A report (20%):
A report on the research and preparation of your documentary
1000 words, submission semester 1. [Learning Outcomes 1 & 4]

A portfolio (80%):
A portfolio to include:
A radio documentary programme
Production notes for the programme.
A written critical evaluation of the finished programme and the effectiveness of the production processes,
1000 words, submission semester 2. [Learning Outcomes 1 - 5]

Key Information Set Data:
100% coursework

Semester 1 - You will carry out preliminary research into a subject for a documentary and then review what will be needed to develop it to a professional standard of production: research on matters of fact, study of examples on which you could model aspects of style and structure, how to target style and content to the identified audience, scouting locations and potential contributors, sourcing archive material and what permissions you may need to obtain.

Semester 2 - You will take the project you have developed and put it into production, post-production and evaluation. You will have the opportunity, in response to feedback received at the conclusion of semester 1, to negotiate with the supervisor minor modifications to the brief devised.

A series of illustrated lectures will introduce the theory and practice of documentary making. You will negotiate a practicable brief for a specific documentary project and then write an interim report thoroughly reviewing what you need to know in order to translate the brief into production. You will mainly learn through the experience of producing your programme, via tutorials with the project supervisor. Throughout the project you are encouraged to keep a production diary in which you record your planning and thinking. This reflection on the production process informs the project evaluation with which you conclude the module.

Key Information Set Data:
16% scheduled activities
84% independent guided study

Media centre
Marantz recorders
Digital audio recording equipment
Radio studios
Adobe Audition
Archive sources where applicable to the project
Library resources
Blackboard virtual learning environment

Beaman, J. (2011) Interviewing for Radio, London: Routledge
Cemm, A (2002) Researching for Television & Radio, London: Routledge
Fleming, C (2010) The Radio Handbook (3rd ed.), London: Routledge
Hausman, C. et al (2010) Modern Radio Production: production, programming and performance, Boston: Wadsworth
Starkey, G. (2014) Radio in Context, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

A full reading list can be found in the module handbook

1. PLAN, MANAGE AND EVALUATE A SUSTAINED PROJECT INVOLVING RESEARCH, APPROPRIATE TARGETING, PRACTICAL EXPLORATION, TIME MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION OF YOUR EXPLOITATION OF THE CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES OF THE RADIO FEATURE. [Enquiry]

2. DEMONSTRATE ADVANCED COMPETENCY IN THE SKILLS OF HANDLING EQUIPMENT SAFELY, RESPONSIBLY AND TO CREATIVE EFFECT IN THE ACQUISITION OF SOUND AND ITS MANIPULATION IN POST-PRODUCTION. DEMONSTRATE A DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PRACTICES OF THE RADIO INDUSTRY. [Practical and Professional]

3. SOLVE AND LEARN FROM THE PROBLEMS YOU ENCOUNTER IN THE COURSE OF A SUSTAINED PRACTICAL PROJECT, SEEKING ADVICE WHERE APPROPRIATE, BUT WITH A MINIMUM OF ROUTINE SUPERVISION.[Problem Solving]

4. USE THE PRACTICAL TOOLS IN THE MEDIUM OF RADIO TO COMMUNICATE MEANING, SITUATION, ATMOSPHERE AND EMOTION. PITCH YOUR FEATURE PROPOSAL PERSUASIVELY. WRITE CONFIDENTLY AND COHERENTLY ABOUT THE PROCESS AND ITS OUTCOME. [Communication]

5. CRITICALLY REFLECT ON THE PRODUCTION AND POST-PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN A RADIO PROJECT AND ON YOUR OWN ROLE IN THEM. EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF KEY PRACTICAL DECISIONS THAT ARE EVIDENT IN THE FINISHED PROGRAMME.[Reflection]