Application deadline

Type of course

The course may be taken as an elective by students enrolled in the MA-programme in Media- and Documentation Studies and students enrolled in the MA-programme in Peace and Conflict, UiT. Attendance is limited to 20 students.

The course can not be taken as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Due to work space limitations, participation will be limited to 20 students.

In case of more than 20 participants, students will be ranked on the basis of the following criteria:  

Participants are ranked according to the number of credits passed, which may be part of a degree or vocational education. In case of equal points, participants are ranked by draw.

The course is taught in English.

Course content

The course provides students with knowledge and practical skills required to use film for research-related purposes. Practical training will be given in camera use, editing, mis-en-scene, dramaturgy, sound/music, light, and similar aspects.

In addition, the course offers critical perspectives on the use of film as a tool for data collection, dissemination, and analysis. Here, in particular ethical aspects of audio-visual documentation and the juridical frames for dissemination of such material online will be salient.

Objectives of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has knowledge on:

• Technical aspects of the film production process (types of cameras, film formats, sound, editing software)
• Film dramaturgy
• Pre- and post-production in relation to film
• Film as a method for data acquisition, analysis, and dissemination
• Ethical and juridical frames for the acquisition, analysis, and dissemination of audio-visual material and data sets
• Specific possibilities and challenges relating to online distribution of audio-visual material

Skills

The student is able to:

• Independently and reflectively use film as a tool for data collection and analysis
• Independently plan, execute, present, and disseminate a film-based project
• Effectively use camera, sound equipment, and editing software to independently create short films
• Apply knowledge of dramaturgy to create film narratives
• Explain and reflect about ethical and juridical aspects of the acquisition, analysis, and dissemination of research data in film form

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Teaching takes place in form of technical demonstrations, seminars, lectures, and workshops. During periods of film production some intensive time use will be required.

A lectures series will introduce general themes and concepts regarding audio-visual representation, data, research, ethics, and juridical issues. Seminars will convey necessary practical skills while workshops will be used to plan, produce, edit, and disseminate student films.

After the exam there will be a public screening of the films made during the course.

Assessment

The following course work requirements must be completed and approved in order to take the final exam:

• 80% presence at practical seminars
• an oral presentation of the film project in class (approx. 10 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion; includes 1 page written project overview)

The exam will consist of:

• a co-produced film on a subject of choice (4-6 minutes; 2-3 students should work together)
• a short written reflection on the production process connecting the film to issues of research ethics and methods (5-6 pages; should refer key literature; written individually).

Students receive a collective grade on the co-produced film, while the written paper is graded individually. The film counts 60% of the final grade, while the written assignment counts 40%.

Exams can be written in English or Norwegian.

The exams will be assessed on an A-F grade scale. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed.

Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course. If a student fails one of the exams, only the failed part must be taken again.

Retake is offered in in the beginning of the following semester in cases of grade F or Fail. Deferred examination is offered in the beginning of the following semester if the student is unable to take the final exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances. Registration deadline for retake is August 15 for spring semester exams.

Recommended reading/syllabus

Books to be bought:

Chatman, Seymor. 1978. Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

Milerson, Gerald and Owens, Jim. 2008. Elservier Inc.:

Video production handbook