FILM 2001 - Persuasion and Propaganda: Documentary Cinema
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
-
General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code FILM 2001 Course Persuasion and Propaganda: Documentary Cinema Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study Restrictions Students must be 18 years of age at the commencement of course due to the discussion of R-rated themes and materials. Assessment Research portfolio, Mini research essay, Major research essay Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Ben McCann
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
-
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. identify different forms of documentary and non-fiction film and their role as instruments of conveying persuasion and propaganda
2. understand the theoretical debates and issues involved in the representation of historical events on screen
3. evaluate the ethical and persuasive implications of films that refer to the real world
4. demonstrate an appreciation of the rhetorical strategies used in documentary and non-fiction filmsUniversity Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1, 2, 3, 4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
2, 3, 4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
3, 4 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
1, 2, 3, 4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
1, 2, 3, 4 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
The films to be studied will be confirmed in early February 2025, and will be published on the dedicated Canvas site for FILM 2001 shortly afterwards.
You will watch a film each week. Most films will be available for home viewing through Kanopy, a free streaming service hosted by the University. Others will be available to watch on YouTube.
Further details on how to watch the films will be posted on Canvas shortly before the start of the course.
Some films will be screened in class and periodically 'paused' to assist student discussion and feedback.
There is no textbook required for this course: all required and optional course readings will be made available through Canvas before the start of the course.Recommended Resources
Aitken, Ian (ed.) (2005), Encyclopedia of the Documentary Film. New York: Routledge
Nichols, Bill (2017), Introduction to Documentary, 3rd edition. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University PressOnline Learning
This course will use MyUni, Echo360 and other resources to be announced. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course requires active participation in both the lecture and the workshop formats.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Workload - structured learning Total hours 12 x 2 hour screenings 24 12 x 2 hour seminars 24 TOTAL 48 Workload - self-directed learning Total hours 4.5 hours reading per week 56 2 hours research / lecture preparation per week 24 2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 TOTAL 102 GRAND TOTAL 150 Learning Activities Summary
Classes will comprise a mixture of screenings, mini-lectures, small group activities and writing workshops.
For the detailed work schedule, see the Canvas page, available to all enrolled students.Specific Course Requirements
Students are expected to read the texts set for the given weeks in advance and prepare their answers to any set questions, as required. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Task type Weighting Course Learning Outcomes Research portfolio Summative
and formative25% 1, 2, 3, 4 Mini research essay Summative
and formative25% 1, 2, 3, 4 Major research essay Formative 50% 1, 2, 3, 4 Assessment Related Requirements
n/aAssessment Detail
Assessment Description Weighting Research portfolio Students will develop a portfolio of bibliographic material, images and stills, and critical analysis on 4 chosen films in the course (c. 1500 words) 25% Mini
research essayStudents will write a 1000-word essay on a specific topic in the course 25% Major
research essayStudents will write a 2000-word essay on a specific topic in the cours 50% Submission
All assignments will be submitted electronically on or before the due date.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
-
Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
-
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
-
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
-
Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
