Students

MMCC8035 – Non-Fiction Screen Media

2024 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alicia Walsh
alicia.walsh@mq.edu.au
Iqbal Barkat
iqbal.barkat@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrInd or MMediaComm
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit surveys the history and aesthetics of non-fiction forms of screen media and, in particular, the proliferation of documentary through digital technologies. Through critical readings and viewings, the unit will investigate non-fiction film's aesthetic and rhetorical strategies in fashioning the real and its corresponding status as a way of knowing the world. It combines critical analysis with practice-led research offering an opportunity for students to develop a non-fiction screen media work.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • ULO2: analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • ULO3: synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • ULO4: implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • ULO5: evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Video Essay 40% No 2024-08-11
Non Fiction Screen Work 60% No 2024-10-29

Video Essay

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: 2024-08-11
Weighting: 40%

 

Each student will research and produce a 5 min video essay on a theme and subject of their choice. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

Non Fiction Screen Work

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 68 hours
Due: 2024-10-29
Weighting: 60%

 

Create a coherent, short non-fiction screen production based on the project proposal of between 5 and 10 minutes in length. Students may complete the production and post-production aspects of this assignment individually or in small groups although each student will be marked individually. Along with the film, you need to submit all production documents and a report critically analysing and evaluating the production and the student’s contribution. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit will be delivered through on campus or online seminars, workshops and consultations. Please refer to the timetable for actual schedule. Any absence from a workshop or seminar must be supported by documentation and discussed with the convenor.

Students will learn the basics of video and sound acquisition and the non-linear editing system AVID Media Composer which will be required for the successful completion of assignments. Students will be provided with camera and sound recording kits. Students are  encouraged to contact the department's technical staff for additional workshops in sound and picture acquisition.  

Students must adhere to health and safety guidelines during workshops and production activities. A safety report is required for all productions. Detailed guidelines will be provided on iLearn.

 Students will be expected to do two types of independent research:

 - academic research into non-fiction screen production forms, styles, histories and theories 

 - creative research in preparation for their own productions.  

Use of the MQ library's extensive collection of documentaries and books is encouraged, as is independent online research into recent non-fiction forms and productions.  Some specific readings and sites will also be assigned.

Unit Schedule

Seminars start in Week 1. Please refer to iLearn for the full schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook