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
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: Minimum of 18 credit points
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 - 2026
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Students' comments in class
Students find it difficult to interact in discussion about weekly material in online classes
The lecturer provides extra interactive activities in each class to enhance the students' learning experience
Feedback from Student peer review comments
Students enjoy researching and sharing their discoveries about a person in the Australian Arts industry with their peers
This research and sharing opportunity will be provided through assessment tasks in the next offering of the unit
- 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
- Explore the creative journey of a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day
- Investigate Australian theatre, film and television’s contribution to the evolving Australian identity.
N/A
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 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Teams
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.
l.lorenza@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Legends and icons of the Australian stage and screen
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit your nominations for Assessments 1 and 2
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
What is Australian theatre?
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The Aussie larrikin
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 due
Pitch an Australian creative - theatre, film or television practitioner Due: Week 3 Monday (23 Mar 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Aboriginal theatre
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Australian cinema
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Evolution of an Australian film style
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 due; in class peer viewing of Assessment 2
Submit your nominations for Assessments 3 and 4
Pre-recorded presentation - An Australian Creative Due: Week 6 Monday (13 Apr 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Australian film with a conscience
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Behind the scenes – Script writers
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 due
Pitch to the lecturer - An Australian story Due: Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Behind the scenes – Designers and creatives
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
What is good storytelling?
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Viewing and peer assessing presentations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 4 due; in class peer viewing of Assessment 4
Pre-recorded presentation of an Australian story presented as theatre, film or television Due: Week 11 Monday (25 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Viewing and peer assessing presentations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
In this task you will select a significant Australian creative - someone recognised as a theatre, film or television practitioner. The person can be selected from any time from colonial times (1788-1901) to present day Australia.
Assessment Task Detailed Instructions
Pitch: An Australian Creative
This is your pitch to the lecturer for your class presentation for Assessment 2.
The task:
Using the pitch from Assessment 1 and considering the feedback provided by your lecturer, plan, rehearse and record your presentation to inform and educate your peers about your chosen Australian creative selected from colonial times (1788-1901) 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 need to share:
- What this person does in the Australian arts industry
- Where they grew up and any family/community influences on their life choices
- How they developed their creative skill (eg. school, training programs, a mentor, a lucky break…)
- Key examples of their work.
- Refer to any social, political and/or technological events that effected their contribution to the Australian arts industry.
- Why is their work significant? How they are recognised/acknowledged or remembered today.
- You must explain why you believe your peers need to know about this person’s life work in the Australian arts industry.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI content may be used to generate ideas and general structures.
Assessment Task Deliverables
Short essay
Length: 1000 words
Choose one significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times (1788-1901) to the present day. Each student is required to choose a different practitioner.
A. You need to research:
- What this person does in the Australian arts industry
- Where they grew up and any family/community influences on their life choices
- How they developed their creative skill (eg. school, training programs, a mentor, a lucky break…)
- Key examples of their work
B . You must explain why you believe your peers need to know about this person’s life work in the Australian arts industry.
C. Your references must include at least 2 primary sources such as journal articles, books and items you can find through the CQUniversity library database. You may also include youtube and web references. WIKIPEDIA is not permitted. If you use AI for planning, you must check any references that AI may suggest. Frequently, AI suggested references are fictitious and not found in the CQULibrary and databases. AI generated references will not be considered legitimate references.
Week 3 Monday (23 Mar 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
You must submit your assessment as a Word document
Week 4 Friday (3 Apr 2026)
Assessment will be returned via Moodle with feedback to assist you in developing Assessment 2.
Clear and compelling opening to your pitch (10%)
Clear identification of the creative’s background (25%)
Clear identification of what they do in the Australian arts industry (25%)
Clear explanation of why your peers need to know about this person (20%)
Inclusion of documentation and in-text referencing (APA 7 format) including at least 2 primary sources (10%)
Correct spelling, grammar, and word usage (10%)
- Explore the creative journey of a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day
2 Presentation
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 (1788-1901) to the present day.
Assessment Task Detailed Instructions:
This is your pre-recorded presentation to your peers.
Using the pitch from Assessment 1 and considering the feedback provided by your lecturer, plan, rehearse and record your presentation to inform and educate your peers about your chosen Australian creative selected from colonial times (1788-1901) 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 need to share:
- What this person does in the Australian arts industry
- Where they grew up and any family/community influences on their life choices
- How they developed their creative skill (eg. school, training programs, a mentor, a lucky break…)
- Key examples of their work.
- Refer to any social, political and/or technological events that effected their contribution to the Australian arts industry.
- Why is their work significant? How they are recognised/acknowledged or remembered today.
- Your explanation as to why you believe your peers need to know about this person’s life work in the Australian arts industry.
- Your references must include at least 2 primary sources such as journal articles, books and items you can find through the CQUniversity library database. You may also include youtube and web references. WIKIPEDIA is not permitted.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- No Gen AI use at any point during this 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 4 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 your references in APA style
- Include your name and student number in the opening credits of the recording
- Include a word document Reference List in APA style, 7th edition with the hyperlink to your final submission. You should have a minimum of 5 references for this assignment. At least 2 must be from the CQUniversity library.
- Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
- You must check any references that AI may have suggested in your planning of Assessment 1. Frequently, AI suggested references are fictitious and not found in the CQULibrary and databases. AI generated references will not be considered legitimate references.
- Include in your reference list all music scores used, CD and DVD recordings, Youtube sources, as well as books, academic journal articles.
Week 6 Monday (13 Apr 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
upload link to video and Word doc of references to Moodle
Vacation Week Friday (24 Apr 2026)
Assessment will be returned via Moodle
Clear and compelling opening to your presentation (10%)
Clear identification of what they do in the Australian arts industry (10%)
Clear identification of the creative’s background (10%)
Clear discussion of their creative skill and their work (20%)
Clear explanation of why your peers need to know about this person (20%)
Inclusion of reference list (APA 7 format) including at least 2 primary sources (10%)
Well-organised presentation (10%)
Effective use of including sound and visual quality (10%)
- Explore the creative journey of a significant Australian theatre, film or television practitioner selected from colonial times to the present day
3 Written Assessment
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
This is your pitch to the lecturer for your class presentation for Assessment 4.
A pitch is to persuade others to see the benefits of you, your product or idea, and to buy into it.
Your intention in this pitch is to:
- convince the lecturer that your peers need to know about the Australian story you have selected;
- outline how your presentation will do this.
The task:
Choose a significant Australian story which may be from colonial times to the present day. It must have been presented through 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? Why is this a significant Australian story that must be told?
Be sure to select a story that is of particular interest to you.
Each student is required to choose a different story. In week 6 you must nominate your first and second choices so that your lecturer can confirm each student’s story and that no two students are researching the same story.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI content may be used to generate ideas and general structures.
Assessment task deliverables
Short essay: A significant Australian story for theatre, film or television.
Length: 1000 words
A. You need to research:
- The origins of the story and what makes it distinctly Australian
- Who created the version you have selected (i.e. director, producer). Why did they feel compelled to tell this story?
- How they have told the story. Refer to the plot of the story as you explore:
- How they have used the form (theatre, film, television series) through which the story is told.
- key devices and choices in this telling of the story – that is, casting, set and costume design, cinematography, location, soundtrack/music.
B. You must explain why you believe your peers need to know about this particular Australian story.
C. Your references must include at least 2 primary sources such as journal articles, books and items you can find through the CQUniversity library database. You may also include youtube and web references. WIKIPEDIA is not permitted. If you use AI for planning, you must check any references that AI may suggest. Frequently, AI suggested references are fictitious and not found in the CQULibrary and databases. AI generated references will not be considered legitimate references.
Week 8 Friday (8 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Word document uploaded via Moodle
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2026)
Assessment will be returned via Moodle with feedback to assist you in developing Assessment 4
Clear and compelling opening to your pitch (10%)
Clear identification of the story’s origin and what makes it distinctly Australian (20%)
Clear identification of who has told the story and why (10%)
Clear analysis of the form and devices used (20%)
Clear explanation of why your peers need to know about this story (20%)
Inclusion of documentation and in-text referencing (APA 7 format) including at least 2 primary sources (10%)
Correct spelling, grammar, and word usage (10%)
- 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.
4 Presentation
Assessment Task Overview
This is your pre-recorded presentation to your peers.
Using the pitch from Assessment 3 and considering the feedback provided by your lecturer, plan, rehearse and record your presentation to inform and educate your peers about your chosen Australian story selected from colonial times (1788-1901) to the present day.
Assessment Task Detailed Instructions
Your aim is to educate your peers as to this particular telling of the story you have selected.
Your presentation must include:
- The origins of the story and what makes it distinctly Australian
- Who created the version you have selected (i.e. director, producer). Why did they feel compelled to tell this story?
- How they have told the story. Refer to the plot of the story as you explore:
- How they have used the form (theatre, film, television series) through which the story is told.
- key devices and choices in this telling of the story – that is, casting, set and costume design, cinematography, location, soundtrack/music.
- Your explanation as to why you believe your peers need to know about this particular Australian story.
- Your references must include at least 2 primary sources such as journal articles, books and items you can find through the CQUniversity library database. You may also include youtube and web references. WIKIPEDIA is not permitted.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- No Gen AI use at any point during this 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 4 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 your references in APA style
- Include your name and student number in the opening credits of the recording
- Include a word document Reference List in APA style, 7th edition with the hyperlink to your final submission. You should have a minimum of 5 references for this assignment. At least 2 must be from the CQUniversity library.
- Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
- You must check any references that AI may have suggested in your planning of Assessment 3. Frequently, AI suggested references are fictitious and not found in the CQULibrary and databases. AI generated references will not be considered legitimate references.
- Include in your reference list all music scores used, CD and DVD recordings, Youtube sources, as well as books, academic journal articles.
Week 11 Monday (25 May 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
upload link to presentation and word document of references
Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)
Assessment will be returned via Moodle
Clear and compelling opening to your presentation (10%)
Clear identification of the story’s origin and what makes it distinctly Australian (20%)
Clear identification of who has told the story and why (10%)
Clear analysis of the form and devices used (20%)
Clear explanation of why your peers need to know about this story (10%)
Inclusion of reference list (APA 7 format) including at least 2 primary sources (10%)
Well-organised presentation (10%)
Effective use of including sound and visual quality (10%)
- 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.
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?
