Course Outline
School / Portfolio:
Faculty of Education and Arts
Course Title:
DOCUMENTARY FILM AND VIDEO
Course ID:
FLMGL3307
Credit Points:
15.00
Prerequisite(s):
(One introductory Media and Screen Studies course AND Two other Media and
Screen Studies courses)
Co-requisite(s):
Nil
Exclusion(s):
(FLMGL1107 and FLMGL2207 and FLMOL2204 and FLMOL3304)
ASCED Code:
100701
Program Level:
AQF Level of Program
5
6
7
8
9
10
Level
Introductory
Intermediate
Advanced
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.
Examine documentary modes;
K2.
Examine movements, subgenres and historical developments in non-fiction screen productions;
K3.
Explore the diversity of documentary approaches and content;
K4.
Explore theoretical issues and approaches relating to documentary film;
K5.
Critically reflect on the production, distribution and social significance of non-fiction screen texts.
Skills:
S1.
Identify various modes of non-fiction film and digital video;
S2.
Critically analyse documentaries in terms of their formal construction and content;
S3.
Apply complex ideas from secondary texts to film texts;
S4.
Apply skills in academic research, academic writing and referencing;
S5.
Articulate informed ideas in discussions about non-fiction screen texts and relevant secondary
material.
Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.
Analyse non-fiction screen texts;
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Course Outline
FLMGL3307 DOCUMENTARY FILM AND VIDEO
A2.
Apply ideas from advanced secondary texts to non-fiction screen texts;
A3.
Contribute to discussions with advanced level students about conceptual, theoretical, contextual
and/or historical aspects of non-fiction screen texts;
A4.
Produce a written argument, informed by research, screen textual analysis and critical thinking;
A5.
Apply correct methods of academic research, writing and citation of work, at an advanced level.
Course Content:
The course consists of topics that address a range of developments in non-fiction film, including
contemporary approaches to documentary. Each topic centres on an example of a documentary film or video
that is used to demonstrate a mode, historical development, subgenre or theme, while challenging students
to engage critically with both the primary example and secondary material. Screen examples include
Australian and foreign documentaries, television documentary, works of historical significance, digital
productions and recent high-profile films. Social, political, historical, theoretical and aesthetic aspects of nonfiction screen texts are included. Topics include basic documentary modes, political uses of documentary,
significant movements, subgenres and the influence of digital technology. Theoretical issues include the
relationship of documentaries to history, narrative form, representations of cultural difference and gender.
On completing the course, students will have an overview of the genre, its development and a range of
documentary approaches; they will be able to engage analytically and critically with non-fiction screen texts
and advanced level secondary material. A detailed weekly schedule and text list will be provided at the
beginning of the teaching period.
Values and Graduate Attributes:
Values:
V1.
Recognise and understand a range of documentary screen texts;
V2.
Recognise the social and historical significance of the documentary genre;
V3.
Appreciate the relationships between documentary production, social developments and critical
approaches;
V4.
Respect for other students, their opinions and backgrounds;
V5.
Value and apply the correct methods of writing, research and citation.
Graduate Attributes:
Attribute
Brief Description
Focus
Continuous Learning
Students have considerable knowledge of a range of aspects
and types of documentary, and advanced comprehension of
how the past aids understanding of current developments.
Medium
Self Reliance
Students have an advanced ability to undertake and complete
written work independently.
High
Engaged Citizenship
Students have an ability to work with a range of other people,
including students at the same level, in discussions of a wide
range of topics and social issues.
High
Social Responsibility
Students have an ability to engage with the diversity of
documentary in terms of approaches, subject matter and
social contexts, and advanced awareness of how
documentary contributes to understanding social
developments, both global and local.
Medium
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Course Outline
FLMGL3307 DOCUMENTARY FILM AND VIDEO
Learning Task and Assessment:
Learning
Outcomes
Assessed
Assessment Task
Assessment
Type
Weighting
Prepare for and participate in weekly class discussions
about course content, in face-to-face and/or online
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, mode. The mode/s to be made available will be
Tutorial
S1, S2, S3, S5, A2, announced at the beginning of the teaching period. In
preparation and
A3.
addition to participating regularly, each student will be
participation
required to contribute additional content, based on their
own research, to one week’s discussion.
5–15%
Develop a topic, in consultation with the course
K1, K2, K4, K5, S1,
coordinator, and write an analysis of a prescribed
S2, S3, S4, A1, A2,
documentary in terms of concepts relating to course
A4, A5.
reading and documentary.
Film analysis
20–35%
Complete short- and/or medium-answer questions.
Questions are designed to assess course coverage,
comprehension of theoretical material relating to
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5,
documentary, and the ability to apply theoretical
S1, S2, S3, A1, A2.
reading to examples. The Test will be undertaken in
either face-to-face or online mode, with the mode to be
announced at the beginning of the teaching period.
Test
20–35%
Develop own topic in consultation with the course
K1, K2, K4, K5, S2, coordinator, undertake independent research for, and
S3, S4, A1, A2, A4, write an essay involving the analytical study of a
A5.
movement, mode, subgenre and/or issue in
documentary.
Essay
35–45%
Adopted Reference Style:
Chicago
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