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MDS-20076 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

MDS-20076 - Documentary Film
Coordinator: Pawas Bisht Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 33242
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Building on the practical skills and critical filmmaking knowledge acquired in first year, this module introduces you to the exciting specialist field of documentary filmmaking. Drawing on a range of film examples, theories and practical methods, you will explore the varied creative ways in which real-life experiences can be transformed into powerful and engaging stories on the screen. Guided by expert tutors, working in small teams, you will take charge of your own documentary film project and acquire the skills to conceptualise and produce a short documentary film from start to finish.


Aims
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the history and evolution of documentary and the key critical debates, movements, styles that define various forms and practices of documentary and to be able to critically analyse documentary texts. The module will give students a critical understanding of the processes of production and the way in which documentary is constructed and given meaning, and will allow students to analyse its various relationships to its audience and its broader social, cultural economic, political and technological contexts. Students will develop their ability to use theory to inform creative practice, and to be able to produce with a critical sensibility.

Intended Learning Outcomes

examine the history and evolution of forms and practices of documentary in relation to their social, cultural, economic, political and technological contexts: 2
reflect critically upon the uses of various production techniques in documentary filmmaking including in their own practice: 2
employ models of aesthetic analysis in order to consider, discuss, and evaluate documentary texts and their significance: 2
utilise and analyse critical and conceptual approaches and apply these to the process of production: 1
learn new production skills and apply these in the production of a documentary film project from start to finish: 1
argue comparatively across a range of documentary film texts: 2

Study hours

12 x 2 hour workshop sessions (flexibly combining lectures, screenings, discussion, tasks and technical instruction)
12x 2 hours of practical training and film viewing (to be arranged in a flexible manner over the course of the module)
252 independent study hours divide as follows: 48 hours set-reading for theory, 100 hours group project work on the documentary film, 54 hours individual assessment drafting and revising a 2500-word reflection, and 50 hours research supporting both practice and writing.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 50%
Making a short documentary film (group project)
Making a short documentary film (group project): Students will work as part of group (2-3 students) to pre-produce, produce and post-produce a short documentary (10 minutes in duration). The film will need to respond to a theme set out by the module tutor. Each student will additionally submit a 300 word record of their specific contribution to the production process. This alongside the tutors' observation of the production process will ensure evidence based awarding of individual marks for the group-based project.

2: Report weighted 50%
2500-word reflective report
Each student will produce a 2,500 word (excluding references) reflective report. Students will draw on relevant theory from the field of documentary production to reflect on the choices made in the production of their documentary film. These will relate to key concerns in the field of documentary production such as representation, aesthetics and ethics.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026