Constructing Reality 2: practice-based research and documentary film making in the digital age (P02643)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : LLC-P-P02643

Constructing Reality 2 adopts a practice-based approach to cultural research, in which students will employ digital technology as a means to engage with cultural issues. Concentrating on similar cultural themes as in Constructin Reality 1; such as exile, gender, security and consumption, the course seeks to understand through practice, the visual, structural and emotional strategies employed by documentary filmmakers in their attempts to represent reality to an audience.

In this way students will be introduced to the process of creating ‘visual truths’, utilising the audio-visual techniques central to the creative art of documentary filmmaking. The course will also provide transferable skills in the areas of digital technology, organisation, communication and knowledge transfer.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Preference will be give to those students who have completed Constructing Reality 1, however, students who can demonstrate a knowledge of film theory or practice will be allowed to take the course as a stand alone option - numbers permitting.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Common Courses (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures), (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Tutorial	Thursday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students will:
- have an understanding of the divergent strategies employed in the construction of visual truth claims
- be able to understand the different professional roles and responsibilities of documentary film and factual television production in contemporary culture
- be able to create a short documentary film, actively engaging with visual strategies for constructing reality, and to be able to communicate such an analysis to both peers and a general audience
- have an introduction to the skills necessary to conduct practice-based research in the area of cultural studies.

Assessment Information

The course will be assessed through student presentations of a 4 -10 minute audio-visual work (submitted on dvd). Furthermore, student groups will also be required to keep a production notebook charting the genesis of their research project as well as individually submitting a 1000 word essay reflecting critically upon their practice.