FI326-15 Issues in Documentary
Introductory description
n/a
Module aims
This module offers students the chance to explore, in depth, the history and aesthetics of film and television documentary and other ways of representing reality in audio-visual media.
The specific structure of the module will change from year to year, but will always introduce students to key intellectual and theoretical questions about the status of documentary. Consideration will also be paid to documentary history. Students will explore a range of different stylistic approaches to the form, analyze a range of audio-visual works from different historical periods and read a range of critical works central to the conceptualization of documentary.
The module will be taught via a weekly lecture and seminar, informed by primary and secondary screenings and weekly readings, plus one essay tutorial per student.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Indicative screenings:
GPO films (e.g. Night Mail (Harry Watt & Basil Wright, 1936), Granton Trawler (John Grierson, 1934), A Colour Box (Len Lye, 1934))
Jean Painlevé shorts (e.g. L'Hippocampe (1934) and Cristaux Liquides (1978))
Paris is Burning (Jennie Livingston, 1990)
Primary (Robert Drew, 1960)
Chronique d'un été (Jean Rouch, 1961)
Atomic Café (Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty, Pierce Rafferty, 1982)
The Fog of War (Errol Morris, 2003)
Dont Look Back (D. A. Pennebaker, 1967)
Geri (Molly Dineen, 1999)
Stop Making Sense (Jonathan Demme, 1984)
Searching For Sugar Man (Malik Bendjelloul, 2012)
Amy (Asif Kapadia, 2015)
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- understand the issues and approaches central to the study of documentary film, television and video, and be able to evaluate critically and mobilise key theoretical concepts, perspectives and methodologies in relation to this genre.
- offer critical, evaluative textual analyses of the film, television and video texts attended to on the module.
- understand historical and contemporary trends in documentary film, television and video and have a firm grasp of the history of the documentary form.
- undertake independent research into documentary and the representation of fact.
- express their understanding of documentary clearly in written form.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
This module develops skills of audio-visual literacy, through close textual and/or contextual analysis in relation to the moving image and sound. It may also develops understandings of historical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks relevant to screen arts and cultures.
Transferable skills
- critical and analytical thinking in relation
- independent research skills
- team work
- clarity and effectiveness of communication, oral and written
- accurate, concise and persuasive writing
- audio-visual literacy
- inter-cultural awareness
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (25%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (25%) |
| Tutorials | (0%) |
| Other activity | 18 hours (50%) |
| Total | 36 hours |
Private study description
Reading, viewing, seminar preparation, presentation preparation, essay preparation and writing
Other activity description
Screenings
Costs
| Category | Description | Funded by | Cost to student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other |
n/a |
Department | £0.00 |
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| 5000 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
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This essay is designed to enable you to demonstrate the skills that you have developed in textual analysis and the critical reading of documentary texts during the module. It is an exercise in combining research, reading and textual analysis and any essay should attend to all three aspects in a meaningful and balanced way. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Detailed written feedback will be given on the essay, along with individual tutorials before submission and after grading where requested.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UFIA-W620 Undergraduate Film Studies
- Year 4 of UFIA-W621 Undergraduate Film Studies (with Year Abroad)
- Year 4 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature
- Year 4 of UFIA-QW26 Undergraduate Film and Literature (with Study Abroad)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature