SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
World Cinemas

This course offers an overview of recent filmmaking practices from various continents. Transnational cinemas explore how intimate, personal styles of filmmaking converge with theories of globalization, hybridity and remediation.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the fall and/or winter term
Learning Outcomes
After completing FILM 303, students will be able to:
- recognize specific directors and themes that exemplify artistic high points of contemporary world cinema;
- analyze and discuss how contemporary world cinema responds to political, social and religious landscapes of this era;
- describe the distinct modes of filmmaking in contemporary world cinema;
- explain media theory and intercultural communication as it relates to world cinema;
- identify the cultural components of world cinema;
- critically evaluate and express questions relating to globalization; and
- explore issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion through the experience of giving and receiving critical peer feedback.
Description
This course offers an overview of recent filmmaking and media practices hailing from Africa, Indigenous America, Europe, Asia, Quebec and Australia. We will explore how intimate, personal styles of filmmaking converge with theories of globalization, hybridity, transnationalism, and remediation, through the study of a selection of films greatly influenced by the political, cultural, economic, social, and historical forces at work in a number of countries around the world.
More specifically, this course will take you through a virtual journey around the world, with each module presenting a different region of the world, film genre, and way of thinking about world cinema. You will be exposed to different genres and the way they were exploited, distributed and made popular in specific areas of the globe – for example Japanese animation, African Nollywood videography, Aboriginal documentary films and media work, European road movies, and Quebec transnational productions (Quebec filmmakers in Hollywood). Another important aspect of this course relates to film reception and the manners in which populations will reappropriate the films screened by finding new ways of viewing them. For example, community showings in Indigenous communities will include food, children running around and people directly addressing the character on screen. Finally, we will critically reflect on the unique cultural values and contemporary tools and techniques that shape the film narrative and style, making them more attentive to the emerging geopolitical realities and transnational structures.
Terms
Evaluation
5% Self-Assessment Quizzes (4)
10% Group Discussion Forums (4)
30% Midterm
15% Group Peer Review (of Online Journal)
40% Term Assignment (Online Journal)
**Evaluation Subject to change.**
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
- Online notes, book chapters and journal articles available from the course website.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 9 hours a week (108 hours per term) on this course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
Letter Grade | Grade Point |
A+ | 4.30 |
A | 4.00 |
A- | 3.70 |
B+ | 3.30 |
B | 3.00 |
B- | 2.70 |
C+ | 2.30 |
C | 2.00 |
C- | 1.70 |
D+ | 1.30 |
D | 1.00 |
D- | 0.70 |
F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.