Semesters

MMP310 Web Documentary

Course code: 
MMP310
Duration: 
1 semester
Credits (ECTS): 
15
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching semester: 
2018 Spring
Assessment semester: 
2018 Spring
Language of instruction: 
English
Course content

The Web Documentary course provides practical and theoretical knowledge about fact-based

or fact-claiming narratives on the web. The course provides vocational and hands-on

experience in the production of an interdisciplinary project for the web. It also provides

critical analytical perspectives to understand narrative strategies for web-based media.

Web documentary is an evolving media genre involving elements of film, animation,

journalism, web design and PR strategies. The genre has its roots in the long tradition of film

and TV documentary's "creative treatment" of current and historical affairs, and of personal,

local, regional, and global stories. As in traditional documentary, having a critical and

independent voice, and being deeply engaged with an issue, are essential requirements for the

successful production of a web documentary project. Yet web documentary also provides a

space through which to explore non-linear narratives, and through which documentarists can

expand the outreach of their projects. This involves understanding how to use multiple media

channels and platforms, and understanding the uses of cutting-edge technologies (e.g. virtual

and augmented reality in mobiles, location-based services) to deliver a fact-based history.

The course aims to provide specializations tailored to the student's own needs. For this

purpose, students will work in small interdisciplinary teams where they can use their

individual skills in the development of a practical web documentary project. The practical

project expertise is complemented by the delivery of an individual academic essay. This essay

gives students the opportunity to engage wit current literature to discuss selected examples of

web documentary productions from around the world

Learning outcome

In accordance with the National Qualifications Framework the student will achieve the following learning outcomes after completing the course:

Learning outcome knowledge
  • Have advanced knowledge of design and production issues for web documentary, cross-media and transmedia production
  • Understand narrative issues for non-linear fact-based storytelling
  • Understand ethical and legal issues around the use of publicly available data (e.g. personal or institutional data) for web documentary
  • Demonstrate thorough knowledge of technical and aesthetic opportunities of the use digital media for documentary production
  • Have advanced knowledge of the global web documentary, cross-media and transmedia production environment, including existing funding, production an distribution models in Norway and abroad.
Learning outcome skills
  • Is able to independently develop a script and project proposal for a non-linear factbased storytelling project
  • Is able to use efficient production processes for interdisciplinary media production teams in an independent manner
  • Use data visualisation and creative coding techniques and tools
Learning outcome qualification
  • Is able to work in a team to produce a polished, non-linear, fact-based narrative project (webdoc)
  • Can make provisions to comply with the legal, ethical, and economic context of webdocumentary practice
  • Is able to communicate and exchange ideas for the further theoretical development of the genre
  • Can make use of the novel aesthetic and narrative opportunities that creating a multiplatform media product provides
Working and learning activities

The course relies on problem-based and active forms for learning, individually and in teams.

Working individually or in teams, students will produce an interactive media product for

online distribution. Participation in learning activities online and in presential or virtual team

work and meetings is required, and fullfillment of practical project work is essential.

Teachers will provide guidance, and a schedule for team or supervisory meetings will be

available in the semester plan. An overview of the organisation and delivery of coursework

requirements is provided in the semester plan.

Refer also to Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College,

§7.3 on attendance/participation in teaching.

Assessment requirements

1. Project proposal (including story outline, pitch and production, distribution and marketing

plan)

2. Academic essay (about 4,000 words)

Both requirements are evaluated as pass/fail and are compulsory for exam enrolment.

 

Evaluation system

Grading will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing admission, studies and examinations at Volda University College. (http://lovdata.no/forskrift/2014-12-04-1697/%C2%A75-11)

Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College’s routines for quality assurance. (http://www.hivolda.no/hivolda/om-hogskulen/kvalitetsarbeid)

Minimum number of students: 
5
Maximum number of students: 
30
Person in charge: 
Tormod Utne
Ana Luisa Sanchez Laws
Used in other programs
  • Media Practices - master
Assessment FormGroupingDurationGrading scaleProportionCommentSupport MaterialsScope
Portfolio
Individual
1 Semester
A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade
Final examination consists of a portfolio that includes the team product in the form of a finished proposal or fully functional and live web documentary, and an individual exegesis. Further details on technical requirements are to be provided during the course.

Individual exegesis of 4,000 words in length.