Units / ATS3789
ATS3789 · Documentary
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Journalism
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In this unit you will explore in detail the production practices, resources, technologies and genres of documentary making for both broadcast and online modes. You will learn key performance practices of voice presentation and interviews, image and sound recording, editing and post-production. You will critically considers the implications for journalists of different modes of audience engagement and editorial positioning, including news, current affairs and feature/documentary genres.
Areas of study: Journalism
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Caulfield | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media Task | Artefact | 30% | — |
| 2 | Media Task | Presentation | 20% | — |
| 3 | Media Task | Artefact | 50% | — |
Within semester assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- identify and research a documentary idea, conduct interviews and gather appropriate research and actuality material in the audio-visual media;
- deliver your story in a clear, concise, accurate and engaging way using a variety of audio-visual elements and narrative conventions in a video environment;
- identify and observe key ethical and legal obligations associated with audio-visual storytelling, and reflect critically on your own and others' performance in this regard;
- work independently and collaboratively in learning and production processes, including online forums, to produce your documentary;
- set and meet deadlines;
- recognise and draw upon local, national and international people and events relevant to your documentary topic.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 hours |
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
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