FT2WD-Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Note: This module is not available to students on FTT single or joint honours degrees.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: FT2FFC Film Forms and Cultures and FT2RFT Radical Forms and Practices in Theatre
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Adam O'Brien
Email: adam.obrien@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module gives students the opportunity to study wildlife documentaries and filmmaking addressing ecological issues. Students will engage with the relevant critical vocabulary and contextual knowledge to explore how meaning is created and constructed. Case studies may include David Attenborough’s landmark BBC series, nature documentaries such as March of the Penguins and climate change films such as An Inconvenient Truth. There may be a Q&A with a guest speaker from the creative industries.

Aims:

This module aims to give students critical insights into the intersections of filmmaking and ecology through a series of case studies. Students will address key questions concerning how films and television programmes address and/or seek to make an intervention into ecological challenges through creative choices that are shaped by and speak to production, industrial and socio-cultural contexts.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Deploy relevant film- and television-related terminology confidently;


• Demonstrate an understanding of the key critical debates about screen representations of ecological issues;


• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of a range of ways that filmmakers have explored ecological ideas and related formal, stylistic and thematic concerns; 

Analyse individual films and television programmes informed by relevant critical and theoretical perspectives.

Additional outcomes:

The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies, which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of films and television programmes.

Outline content:

The module will be structured by a number of relevant critical issues, introduced in lectures and explored through in-depth seminar discussion focused on selected case studies. Case studies may include: Nature documentaries such as March of the Penguins and Blackfish in relation to matters of style, technology, documentary practices and modes of address; climate change films such as An Inconvenient Truth or Ice and the Sky in relation to issues of authorshi p and advocacy; David Attenborough’s landmark BBC series (The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, etc.) in relation to public service broadcasting; films such as Grizzly Man and HORN in relation to performance, reflexivity and hybridity. There may be a Q&A with a guest speaker from the creative industries, and there will be tutorials for the summative assessment. (Note: this outline content is indicative, and may vary in practice.)

Global context:

The content of the module is international in scope.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Within the 1.5-hour class, a range of teaching styles will be used and may vary from week to week. Lectures will be used to establish contexts and relevant vocabulary, as well as to introduce issues for discussion and debate. Seminar-based discussion will concentrate on close analysis of case studies and discussion of critical approaches. Seminars and lectures will require preparation in the form of screenings and specified critical reading. There may be a Q& A with a guest speaker from t he creative industries.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		5
Seminars		5
Supervised time in studio/workshop		36
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		25
Wider reading (directed)		20
Preparation for tutorials		4
Preparation for presentations		32
Preparation for seminars		10
Essay preparation		53
Reflection		10
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Oral assessment and presentation	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students complete two coursework assignments: one group presentation and one 2,000 word essay.

Formative assessment methods:

There will be oral feedback throughout the module.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 12 October 2021