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WD201 Web Documentary
60 ECTS in Media production topics // Study participation requires good knowledge of the English language // Upon fulfilment of prerequisites, admission may be granted in consideration of equal distribution of places between study program Journalism, Media, ICT and Design, Public Relations, Communication and Media from VUC.
The Web Documentary course provides a practical and theoretical introduction to 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 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.
In accordance with the National Qualifications Framework the student will have following learning outcome after completing the course:
- Understand 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 knowledge of technical and aesthetic opportunities of the use of digital media for documentary production
- Understand the global web documentary, cross-media and transmedia production environment, including existing funding, production and distribution models in Norway and abroad.
- Is able to develop a script and project proposal for a non-linear fact-based storytelling project
- Is able to use efficient production processes for interdisciplinary media production teams
- Use data visualisation and creative coding techniques and tools
- 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 web documentary 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 multi-platform media product provides
The course relies on problem-based and active forms for learning, individually and in teams. At the beginning of the course, Journalism, PR and Communication and Animation students, as well as international students not coming from journalism disciplines, will receive an introductory course in web design. Design students and other students with a journalism or related discipline background will receive an introduction to journalism and documentary.
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.
1. Project proposal and project prototype (including story outline, pitch and production, distribution and marketing plan)
2. Academic essay (about 2,000 words)
Both requirements are evaluated as pass/fail and are compulsory for exam enrolment.
The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College's routines for quality assurance.
| Vurderingsform | Gruppering | Varighet | Karakterskala | Andel | Kommentar | Hjelpemidler | Omfang |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portfolio | 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. | All | Individual exegesis of 1,000 words in length. |