| Unit name | Documentary Histories and Practices |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATV20009 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Brookes |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
FATV10002 Close-up on Film or FATV10001 Filmmaking Fundamentals |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The unit will consider key moments and texts in the history of documentary film and television production, and explore the ethical, social and aesthetic questions they raise. Specifically, the unit will explore the problems of history, actuality, indexicality and evidence that documentary poses makers and audiences. The unit will focus on considering modes, styles and contexts for documentary making, leading to the production of a documentary work.
The unit aims to:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
(1) demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of histories of documentary film, television and interactive media;
(2) engage in a detailed and informed fashion with the theoretical contexts of documentary forms and practices;
(3) analyse and evaluate competing perceptions of documentary film, television and interactive media;
(4) work constructively and creatively in a group-based workshop and engage in peer critique;
(5) work independently and reach individual/personal judgements within a collaborative context;
(6) work within the disciplines of production and project processes, working to deadlines and within production budgets;
(7) articulate an understanding of the aesthetics of a project as a whole and translate this into practice.
Weekly workshop, lecture, and screening.
4-8 minute documentary film or related documentary work (50%) ILO 1, 4-7
2000 word reflexive account of practical work (50%) ILO 1-3, 6-7
Films will be made in groups and the required length will vary, depending on the number of students involved and the specific nature of the project. Films made in groups are awarded a single grade.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. FATV20009).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
