Overview
In this course students will view, discuss, and analyze documentary films to sharpen their critical assessment of how individuals, cultures, and events are depicted in this media. Films will be selected to include a mixture of contemporary documentaries about people and places.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will have:
- Developed critical and visual literacy perspectives appropriate to educated film audiences;
- Learned to engage and evaluate documentary films from various perspectives ranging from the aesthetic to the ethical;
- Engaged social issues in a variety of global societies though the narratives of films we view, as well as through comparison among films;
- Considered the multiple roles documentary film plays in society; as a medium of communication, as an important cultural artifact and as a form of art, popular culture, and social protest;
- Learned to analyze the difference between filmed, written, and oral history.
Topic Outline of Course
The Motion Picture Industry does not rate most documentaries. Some of the documentaries we will be viewing in this course may contain images, language and/or subjects that could be controversial in nature. It is therefore required that each student have parent or guardian permission to view these films. Permission slips must be returned by the second day of class to begin viewing.
Methods of Evaluation
| Assignment Categories |
% |
Letter Grades |
| Participation in Class Discussions |
25% |
A |
90% to 100% |
| Homework/Classwork |
20% |
B |
80% to 89% |
| Documentary Critique Paper |
25% |
C |
70% to 79% |
| Final Exam |
25% |
D |
60% to 69% |
| Study Grade |
5% |
F |
below 60% |
Participation
Each student is expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings and the films previously shown. The success of the course is dependent on the ability of students to intelligently articulate their thoughts about the documentary form and how the film fits into the genre. Films will not be available outside of class sessions. Therefore, attendance is necessary. Excessive unexcused absences will lower the course grade. All assignments are to be completed by the beginning of the class session in which they are due. |
