Module catalogue: SM7033

SM7033 - Representations of Reality (2024/25)

Module specification

Module approved to run in 2024/25

Module title

Representations of Reality

Module level

Masters (07)

Credit rating for module

School

School of Computing and Digital Media

Total study hours

200

164 hours	Guided independent study
36 hours	Scheduled learning & teaching activities

Assessment components

Type	Weighting	Qualifying mark	Description
Coursework	20%		Outline proposal (500 words)
Coursework	80%		Written essay (3500 words) or Archive-led Video Essay with full referencing (5-10 minutes)

Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)

Period	Campus	Day	Time	Module Leader
Autumn semester	North	Wednesday	Afternoon

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

Bibliography