FdA Creative Practices - UCY

MODULE HANDBOOK

SPECIALIST PATHWAY 1 (MEDIA PRACTICE) - UA1AD4-20-1

LeveI: 1

UWE Credit Rating: 20

ModuIe Type: COURSEWORK

ModuIe Leader: KARL RAWSTRONE

ModuIe Staff: KARL RAWSTRONE

Owning UWE FacuIty: FCA

Assessment DeadIine: 9
th
JANUARY 2012 (9 pm)


VERSIONING REALITY - DOCUMENTARY, POWER AND REPRESENTATION

Introduction:

The point of this moduIe is to deveIop your technicaI production skiIIs and your
abiIity to Iook criticaIIy at content and issues in the media. In addition you wiII get to
deveIop your group skiIIs and get used to working together under a tight deadIine
and heavy workIoad.

In this moduIe you wiII deveIop your research and inquiry skiIIs in the investigation
and production of documentary artefacts.

The moduIe is spIit into two parts:

In the first four weeks you wiII investigate the contexts, practices and issues
surrounding documentary production and produce a documentary on this work.

In the Iatter eight weeks, you wiII choose from a short Iist of topics of particuIar
reIevance to the contemporary media scene and produce a documentary based on
your research.

In both cases, you wiII work in smaII groups. Your contribution to group activities
incIuding seminars, Iectures and production activities is individuaIIy assessed, so
make sure you jump in a 'get your hands dirty'. Speak up and don't be scared of
saying something stupid - we aII do that!

FaiIure to meet screening and presentation deadIines wiII resuIt in a significant
grade-reduction.

Assignment 1. Screening: Tuesday 18
th
October at 1pm.

DOCUMENTARY: THE DOCUMENTARY

Through lectures, seminars (group discussions) and your own guided reading and research, you
will investigate the following themes:

O What is 'Documentary'?
O The history of factual media production.
O ssues of representation and ethics.
O Documentary forms and practices.

Working in small groups, you will develop and produce a short (5 minutes +/- 5 sec) documentary
segment based on one of the themes in this work. These segments will then be compiled (by you
as a group) into a single piece, appropriately titled, captioned and credited.

Your work should demonstrate:

O Extensive reading and research into the topic.
O An understanding of social, historical and theoretical issues.
O An understanding of documentary forms and audience appreciation.
O A developing technical and craft skill-set.

________________________________________________________

Assignment 2. Screening 1: Tuesday 29
th
November at 1pm.
FinaI Screening: Tuesday 13
th
December at 1pm.

TOPIC-BASED RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION

Through seminars (group discussions) and your own reading and research, you will work in groups
of three to investigate the following issues which are the subject of debate in media practice and
education (one per group):

1. Wikileaks the boundaries of journalism?
2. 'Hackgate' power and responsibility in the media.
3. Mediating Youth the creation and representation of young-people's cultures.

Working in small groups, you will develop and produce a 10 minute +/- 5 sec) documentary based
on your chosen topic, appropriately titled, captioned and credited.

Though you will be concentrating on your own topic; you will be required to (and be assessed on)
your engagement with debates on , three topics.

Your work should demonstrate:

O Extensive reading and research into the topic.
O An understanding of social, historical and theoretical issues.
O The ability to identify, develop and support an argument with research.
O An understanding of documentary forms and audience appreciation.
O A developing technical and craft skill-set.



You wiII need to record and demonstrate:
O Your understanding of the social, historical and theoretical issues surrounding your
work.
O A critical approach to research, production and personal development.
O A creative and constructive participation in the group.
O Developing technical skills and aesthetic awareness.

All of your class-notes, developmental work and final pieces needs to be published to your
Weebly site, and you will need to keep on top of your blogging. More details in the next
section.


This moduIe Iinks to other moduIes you wiII be studying:

CREATIVE CULTURES 1: n this module you will be studying the creation and negotiation
of meaning in visual culture. Topics such as representation, ideology and postmodern
perspectives on knowledge and communication should enrich your ability to think critically
and creatively about how 'reality' is a negotiated, not fixed, concept and how the control of
representations of ourselves is a vital part of our social and political lives.

CREATIVE PRACTICES 1: n this module you will be developing your communication and
creative skills and appreciation by investigating, through research and workshop activities
a range of creative practices across a range of media and contexts. This should develop
your understanding of the opportunities, effects and limitations of different mediums and
your ability to communicate effectively with them. n addition, through a number of written
exercises and presentations, you will develop core professional skills and your identity as
a critically creative practitioner.


Your coIIected evidence shouId take the form of:

[All evidence will be assessed from your Weebly site, but you should keep backups of your
work. t is recommended that you store work in three separate locations to avoid data
loss.]

As media students, you are encouraged and expected to use a variety of media in your
site. Do not feel that you have to 'write' all the time. Podcasts and vlogs off your mobile
phone, Flip or webcam are a great way of recording your thoughts. That's what the 'or
equivalent' means.

Webpage: 'SP1: Main'

O Title
O Finished films.
O ntroduction to each film (at least 200 words each or equivalent).
O Evaluation of each film (at least 250 words each or equivalent).
O Evaluation of the project as a whole (at least 500 words or equivalent).
O Credits

BIog: 'SP1: BIog'

O Your production blog will chart your progress on a frequent basis (two or three
entries per week at least).
O t can include videos (rushes, rough-cuts, interviews, yourself talking about the
project), photographs, graphics, storyboards, production documents, audio and text.
O t needs to include your research into documentary production contexts and
practices and the research and findings made during your investigation of a
selected topic in Assignment 2. Links to research, extracts from your reading with
notes, interviews with producers, your own thoughts.
O You should use the blog to answer the questions:
4 What did /we do?
4 How did /we do it?
4 Why did /we do it like that?
4 How did it turn out?
4 Why did it turn out like that?
4 What have /we learned?
4 So what?

Presentation: EvaIuation of production processes and outcomes.

n addition to screening your film at the allocated time, you will carry out a short (10
minutes plus time for Q&A) individual presentation, backed up by your production blog or
other presentation materials. This will provide an opportunity for you to explain the work
you have done, discuss some of the issues surrounding your decisions and evaluate your
project as a whole.


Assessment:


Description of each eIement EIement weighting

A. Body of work. 100%

At each assessment point you wiII be expected to hand in these aIong with any
finished pieced required for inspection by the assessing staff.

Remember to ensure that your work is originaI and does not breach the University
reguIations regarding pIagiarism.




Learning Outcomes:

n completion of the module you will have demonstrated:

Knowledge/understanding

i) The underlying concepts and principles associated with the chosen discipline
ii) dentification of key issues/theories specific to chosen discipline;
iii) Understanding of historical and contemporary practices in chosen discipline;

Intellectual skills

iv) bservation and contextualization of subject specialism;
v) Development of critical and evaluative skills;
vi) The research and evaluation of the use of visual language by other designers and artists;

Practical skills

vii) Ability to use appropriate materials, techniques and equipment in the production of a body of
work;
viii) Evaluation of the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to
specialist areas of study;
ix) dentification of a subject that has the potential for sustained personal investigation;
x) Ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, to develop lines of
argument in support of practical work;

%ransferable skills

i) #esearch and visualization skills to develop the communication of ideas;
xii) Personal organization and time management ;
xiii) Writing, documentation, communication.



Contact time for this moduIe is on Tuesdays from 1130-1230 and 1330-1630

n these sessions we will run lectures, seminar discussions, production group discussions
and workshops based around your technical and academic needs.

The majority of your production work must be carried out in non-contact time.


