Teaching Film and TV Documentary: Teaching Film and Media Studies

SARAH CASEY BENYAHIA is a lecturer in Film and Media Studies with experience of teaching on a range of Further and Higher education courses at A level, BTEC and degree level. She is currently a Senior examiner for one of the English awarding bodies.

The recent resurgence of interest in documentary is evident in its appearance at the multiplex, television's reliance on documentary formats and its appeal to the commercially important youth audience. The work of the 'New Documentarists' deals with often controversial contemporary issues, from politics to how we eat. These developments mean that documentary in film and television is a particularly fascinating - and relevant - area of study. This Teaching Guide illustrates the different approaches to teaching documentary with specific reference to post-16 education.

Contents include:
Introduction: Assessment contexts; Approaches to teaching; Schemes of work
Background: Historical perspectives; Defining the documentary; Theoretical contexts and critical approaches
Case studies:Night Mail,Être et Avoir,Super Size Me,Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer,Kurt and Courtney,Big Brother.