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  2. Screen Studies 2 [SCR5125]

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Screen Studies 2

  • Unit Code

    SCR5125

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit examines the development of the documentary from its inception, covering the major documentary theorists and practitioners. It also examines various documentary movements and their social, political and economic applications. Case studies of other variations of the documentary tradition are undertaken. Students will examine these issues and trends and assess their relevance and impact upon an aspect of the Australian screen industry.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and critically reflect upon the key historical movements in documentary, and evaluate their contribution to the development of the form.
  2. Apply theoretical perspectives to their own documentary practice and communicate this to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major characteristics of the documentary form in both film and television.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods appropriate to an investigative project.
  5. Identify and research issues or trends that are relevant to the Australian screen industry.
  6. Recognise and critique the different forms the documentary has taken.

Unit Content

  1. Contemporary hybrid fact-fiction forms.
  2. Documentary as a media industry.
  3. Ethical concerns in documentary practice.
  4. Historical evolution of documentary styles.
  5. Screen studies research methods and practice. Students will be required to identify an issue or trend relevant to the Australian screen industry and develop a hypothesis that will lead to an investigative research project. Students will be responsible for designing the research methodology and conducting the field analysis. The project will be written up as research report.
  6. Subjectivity, objectivity and the representation of reality in documentary.
  7. The role of documentary.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Screenings. Seminar discussions. Workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
JournalTutorial report40%
AssignmentProject60%

Text References

  • Beattie, K. (2004). Documentary screens: Nonfiction film and television. London, United Kingdom: Palgrave.
  • Ward, P. (2006). Documentary: Reality at the margins. London, United Kingdom: Wallflower.
  • Rosenthal, A., & Corner, J. (Eds.). New challenges for documentary. (2nd ed.). Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press
  • Roscoe, J., & Hight, C. (2001). Faking it: Mock-documentary and the subversion of factuality. Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press.
  • Rhodes, G., & Springer, J. (Eds.). (2006). Docufictions: Essays on the intersection of documentary and fictional filmmaking. Jefferson: McFarland.
  • Bernard, S. (2003). Documentary storytelling for video and filmmakers. Boston: Butterworth Heinemann.
  • Bruzzi, S. (2000). New documentary. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.
  • Ellis, J., & McLane, B. (2005). A new history of documentary film. New York: Continuum.
  • Grant, B., & Sloniowski (Eds.). (1998). Documenting the documentary: Close readings of documentary film and video. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
  • Nichols, B. (2001). Introduction to documentary. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Journal References

  • Studies in Documentary Film
  • Sight and Sound
  • Metro
  • Wide Angle

Website References

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCR5125|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Screen Studies 2

  • Unit Code

    SCR5125

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit examines the development of the documentary from its inception, covering the major documentary theorists and practitioners. It also examines various documentary movements and their social, political and economic applications. Case studies of other variations of the documentary tradition are undertaken. Students will examine these issues and trends and assess their relevance and impact upon an aspect of the Australian screen industry.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse and critically reflect upon the key historical movements in documentary, and evaluate their contribution to the development of the form.
  2. Apply theoretical perspectives to their own documentary practice and communicate this to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major characteristics of the documentary form in both film and television.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods appropriate to an investigative project.
  5. Identify and research issues or trends that are relevant to the Australian screen industry.
  6. Recognise and critique the different forms the documentary has taken.

Unit Content

  1. Contemporary hybrid fact-fiction forms.
  2. Documentary as a media industry.
  3. Ethical concerns in documentary practice.
  4. Historical evolution of documentary styles.
  5. Screen studies research methods and practice. Students will be required to identify an issue or trend relevant to the Australian screen industry and develop a hypothesis that will lead to an investigative research project. Students will be responsible for designing the research methodology and conducting the field analysis. The project will be written up as research report.
  6. Subjectivity, objectivity and the representation of reality in documentary.
  7. The role of documentary.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Screenings. Seminar discussions. Workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
JournalTutorial report40%
AssignmentProject60%

Text References

  • Beattie, K. (2004). Documentary screens: Nonfiction film and television. London, United Kingdom: Palgrave.
  • Ward, P. (2006). Documentary: Reality at the margins. London, United Kingdom: Wallflower.
  • Rosenthal, A., & Corner, J. (Eds.). New challenges for documentary. (2nd ed.). Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press
  • Roscoe, J., & Hight, C. (2001). Faking it: Mock-documentary and the subversion of factuality. Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press.
  • Rhodes, G., & Springer, J. (Eds.). (2006). Docufictions: Essays on the intersection of documentary and fictional filmmaking. Jefferson: McFarland.
  • Bernard, S. (2003). Documentary storytelling for video and filmmakers. Boston: Butterworth Heinemann.
  • Bruzzi, S. (2000). New documentary. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.
  • Ellis, J., & McLane, B. (2005). A new history of documentary film. New York: Continuum.
  • Grant, B., & Sloniowski (Eds.). (1998). Documenting the documentary: Close readings of documentary film and video. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
  • Nichols, B. (2001). Introduction to documentary. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Journal References

  • Studies in Documentary Film
  • Sight and Sound
  • Metro
  • Wide Angle

Website References

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCR5125|1|2