Updated on 30052018

Revised on 20072020
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Module Outline

School/Department: Social Science

Module Code & Title: GEN1016 Hong Kong Cinema
Credit Units: 3 Year: 1-4
QF Level1 (2-6): 5 (mapping with relevant GLD) Hours: 45 hours
Major2 [] (mapping with relevant PILO)
3
Module Classification: Minor []
Business Core4 []
(Multiple options are
Business Elective5 [Please refer to programme information of relevant programme]
acceptable, please “ ” the
box where appropriate) Common Core Curriculum6 (mapping with relevant learning outcomes)
Chinese English Information Technology Quantitative Methods
General Education7 [Cluster ( 1/ 2/ 3/ 4)] GEN1000
Chinese ( Cantonese/ Putonghua) Chinese English
Medium of Assessment
English Others (please specify):
Instruction8: Language:
Others (please specify): _________ _________
Lecture (__3__hours/week) Laboratory (____hours/week) Tutorial (____hours/week)
Mode(s) of Delivery:
standard class size: 40 standard class size: 35 standard class size: 25

MOOC (if applicable): Learning Mode __________ hours Online learning plus _________ hours Face-to-face teaching

Prerequisites9: Nil

Exclusions10: Nil

This module surveys the industrial patterns, aesthetics, themes and challenges of Hong Kong
cinema, from its inception to the most recent years in a global context. In this process, students
would be familiarized with the history and the scholarly discussion of this unique cinema. They
Module Description: would also be guided to understand its connection to local issues as well as its interaction with
the world cinema. At the end of the module, students are expected to have not only a solid
knowledge of this important part of Chinese-language films, but also a high level of media
literacy to read an audiovisual text independently and critically.
Weighting
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
(if applicable)
a. Demonstrate a solid knowledge of Hong Kong cinema, in terms of its
30%
history, common themes and styles;
Module Intended b. distinguish major theories and scholarly discussions in Film/ Cultural
Learning Outcomes 20%
Studies.
(MILO):
c. apply evidence-based approaches to the socio-political implications of
25%
cultural artefacts in Hong Kong context; and
d. Interpret a film text independently and critically. 25%
Total: 100%
Notes:
1. QF Level is determined in accordance with the Generic Level Descriptors (GLD)
2. Major: A core/elective module for any Major/Concentration/Stream of Study
3. Minor: A core/elective module for any Minor Study
4. Business Core: A business core module for any Major/Concentration/Stream of Study
5. Business Elective: A business elective module for any Major/Concentration/Stream of Study
6. Common Core Curriculum: A CCC module that has been approved by the Common Core Curriculum Committee
7. General Education: Cluster 1 – Humanities Cluster 2 – Social Sciences
Cluster 3 – Science and Technology Cluster 4 – Moral Reasoning
8. The official Medium of Instruction is English, unless otherwise approved by Academic Board
9. Prerequisites: Prior knowledge in these modules are required for taking the existing module
10. Exclusions: Any modules which are mutually exclusive from the existing module in a course of study
11. All modules will be regarded as Free Elective except those excluded modules
12. Pedagogical Methods: Lecture, Tutorial, Guest speaker, Internship, Case study, Field study, Role playing,
Company visit, Student presentation, e-learning / Computer software application, Project, Independent study,
Simulation game, Service learning, Exercise and problem, Others (please specify)
 Module Intended
Learning Outcomes
Total
(MILO):
a b c d
1. Introduction
1.1 The Ideas of “National Cinema” and
“Chinese Language Films”
1.2 Early Cinema
1.3 Shanghai Connection
1.4 The Rise of Hong Kong Cinema

2. The Cantonese/ Mandarin Cinema in the 50s

and 60s
2.1 The Left Camp vs. the Right Camp
2.2 Cantonese Filmmaking and Union Motion
Picture
Module 2.3 The Two Major Studios: Shaw Brothers
Content: and Cathay
3. Film Genres, Auteur Theory and Film Music
3.1 The New Martial Arts Movies, “Hero
Films”, Film Noir and Musical
3.2 New Wave Cinema and Hong Kong New
Wave
3.3 Films by Wong Kar-wai
4. Localization and Globalization
4.1 Nostalgia Film and Hong Kong Identity
4.2 Pan-Asian Cinema
4.3 The Non-Mainstreams: Documentaries
and Independent Production

1. Lecture
Pedagogical
2. Discussions
Methods12:
3. Screenings
1. Participation 10%

Assessment 2. Group Presentation 20%

Methods: 3. Midterm Paper 20%
4. Final Paper 50%
Weighting: 30% 20% 25% 25% 100%
 1. Bordwell, David. (2000). Planet Hong Kong: Popular Cinema and the Art of
Entertainment. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.*
2. Cheung, E.M.K., and Chu, Yiu-wai (2004). Between Home and World: A Reader in
Hong Kong Cinema. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.
3. Lu, Sheldon Hsiao-peng (ed.) (1997). Transnational Chinese Cinemas – Identity,
Nationhood, Gender. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.
Texts & 4. Lu, Sheldon H., and Yeh, Emilie yueh-yu (ed.) (2005). Chinese-Language Film,
References: Historiography, Poetics, Politics. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.
(*recommended 5. Marchetti ,Gina and Tan See Kam (2007). No Film is An Island: Hong Kong Film,
textbook(s)) Hollywood and the New Global Cinema. London and New York: Routledge.
6. Teo, Stephen (1997). Hong Kong Cinema: The Extra Dimensions. London: British Film
Institute.*
7. Yau, Esther C.M. (ed.) (2001). At Full Speed: Hong Kong Cinema in a Borderless
World. Minneapolis; London: University of Minnesota Press.
8. (2004) ( ) *
1.
Other 2.
Information