SM7033 - Representations of Reality (2021/22)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2021/22 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Representations of Reality | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2021/22(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module unpacks the history, aesthetic and cultural impact of documentary and non-fiction filmmaking. Beginning with early experiments and the avant-garde, we investigate how film, television and new media production has captured and distorted reality.
Exploring the myriad of documentary forms from the traditional to the unorthodox, this course explores the broad range of creative opportunities offered by this exciting, fluid and occasionally controversial genre.
London Metropolitan University is part of the BFI / BBC initiative Archives for Education. This module incorporates and engages with the BBC and BFI archives throughout the module. Students have the opportunity to work directly with the archives as part of their final coursework.
Syllabus
The Russian Avant-Garde
The Politics of Documentary
Don’t Look Now to Dvortsevoy
The Documentary Essay
Archives for Education Project
Performative and Participatory styles
Portrait of a Person
Portrait of a Place
Music in non-fiction
Animated Documentary
Learning Outcome LO 1 - 4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Scheduled teaching and learning will consist of weekly classes comprising a combination of lectures, seminars, screenings and workshops, supplemented by tutorials and use of the University’s blended learning platform (VLE).
Students will undertake independent study, including research, planning, guided reading and viewing of films (including the opportunity to work with major film and television archives).
There will opportunities to present project proposals and work in progress, in-class feedback and discussions encourage self-reflection, which is reinforced by peer and tutor input.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
LO1 Classify and define a wide range of documentary and non-fiction forms
LO2 Reflect on and critique documentary as a reliable record of social and cultural subject matter
LO3 Discuss and appraise the ethical issues that arise as a result of differing documentary production techniques
LO4 Explore and analyse the creative possibilities offered by documentary and non-fiction forms
Assessment strategy
The assessment consists of two parts. The first is an initial proposal (500 words) which asks the student to formulate a research question based on topics discussed during the course. Alternatively, students can choose to devise an idea for a video essay in response to archive material (i.e. BBC and BFI Archives for Education). The proposal should outline their plans, structure and anticipated content and a list of key research sources.
The second part, based on plans outlined above, is an extended written essay (3500 words) or an Archive-led Video Essay (5-10 minutes) with full referencing.
Bibliography
See link to reading list resources here: https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/59506AF9-6A0F-65DE-E2BB-626421F9A3EF.html?lang=en-GB&login=1