Media and film studies

Debates in Screen Documentary

Module code: P4107B
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar, Film
Assessment modes: Coursework

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.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the key themes, issues, and debates in documentary studies.
• Identify major films that have influenced the field and their contribution
• Identify the key historical movements in documentary practice
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate critical sources in their construction and development of written analysis and argument.