ENGL-242: Documentary Film

Course, prefix, number, & title: ENGL-242 Documentary Film

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 2 lecture hours, 2 screening lab hours ; offered as needed

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites (if any): ENGL-102

Course Description in college catalog:

A study of nonfiction film, this course will focus on the power of documentary to record and reveal – but also to distort – aspects of the real world. Classic documentary film, propaganda films, autobiographical films, nonfiction television series, and internet videos are just some of the possible texts that this course will screen and analyze. Students will be guided throughout the semester on writing and research strategies and techniques specific to audiovisual media.

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate understanding of forms and conventions of a given genre in the context of an historical period or theme.

2. Analyze texts through an historical, rhetorical, and/or theoretical framework. 

3. Generate a logical argument or article based on evidence from primary and secondary sources: clear thesis statement or statement of purpose, appropriate sources, transitional language, and progressive development of ideas or generate a sustained creative work or collection of works. 

4. Apply and synthesize appropriate knowledge to produce clear and effective writing. 

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

Students participate in-class writing exercises, group writing, workshop critique, writer’s notebooks, technique-specific practices, reading and group discussion, quizzes, and exams.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window.

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.