Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 824 G100

New Approaches in Moving-Image Studies (5)

Class Number: 6293

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines current research in film, video, and other time-based audiovisual medi. Specific topics will vary according to the research interests of the course instructor. May be repeated once for credit if both the instructor and topic are different.

COURSE DETAILS:

Instructor: Dr. Laura U. Marks

            Office: Woodward's 2875

            Office hours: Wednesdays 10-1 and by appointment      

            lmarks@sfu.ca  www.sfu.ca/~lmarks

 

This course examines recent and useful theories and methods for researching moving-image media, a field that is excitingly in flux. We won’t be reading many canonical texts, but recent syntheses that evince what I think are some of the most interesting new developments in moving-image studies. This year we will focus on material and energetic qualities of media and also go through the body to the cosmological, with a fairly international approach. If the syllabus doesn’t reflect your interests, I will help you identify some readings that do.

            The course focuses on method as much as theory, and we will practice deriving research methods from theories. During the course you will begin to identify and use appropriate theoretical approaches and research methods for the moving-image works, movements, and phenomena that interest you. In class we will hone skills in object-based forms of inquiry. The works (etc.) that interest you, which you will analyze in the annotated filmography, will help you identify your research approach, which you will develop in the annotated bibliography and proposal. These will form the basis of your final essay or project.

            I don’t expect you to master all the material, but I want you to be able to build on knowledge you already have and identify fruitful directions in which to take it.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

            situate their research interest in light of contemporary methods, concepts, and topics in moving-image studies;

            perform close analysis of moving-image works in relation to selected methods, concepts, and topics;

            develop their research interest into an original thesis and convincing argument;

            present their research to peers in a professional yet appealing way.

Grading

  • annotated filmography/case study with in-class component 20%
  • annotated bibliography with in-class component 20%
  • essay/project proposal 10%
  • presentation on work in progress 5%
  • essay/project 30%
  • attendance and participation 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings available through Canvas or SFU Library

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.