This unit contains mature or sensitive content and may not be suitable for some students.
Hollywood Cinema
Undergraduate
GRF-CMM281 2025Previously GRF-CMM28
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 26 Oct 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Hollywood Cinema
About this subject
Key learning criteria:
- Improve generic skills in critical analysis that are fundamental to continued work in film and media studies
- improve discipline-specific knowledge of Hollywood, which is likewise fundamental to continued work in film and media studies
- through completion of your assessment items, improve your written communication skills
- through analysis of films in their historical, industrial, and cultural contexts, improve discipline-specific skills that will help you succeed in future film and media degrees.
- by reading key works of scholarship, improve your knowledge of Hollywood history and your understanding of the discipline of film and media studies.
- Studio-era Hollywood and classic Hollywood film;
- Post-studio era Hollywood, post-classical, and contemporary Hollywood film
This subject was previously known as Classic Hollywood Cinema.
Explore the history of Hollywood film-making from its earliest productions to the contemporary blockbuster. Beginning with a brief look at early cinema (the 1890s to the 1910s), we focus in the first half of the subject on the industrial and technological development of the Hollywood studio system and its production of the classic Hollywood film. During this period (1920s to the 1950s) we see Hollywood develop as a national cinema and the beginnings of its role in global film cultures.
In the second half of the subject, we investigate the industrial, technological and aesthetic transformations of what is sometimes described as 'post-classical' Hollywood (1960s to the present), concluding with a look at the globally-owned and distributed, multimedia industry that is contemporary Hollywood. The subject aims to develop skills in historical research and textual analysis, as well as a better and more critical understanding of Hollywood film, industries, and cultures.
- 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 Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
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).
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
GRF-CMM28 (Not currently available)
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
Undergraduate
GRF-ART-DEGUndergraduate
GRF-COM-DEGSingle 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.