UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI ROMA TOR VERGATA
| Teacher: Prof. Arnaldo Donnini |
| E-mail: arnaldo.donnini@libero.it |
| CFU: 6 Course code: 804002273 Degree: Master’s Degree “Scienze della Storia e del documento” Course delivery modalities: In-presence |
Language: Italian Pre-requisites: Basic knowledge of history Attendance: Optional Assessment method: Oral examination |
| Period: 2nd term |
| Starting day: |
| Class hours |
| Program: |
| The course aims to analyze the specificity of documentary languages and to examine the main issues about the use of the repertoire, the peculiarity of writing and direct history documentaries and their marketing strategy. The historical development of the documentary will be retraced, from the pioneer era to the latest digital developments. The tools for repertoire searches within the audiovisual archives will also be provided; the peculiarities of the documentary language will be explored and basic elements will be offered for the use of film sources in the teaching of history.The course will conclude with a practical exercise in writing a short script. During the course, some sessions will be dedicated to the use of images, photographs and music within a documentary. Diagrams and powerpoint slides will be distributed, with insights and discussions from the book Bill Nichols, Introduzione al documentario, Milano Il Castoro, 2014 . Students who are unable or unwilling to attend the seminar sessions will have to study the text independently and discuss it during the exam. |
| Text books: |
|
| Bibliography: |
|
| Educational goals and expected learning outcomes: |
| A) Learning Outcomes: Identify the fundamental elements of the audiovisual language and acquire the necessary skills to write and direct history documentaries. B) Knowledge and Understanding: The module aims to illustrate the appropriate tools to be able to write and shoot a documentary, with specific attention to the realization of interviews, researches in film archives and audiovisual archives and script writing.. C) Applying Knowledge and Understanding: A direct analysis of different document formats will be proposed in order to concretely verify the illustrated theoretical features and to fully grasp their development in audiovisual form. D) Making Judgements: The module aims to provide the ability to understand and interpret the complexity of the audiovisual language. Students will also acquire an understanding of the different phases of making a documentary from conception to distribution. E) Communication Skills: The module will enable students to develop a technical language suitable for historical narration through audiovisual media, and a basic knowledge in the use of images (repertoire and reconstructions) and music. F) Learning Skills: Gli studenti potranno illustrare i diversi format documentaristici, a partire dalla loro efficacia in ordine alla divulgazione storica, evidenziando l’importanza dei testi delle immagini e della musica. Saranno inoltre in grado di individuare le diverse fasi produttive del documentario. |
| Methods and criteria for verifying the learning: |
| The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills). The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking. The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria: – Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language. – 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language. – 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical. – 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical. – 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language. – 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language. |
| Teaching methods: |
| Lectures, using slides and films. Attending students will be provided with lessons in Powerpoint slides, with images and mnemonic schemes. Historical films and documentaries will also be shown and viewed. General and introductory readings will be indicated and repertoire searches will be carried out on online archives. |
| Attendance modalities: |
|
The course is divided into 15 lessons of 2 hours, for a total of 30 hours.
|
| Previous year | Following year |