MEDIA 704 : Documentary: The Real Returns

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A theoretical and historical study of the documentary, focusing on significant works in the canon. The syllabus includes topics such as reality and representation; documentary modes and forms of address; ethnographies and cultural difference; documentary, politics and human rights.

Course Overview

In this paper, we will examine some of the major documentaries to emerge since film began, from the actualities of the Lumière’s through to contemporary documentary from the US, NZ and China. We will also engage with theories that have emerged from a discussion of the documentary, entering into the thorny debate of what documentary actually is and its relation to “reality”.

There are usually two documentaries assigned for screening each week and two to three readings, that students need to view/complete prior to class.  Students are required, singly or in pairs, to run at least one presentation session that engages with the weekly materials. The other two linked assessments are a Research Proposal and a Research Essay.

Note: A number of the documentaries contain disturbing material, so be prepared.

Course Requirements

Restriction: FTVMS 704, 722

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explore the history of documentary as a genre (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 2.2)
  2. Critically analyse documentary's relationship representation, history and 'reality' (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 3.1)
  3. Present and discuss issues pertaining to the texts assigned, engaging with the class (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 4.1, 4.3 and 5.2)
  4. Develop an analysis of the genre and its significance to cultural and political life (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Apply writing skills that draw on a range of critical theory and documentary studies (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Research Proposal 20% Individual Coursework
Research Essay 60% Individual Coursework

Learning Resources

Resources: All readings are available through Talis (accessed through the Canvas page Reading List) either as digital copies or through the short loan desk at the General Library. The assigned documentaries are also available either as digital copies or are on DVD. The latter will need to be screened onsite at the Library.  
Major texts include: Grant, B. and Jeanette Sloniowski, eds. Documenting the Documentary:  Close Readings of Documentary Film and Video, Detroit: Wayne University Press, 1998.
Chanan, M.   The Politics of Documentary, London: British Film Institute, 2007.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course on which students are expected to spend  20 hours per week.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, 12 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 8 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 07/01/2020 03:32 p.m.