KPB220 Factual Screens


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KPB220
Credit points:12
Equivalent:KPB205
Coordinator:Phoebe Hart | p2.hart@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces the traditions of documentary film and television production, stylistic practices in documentary and documentary scripts, and methodologies for producing ethnographic, indigenous and cross cultural documentaries. Understanding the role documentary performs in our media age provides a crucial literacy to this film forms. You will be exposed to the history and theory behind documentary, enabling you to conceptualise and plan your own documentary productions and critique the place of them alongside factual and fictional forms of filmmaking in the contemporary media landscape. The documentary filmmaking tradition has involved many crucial aesthetic, technical and ethical concerns throughout history. For film, screen and animation students, this unit aids you to integrate its contents into documentary scripts and productions, while for other disciplines' students, the unit provides the theoretical underpinnings and processes of documentary production.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify and explain issues confronting audiences and practitioners in documentary practice.
  2. Critically analyse ethical and cross-cultural considerations central to documentary practice.
  3. Identify different production methodologies and stylistic choices in documentary.

Content

This unit introduces you to a diverse range of topics such as: theoretical and practical considerations on for instance, the nature of documentary; modes and style of representation within documentary; the documentary tradition in Australia; documentary ethnography; the documentary as ‘truth’ construct.

Learning Approaches

This unit will be taught through lectures and tutorials, complemented by required readings and screenings. All screened films and reference texts will be available through a combination of library reserve items and freely accessible through QUT licensed online downloads. As appropriate, in tutorials you will concentrate on expanding your understandings of the theoretical and historical issues underpinning contemporary documentary practices as outlined from the lectures and screenings.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

  • a range of formative exercises discussed and applied in class
  • generic comments posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website
  • feedback from peers as you investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
  • comments about summative assessment work included on criteria sheets with your grade.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessments for this unit. The first is an oral presentation, where you offer a critical analysis of a documentary. The second is a major written essay in which you present an argument addressing historical, theoretical and formal issues relating to the genre of documentary as it manifests in many forms.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Faculty Assessment Information see the Canvas site for this unit. This includes information on late assignments and assignment extensions.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Critique (oral)

For this assessment you are required to present an in-class critical analysis of a documentary.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid-Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Essay

The final assessment is a critique-based essay, addressing a combination of historical, theoretical and formal elements contextualising documentary.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

As well as the list of recommended references below, you will have access to readings and other resources via the unit Canvas website.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Fox, B. (2018). Documentary media : history, theory, practice (Second edition.). New York, NY: Routledge.

Reference book(s)

Barnouw, E. (1983) Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film, OUP, Oxford.

Bruzzi, S. (2000) New Documentary: a critical introduction, Routledge, London.

Corner, J. (2005) New Challenges for Documentary, Manchester University Press, Manchester.

Ellis, J. (2011) Documentary Witness and Self-revelation, Routledge, London/New York.

Fitzsimons, T., Laughren, P., Williamson, D. (2011) Australian Documentary – history and practices and Genres, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Moran, A. (1991) Projecting Australia: Government Film since 1945, Currency Press, Sydney.

Nicholls, B. (2001) Introduction to Documentary, Indiana Uni Press.

Ragiger, M. (1998) Directing the Documentary, Focal Press, London.

Renov, M. (1993) Theorizing Documentary, Routledge, London.

Renov. M. (2004) The Subject of Documentary, Univ of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.

Winston, B. (1995) Claiming the Real, BFI, London.

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

This unit also requires a Tier 2 Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio. 'Not all students are required to complete the Tier 2 induction.

This unit also requires a Tier 3 Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery. Not all students are required to complete the Tier 3 induction.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

There are no out-of-ordinary risks for this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
    Relates to: ULO2
  2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
  3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  4. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
    Relates to: ULO3
  5. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, and work with integrity across creative practice networks.
    Relates to: ULO2

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  3. Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
    Relates to: ULO2