Overview

The unit will expose students to a wide range of historically significant animation. Students will learn how to analyse the aesthetics, filmmaking styles and techniques of various productions. They will be able to articulate the manner in which animation has evolved throughout its history.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Describe the historical significance of a wide range of animation and animation filmmakers
  2. Analyse the narrative and visual techniques of animation filmmaking
  3. Recognise the context of Australian animation production within global filmmaking
  4. Analyse the critical factors that inform and impact current animation practice
  5. Correctly apply animation terminology

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture		2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Class		1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various		4.00 12 weeks 48
Unspecified Activities
Various		5.50 12 weeks 66
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 60% 1,2,3,4,5 
EssayIndividual 30% 1,2,5 
TestIndividual 10% 1,2,5 

Content

  • Early animation devices and techniques
  • Pioneers of studio and experimental animation
  • Significant studios, their creators, models and films
  • Realist and minimalist animation aesthetics
  • Independent animation and the impact on creative diversity
  • Propaganda, subversive and banned animation
  • European animation, and the difference from East to West
  • Computer animation and its evolution
  • Asian animation, influential figures, genres and films
  • Australian animation, significant figures, studios and their impact on independent and commercial animation
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.