| Course Name |
(中) 生態環境電影專題(8001) |
| (Eng.) Seminar on Eco-cinema |
| Offering Dept |
International Doctoral Program in Taiwan and Transcultural Studies |
| Course Type |
Elective |
Credits |
3 |
Teacher |
Liew Zhou Hau |
| Department |
International Doctoral Program in Taiwan and Transcultural StudiesPh.D |
Language |
English |
Semester |
2025-FALL |
| Course Description |
This class explores a series of visual texts (feature films, documentaries, and photography) that represent the environment. By close-reading and analyzing these texts, we will attempt to develop what may be conceptualized as "planetary aesthetics," while paying attention to the specificies of the visual medium. Some of the issues we discuss include the relationship between geography and visuality, colonial representations, sensory ethnography and forms of life, science fiction, planetary blockbusters, and contemporary art. We will also practice analyzing visual texts together in class. As this is a PhD level class, there will be opportunities for students to give input and shape the syllabus based on their interest and research projects. |
| Prerequisites |
|
self-directed learning in the course |
Y |
| Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%) |
Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives |
| Course Objectives |
Competency Indicators |
Ratio(%) |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
1) Practice analyzing visual texts.
2) Develop frameworks for understanding the relationship between visuality and the environment.
3) Discuss future research projects. |
|
|
| Exercises |
| Discussion |
| Lecturing |
|
| Attendance |
| Oral Presentation |
| Assignment |
|
| Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule |
| Week |
Course Content |
| Week 1 |
Introduction |
| Week 2 |
Geography, visuality, and imperialism
James Ryan, Picturing Empire: Photography and the Visualization of the British Empire (Introduction)
John Thompson, Samuel Bourne (Travel photography) |
| Week 3 |
Landscapes and geography
James Ryan, Picturing Empire: Photography and the Visualization of the British Empire (Chapter 2)
Priya Jaikumar, ”An ’accurate imagination’: Place, Map and Archive as Spatial Objects of Film History” |
| Week 4 |
Special lecture |
| Week 5 |
Visualizing extraction
Goodyear short film, ”Conquering the Jungle” (1930)
Selected clips from colonial archives |
| Week 6 |
Afterimages of extraction
Nadine Chan, Rainforest Hermeneutics in the Military Training Film
Sim Chi Yin, One Day We’ll Understand (2015-present) |
| Week 7 |
Student choice of texts |
| Week 8 |
Midterm break and assignment |
| Week 9 |
Recap week |
| Week 10 |
Science fiction and the planetary
Denis Villeneuve, Dune (2021) |
| Week 11 |
Waste ecologies
Wang Jiuliang, Plastic China (2016) |
| Week 12 |
Oceans, migratory networks, and media
Mati Diop, Atlantics (2019) (not in library, on Netflix) |
| Week 13 |
Sensory ethnography
Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Verena Paravel, Leviathan (2012) |
| Week 14 |
Resource futures
Chi Po-lin, Beyond Beauty - Taiwan from Above (2013)
Riar Rizaldi, Fossilis (2024) |
| Week 15 |
Student presentations |
| Week 16 |
Final papers due |
self-directed
learning |
02.Viewing multimedia materials related to industry and academia.
04.Participation in visits or internships at industry, government, or academic institutions.
Museum visits and portfolio building |
|
| Evaluation |
Attendance and participation (20%)
Presentations (20%)
Midterm assignment (25%)
Final paper (35%) |
| Textbook & other References |
| David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction |
| Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website |
|
| Office Hours |
| By appointment. Please email to setup a meeting. |
| Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL) |
| 11.Sustainable Cities and Communities 15.Life On Land | include experience courses：N |
|