Debates in Screen Documentary (P4107B)
15 credits, Level 5
Autumn teaching
On this module, you'll explore major questions in the study of documentary film, examining non-fiction forms in cinema and beyond. Topics covered include:
- documentary realisms
- authorship and documentary authority
- objectivity and subjectivity
- documentary re-enactment
- essayistic and experimental documentary modes
- documentary and the internet.
You’ll also study key movements and trends in documentary, including practices like the mockumentary, interactive documentary and documentary's move into the art gallery. Case studies include international works such as:
- Citizenfour
- The Gleaners and I
- Behemoth
- Fahrenheit 911
- The Act of Killing
- Close-Up.
Teaching
80%: Lecture (Film, Lecture)
20%: Seminar
Assessment
100%: Coursework (Essay)
Contact hours and workload
This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 60 hours of contact time and about 90 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.
We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.