VA342 Introduction to Documentary Film
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the art of documentary filmmaking and to develop the professional skills used in the field. The class explores a variety of components of non-fiction filmmaking from the conceptualization of an idea through postproduction. Structured around hands-on assignments, where students practice visual storytelling and interview techniques, the course is supplemented with lectures and discussions about the different documentary traditions, genres and styles. In addition, the class covers basic technical aspects needed for professional documentary filmmaking such as camera operation, composition and framing, location sound, editing techniques, and postproduction workflow
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
The search for Reality - Michael Tobias , From word to Image- Marcie Begleiter, Single Camera Video Production - Robert M. Rusburger, The Art of Watching Film - Petre Boggs
Additional Literature
Teaching Methods
Activity in debates
Presentations - assignments
Project
Portfolio
Participation
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Introduction. Expectations&Overview.What is Documentary?Documentary Genres. - Cinema Vérité : "Grey Gardens" by Albert and David Maysles | The search for Reality - Michael Tobias |
| 2 | Documentary Film Dynamics : Fiction, Non-Fiction Films. | |
| 3 | How to start Documentary Films? Narrative and Non-Narrative Films. "Man with a Movie Camera" Dziga Vertov | |
| 4 | Proposal ,Treatment,Synopsis writing,Composition and Scenario, Visual Documentatiton. | From word to Image- Marcie Begleiter |
| 5 | Editing Concepts: Misé-en-scene, Framing, tips and Techniques in Documentary Films - PROJECT I | Shooting a Film - Mehmet Aslantepe |
| 6 | Editing Techniques, Software and Montage. | Editing Digital Video - Robert M. Goodman |
| 7 | MID-TERM (PROJECT II) | |
| 8 | Camera Operation, Framing, Lightning, Microphone using, Preparing Schedule | Single Camera Video Production. Robert Rusburger |
| 9 | Character casting in Documentary Films(Character Portraits), "Nobody's Business" by Alan Berliner | Design for the real World - Victor Papanek |
| 10 | Social,Political and Propoganda Documentaries. "Sicko" by Michael Moore. | |
| 11 | Truth and Fiction in Documentary. "Thin Blue Line" by Errol Morris | |
| 12 | PRESENTATION FOR FINAL PROJECT (PROJECT III) | |
| 13 | Post-Production for Final Project | Post Production Black & White Steve Macleod |
| 14 | Final review of all projects, Closing remarks | |
| 15 | FINAL - SCREENING for whole semester |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 5
Attendance&Participation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Mid-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 4
PROJECT I
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3
PROJECT III
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 2
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Presentation
24 hours ⏳ (6 week × 4 h)
Project
45 hours ⏳ (9 week × 5 h)
Midterm Project
12 hours ⏳ (2 week × 6 h)
Final Exam Study
24 hours ⏳ (2 week × 12 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [VA342] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| VA342 | Introduction to Documentary Film | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Currently not available |
||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The objective of this course is to introduce students to the art of documentary filmmaking and to develop the professional skills used in the field. The class explores a variety of components of non-fiction filmmaking from the conceptualization of an idea through postproduction. Structured around hands-on assignments, where students practice visual storytelling and interview techniques, the course is supplemented with lectures and discussions about the different documentary traditions, genres and styles. In addition, the class covers basic technical aspects needed for professional documentary filmmaking such as camera operation, composition and framing, location sound, editing techniques, and postproduction workflow | |||||||||
| Textbook | The search for Reality - Michael Tobias , From word to Image- Marcie Begleiter, Single Camera Video Production - Robert M. Rusburger, The Art of Watching Film - Petre Boggs | |||||||||
| Additional Literature | ||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | activity in debates, presentations - assignments, project, portfolio, participation | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | |||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Course Introduction. Expectations&Overview.What is Documentary?Documentary Genres. - Cinema Vérité : "Grey Gardens" by Albert and David Maysles | The search for Reality - Michael Tobias | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Documentary Film Dynamics : Fiction, Non-Fiction Films. | |||||||||
| Week 3 | How to start Documentary Films? Narrative and Non-Narrative Films. "Man with a Movie Camera" Dziga Vertov | |||||||||
| Week 4 | Proposal ,Treatment,Synopsis writing,Composition and Scenario, Visual Documentatiton. | From word to Image- Marcie Begleiter | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Editing Concepts: Misé-en-scene, Framing, tips and Techniques in Documentary Films - PROJECT I | Shooting a Film - Mehmet Aslantepe | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Editing Techniques, Software and Montage. | Editing Digital Video - Robert M. Goodman | ||||||||
| Week 7 | MID-TERM (PROJECT II) | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Camera Operation, Framing, Lightning, Microphone using, Preparing Schedule | Single Camera Video Production. Robert Rusburger | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Character casting in Documentary Films(Character Portraits), "Nobody's Business" by Alan Berliner | Design for the real World - Victor Papanek | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Social,Political and Propoganda Documentaries. "Sicko" by Michael Moore. | |||||||||
| Week 11 | Truth and Fiction in Documentary. "Thin Blue Line" by Errol Morris | |||||||||
| Week 12 | PRESENTATION FOR FINAL PROJECT (PROJECT III) | |||||||||
| Week 13 | Post-Production for Final Project | Post Production Black & White Steve Macleod | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Final review of all projects, Closing remarks | |||||||||
| Week 15 | FINAL - SCREENING for whole semester | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 35 | 5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Attendance&Participation | 1 | 10 | Not Allowed | ||
| Mid-term exam | 1 | 25 | 4 | Not Allowed | |
| PROJECT I | 1 | 15 | 3 | Not Allowed | |
| PROJECT III | 1 | 15 | 2 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Presentation | 4 | 6 | 24 | |||
| Project | 5 | 9 | 45 | Midterm Project | 6 | 2 | 12 | |||
| Final Exam Study | 12 | 2 | 24 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||