This unit contains mature or sensitive content and may not be suitable for some students.
Great Directors
UndergraduateGRF-CMM2412025
Take a seat alongside some of cinema’s most celebrated auteurs. Cast the spotlight on filmmakers like Kubrick, Bigelow, Scorsese and the Coens. Develop an understanding of how some directors can leave an undeniable stamp on each film they make.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 6 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 14 July 2025
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Great Directors
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will have:
- an improved understanding of film aesthetics in their historical contexts
- familiarity with critical and theoretical arguments and debates related to film aesthetics and the auteur--arguments and debates that are fundamental to the field of film and media studies, as well as cinema culture more generally
- an improved ability to think critically about film and film theory and apply this to critical analyses of film texts
- an improved ability to make close analyses of different types of film texts
- an improved ability to think more critically and write more clearly, as a consequence of having practised these skills while completing the subject.
- Introduction: the idea of the auteur/Howard Hawks I
- Howard Hawks II
- Kubrick I
- Kubrick II
- Scorsese I
- Scorsese II
- Bigelow I
- Bigelow II
- Guillermo Del Toro I
- Guillermo Del Toro II
- Taika Waititi I
- Taika Waititi II
This subject was previously known as Screen Analysis 2.
Take a seat alongside some of cinema’s most celebrated auteurs. Cast the spotlight on filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Guillermo Del Toro and Taika Waititi. Develop an understanding of how some directors can leave an undeniable stamp on each film they make.
The average entertainment film is the result of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of creative and technical personnel working together. And yet, certain directors have come to be known for their ability to put an individual stamp on their films, despite the collective and industrial nature of commercial film production. This subject looks closely at the work of such directors in studio era and contemporary Hollywood cinema, as well as global cinema more generally. Looking closely at the work of and critical responses toHollywood’s Howard Hawks, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, and Kathryn Bigelow, as well as Mexico’s Guillermo Del Toro and New Zealand’s Taika Waititi, this course emphases aesthetic and thematic close analyses while considering the idea of the director-as-film-author or auteur in its social, cultural and industrial contexts.
- Essay 1 (40%)
- Essay 2 (60%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Access to videos or DVDs or movie downloads.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG
UndergraduateGRF-COM-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.