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World Cinemas (SCRN30007)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 2 - On Campus
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World Cinemas investigates films and filmmakers from across the globe, exploring their movements and audiences, and the cultural, political, and technological forces that shape them. The subject highlights the shifting dynamics that continuously redefine cinema’s role and form in different parts of the world. It examines how films circulate through festivals, streaming platforms, and academic discourse, with particular attention to Latin American cinema and its cultural and historical contexts. Through close readings of selected screenings and manifestos, students will explore how cinema reflects and reimagines the worlds in which it is made and viewed.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • debate key theories surrounding the notion of world cinema and its reception, including traditional representations of non-white cultures
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of transnational and global art films, particularly in relation to diaspora, migration, and coloniality
  • examine the role of film manifestos, festivals, and national cinemas in responding to the standardising forces of the global film industry
  • discuss the political aesthetics of Latin American cinema and its ongoing influence on contemporary screen cultures
  • apply diverse theoretical approaches to peripheral cinemas historically excluded from dominant film theory and historiography.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • apply critical and analytical skills and methods to identify and resolve problems within complex changing social and cultural contexts
  • develop skills in research through the preparation of class papers and assignments, including the use of online as well as print-based materials
  • work with independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in the workplace and personal life
  • operate effectively in multicultural and diverse environments
  • communicate effectively, in oral and written forms through contribution to class discussions and the completion of assignments
  • develop and implement innovative and creative ideas.

Last updated: 11 December 2025