Aims
The aims of this module are to introduce students to the critical discourse relating to documentary film analysis and to consider how documentary film developed during the period under consideration as a mode of cultural expression an political propaganda. The module also aims to study the ways in which technological developments during the period influenced the pro-filmic and changed the nature of documentary film.

Learning Outcomes:

Typically, upon completion of this module a student will be able:
- To demonstrate an intelligent awareness of debates about documentary film and documentary film movements between 1920 and 1970.
- To critically evaluate models of documentary theory.
- To critically apply models of documentary theory to the texts under consideration.
- To show an analytical understanding of a range of filmic texts.

Content:

1. Historical overview
2. Documentary theory
3. Documentary Pioneers I: Vertov
4. Documentary Pioneers II: Flaherty
5. The British Movement I: Grierson
6. The British Movement II: Jennings
7. Documentary as Propaganda: Riefenstahl
8. Documentary as Observer I: Free Cinema
9. Documentary as Observer II: Direct Cinema and Cinema Verite
10. Documentary as Observer III: Paul Watson