Scheme of work

Week AvaiIabIe
Contact
time
(hrs)
Content (Subject to change)
1 4 ntroduction to module. Documentary addressing assumptions.
2 4 Documentary practice. From research to story.
3 4 Documentary forms. Structure, style and audience.
4 4 Screening of Assignment 1 outcome. Peer reviews. Preparation
and topic choice for Assignment 2.
5 Study week nitial research into chosen topic.
6 4 Assignment 2 initial team-meeting and review of research carried
out in #eading Week.
4 Seminar discussion. Production and group tutorials.
8 4 Seminar discussion. Production and group tutorials.
9 4 Seminar discussion. Production and group tutorials.
10 4 nterim (rough-cut) screenings and discussion
11 4 Seminar discussion. Production and group tutorials.
12 4 Final screenings and presentations
Christmas Vacation
13 4 Preparation for assessment
14 Assessment Delivery by Monday 9
th
Jan 2011, 21.00
15 Assessment


Assessment feedback:

You wiII receive written feedback within FOUR WEEKS of the submission deadIine.
If you have agreed with your tutor, this feedback wiII be emaiIed to the address you
have suppIied. AIternativeIy, if you have suppIied an emaiI address but wouId
prefer your feedback NOT to be emaiIed, you wiII be notified that your feedback is
avaiIabIe in printed form from the Administrators' Office at UCY. If you have not
suppIied your tutor with an emaiI address, pIease check the course website for
information on picking up your feedback from the UCY Administrators' Office.

The percentage mark/grade on your feedback is not finaI untiI the University Award
Board has been conducted. Your finaI marks / grades wiII be avaiIabIe to you
through myUWE.
Reading Strategy

You will be expected to read around and research the issues in the field you are practising in.
Below is a list of key texts which will be of assistance to you, most of which are available in the
LEA# #ESU#CE CET#E. n addition, there is a great deal of research and articles
online.

You should also get used to using UWE's online library, which will give you access to many books
and articles of use to your studies.

Reading Iist and Iinks

Austin, T & Jong, W d 2008, #09inking docum0n9,7, pen Univ Pr

Berger, #. 2011. iki0,ks ,nd 90 Bound,7i0s of M0di, Educ,9ion. Bournemouth: CEMP.
[Available from: http://www.cemp.ac.uk/summit/papers/Berger.pdf] Accessed 13/09/2011

Bordwell, D & Thompson, K 2009, Fim A79 An In97oduc9ion, Mcraw-Hill Humanities/Social
Sciences/Languages

Bruzzi, S 2000, N0 docum0n9,7, Psychology Press

Herman, E S & Chomsky, 2002, M,nuf,c9u7ing Cons0n9 T0 Poi9ic, Econom of 90 M,ss
M0di,, Pantheon

Herring, Susan C. 2008. "u0s9ioning 90 G0n07,9ion, Divid0 T0cnoogic, Eo9icism ,nd Adu9
Cons97uc9ions of Onin0 You9 Id0n9i9 n.Youth, dentity, and Digital Media. Edited by David
Buckingham. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Media
and Learning. Cambridge, MA: The MT Press. 7192. [Available from:
http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/chapters/0262294273chap4.pdf] Accessed 13/09/2011.

Jenkins, H. 2008. Conv07g0nc0 Cu9u70. Massachusets: MT Press.

McLuhan, M 2005, Und07s9,nding M0di, (#ou90dg0 C,ssics), #outledge

egroponte, 1996, B0ing Digi9,, Vintage

ichols, B 1991, #0570s0n9ing 70,i9, ndiana Univ Pr

Wordherders, 2010. T0 Cu97 E507im0n9 [nline]. Available from :
http://www.chutry.wordherders.net/wp/ [Accessed : 3, September, 2010].

Various. (2010-11) N0s In907n,9ion, 5on0 ,cking sc,nd,. nline: Wikipedia. [Available from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ews_nternational_phone_hacking_scandal] Accessed 13/09/2011

Undergraduate achievement threshoId statement

SpeciaIist Pathway 1
ssessment Criteria:
Students will be assessed according to their
fulfillment of the learning outcomes in
respect of the following criteria:
%resold standard
(UC Level)
i) understanding of key
issues, theories and
historical and contemporary
practices appropriate to the
subject specialism.

There is evidence in your body of work that you have
examined and recorded material and ideas from
different sources. There is evidence that you have
used your research skills to help you develop ideas in
relation to the projects. You have explored different
ways of recording ideas: e.g. drawing, video, audio,
photography, note-taking etc. Your research and the
different ways in which you develop ideas can be
seen in your production blog, evaluative statements,
research, and in your body of work.
ii) observation and
contextualisation of the
subject specialism and
some development of
critical and evaluative skills.

During this module you have consulted the reading
list, attended lectures, looked at appropriate
publications, spent time in the library, visited relevant
exhibitions and have take the trouble to learn more
about Media Practice. Your efforts to gain further
subject knowledge and understanding are evident in
your blog, research, etc. You know more about your
chosen subject than you did at the beginning of the
module.
iii) identification of subject for
personal investigation

You have used the projects and workshops as a
means of gaining new skills and techniques. You have
used the projects and workshops to explore and
experiment with the new ideas and skills that are
being introduced. Your research has given you new
ideas that you have been able to develop through a
process of experimentation.
iv) Appropriate use of materials,
techniques and equipment
You have accessed resources and equipment and
have used materials safely and in the service of your
studio and workshop activities.
v) #esearch and Evaluation Critical reflection and peer group interaction have
enabled you to think about how to develop and
progress your work. You have engaged with the
course and have been able to progress your work
independently. You are able to listen to, evaluate and
act on the advice of tutors and fellow students.
vi) Visualisation and
documentation
you have submitted work for assessment in a
considered and appropriate way.

LeveIs of Achievement

80% and
above -
the student has produced a substantial body of work demonstrating an
exceptional level of critical and creative independence in the research, analysis,
recording and presentation of contextual material. The student has made an
outstanding contribution to the knowledge and understanding of their peers
through their active participation in seminars. The work exceptionally exceeds the
threshold profile in respect of all criteria.
70% - 79%
-
the student has produced a substantial body of work demonstrating a very high
level of innovation, critical and creative independence in the research, analysis,
recording and presentation of contextual material. The student has made a
considerable contribution to the knowledge and understanding of their peers
through their active participation in seminars. The work exceeds the threshold
profile in respect of all criteria.
60% - 69%
-
the student has produced a body of work demonstrating innovation, critical and
creative independence in the research, analysis, recording and presentation of
contextual material. The student has made a considerable contribution to the
knowledge and understanding of their peers through their active participation in
seminars. The work meets the threshold profile in respect of all criteria.
50% - 59%
-
the student has produced a body of work demonstrating critical independence
and creativity in the research, analysis, recording and presentation of contextual
material. The student has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and
understanding of their peers through their participation in seminars. The work
meets the threshold profile in respect of all criteria;
40% - 49%
-
the student has produced a body of work demonstrating engagement with the
programme of study. The student is competent in the researching, recording and
organization of contextual material. The student has participated in seminar
groups and contributed to the knowledge and understanding of the peer group.
The work substantially meets the threshold profile in respect of all criteria.
30% - 39% the body of work is incomplete and demonstrates a lack of engagement with
aspects of the programme of study. As a result the student lacks confidence in
the researching, recording and organization of contextual material. Contribution
to seminar groups has been erratic. The work substantially fails to meet the
threshold profile in respect of all criteria.
20% - 29%
-
the body of work is substantially incomplete and demonstrates very poor
engagement with the programme of study. The student has not acquired the core
skills introduced in the module and has made an inadequate contribution to
seminar groups. The work fails to meet the threshold profile in respect of all
criteria.
0% - 19%
-
very little evidence of engagement with the module. o evidence of progression.
The work fails to meet the threshold profile in respect of all criteria.
* fo7 90 5u75os0 of ,ss0ssm0n9 90 0v0 of ,ci0v0m0n9 is m0,su70d ,g,ins9 90 ov07,7cing
57ofi0 giv0n 97oug 90 si 970sod s9,90m0n9s.