FT2DOC: Documentary

Module code: FT2DOC

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Adam O'Brien, email: adam.obrien@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE FT1TSP OR TAKE FT1ITF OR TAKE FT1ITS OR TAKE FT1ES (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 27 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to develop analytical skills for and production knowledge of non-fiction film and television through close analysis of texts alongside an engagement with broader industrial, technological, institutional, as well as cultural, contexts. Students will engage with key critical debates and conceptual issues through discussion and analysis of texts, putting some of these ideas into practice. These methodologies will enable students to understand documentary-makers creative decision-making and their connection to wider ideological concerns.  

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Analyse and evaluate some of the major debates about the role of documentary in film and television
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between production process, aesthetics and narrative in documentary practice
3. Use methods of textual and contextual analysis along with short practical exercises to consider the effects of choices and decisions in the construction of meaning in documentary-making
4. Develop 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 and practical exercises using IT and digital technologies; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of documentary film and television; creative deployment of technology in the development and presentation of analysis and practical exercises.

Module content

The term will cover a series of case studies pertaining to classic and contemporary documentary film and television. We will look at key documentary modes including observational, interactive and poetic. We will consider the role of the archive in expository and compilation documentary, along with the effect of different kinds of narration and editing choices, and decisions over the level of reflexivity present. Authorship, together with documentary-makers’ relationship with their subject, will be an ongoing thread. (Note: this outline content is indicative and may vary in practice).  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The normal teaching pattern will be a combination of lectures and seminars, plus screenings, but may also include some longer interactive workshops. Lectures will be used to establish contexts and to introduce issues for discussion and debate. Seminars will concentrate mainly on the close analysis of extracts from television texts and the required reading. Short practical or desktop-based exercises will put some of the module’s theoretical ideas in practice, with space for reflection and peer feedback.  

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There will be oral and peer feedback throughout the module.  

Reassessment

Additional costs