentation to inform and educate your peers about your chosen Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day.  

Assessment Task Detailed Instructions:

Select an Australian theatre, film or television practitioner who may date from The Australian colonial period (1788-1901) right up to the present day. Your aim is to educate your peers as to this person’s work, their background, training and how their career developed within the Australian arts industry. You must:

  • Describe their background and training
  • Identify their field
  • Explore the development of their career
  • The social, political and technological events that effected their contribution to the Australian arts industry
  • The significance of their work which connects to why and how they are recognised or remembered today.

Assessment Task Deliverables:

  • The presentation must be pre-recorded with the link submitted via Moodle.
  • A pre-recorded and edited audio-visual recording of up to 5 minutes.
  • Use speaking to camera or voice-overs as best suited to the content and your audience
  • Organise your assignment into topic and subtopic areas, using editing tools.
  • Include a final credits screen which includes references
  • Include your name and student number in the opening credits of the recording
  • Include a word document Reference List in APA style, 6th edition with the hyperlink to your final submission. You should have a minimum of 5 references for this assignment
  • Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
  • Include in your reference list all music scores used, CD and DVD recordings, Youtube sources, as well as books, academic journal articles, and articles from Oxford Music Online.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (19 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Monday (3 May 2021)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Presentation:
  • Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
  • Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (20%)
  • Detailed discussion on the primary source examples selected (20%)
  • Ability to communicate clearly and logically through audio-visual media (15%)
  • Correct use of APA style for the references listed in the final credits and the separate hard copy reference list (15%)
Peer assessment criteria:
  • Peer assessment survey (20 %)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explore the creative journey of a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Pitch to the lecturer - story

Task Description

In this task you will identify a significant Australian story selected from colonial times to the present day. Students are required to present different stories.

Assessment Task detailed instructions


Select a significant Australian story from colonial times to the present day, that has been produced for theatre, film or television. Identify the features of the story that make it distinctly ‘Australian’. How are these components of the story produced in the theatre, film or television production you wish to analyse?


Assessment task deliverables

Short essay: A significant Australian story for theatre, film or television.

Length: 1000 words


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Monday (3 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Monday (17 May 2021)


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

Clear and connected introduction and conclusion (10%)

Clear identification of the story and its background (25%)

Clear justification for why it is significant (25%)

Proposed angle for the in-class presentation in Assessment 4 (20%)

Inclusion of documentation and in-text referencing (APA format) from the primary source (5%)

Correct spelling, grammar, and word usage (10%)

Presentation and clear layout (5%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify how social context has influenced the development of scripts and performance practices of Australian theatre from colonial times to theatre, film and television of the present day
  • Investigate Australian theatre, film and television’s contribution to the evolving Australian identity.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

4 Presentation

Assessment Title
Pre-recorded presentation of an Australian story presented as theatre, film or television

Task Description

Assessment Task Overview

Using the pitch submitted for Assessment 3, plan your presentation to inform and educate your peers about your chosen Australian story and how it is communicated through theatre, film or television.

Assessment Task Detailed Instructions

Select an Australian story that has been produced as theatre, film or television. Your aim is to educate your peers as to the significance of this story to Australian identity.

You must:

  • Describe the origins of the story
  • Identify the components that make it Australian
  • Explore the production of the story that you have selected
  • Identify the social, political and technological events that contribute to the effectiveness of the storytelling
  • Identify and explain why this story should continue to be remembered today.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (14 June 2021)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria:

  • Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
  • Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (20%)
  • Detailed discussion on the primary source examples selected (20%)
  • Ability to communicate clearly and logically through audio-visual media (15%)
  • Correct use of APA style for the references listed in the final credits and the separate hard copy reference list (15%)

Peer Assessment Criteria

  • Peer assessment survey (20 %)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify how social context has influenced the development of scripts and performance practices of Australian theatre from colonial times to theatre, film and television of the present day
  • Investigate Australian theatre, film and television’s contribution to the evolving Australian identity.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?