Module manager: Dr David Lee
Email: d.j.lee@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| COMM3840 | Themes in Contemporary Photography |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module explores how the documentary has represented reality across film, television and digital platforms, from the 1920s to the present. Students will examine landmark texts, key movements, and critical debates about truth, ethics and representation. By analysing diverse examples ranging from historical works such as Grierson's 1930s films to contemporary products like true crime and interactive webdocs, students will develop an informed and critical understanding of documentary as a cultural form. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module aims to:
Introduce students to the historical development and theoretical debates surrounding documentary and reality programming.
Enable students to critically analyse a range of documentary texts in relation to industrial, technological and social change.
Support students in developing transferable skills of research, critical thinking, independent learning, written and oral communication.
Encourage reflection on ethical and political questions raised by documentary’s claim to represent the “real.”
The module aims to introduce students to the historical development and key theoretical debates surrounding documentary and reality programming through a structured programme of lectures, guided screenings and critical readings. It enables students to critically analyse a range of documentary texts by engaging with seminar-based discussion, group activities and close textual analysis that situate documentary forms within their industrial, technological and social contexts.
The module also supports students in developing transferable skills in research, critical thinking, independent learning, and written and oral communication through formative activities such as seminar presentations, essay planning tutorials and structured discussion tasks. Finally, the module encourages sustained reflection on the ethical and political questions raised by documentary’s claim to represent the “real,” with these issues explored through case studies, debates in seminars and focused analysis within assessed coursework.
Skills of visual and verbal analysis, use of historical documents in the formation of an exposition and judgement, critical debate involving questions of value and the presentation of clear and cogent written and spoken argument will all be developed. Key skills developed in this module include:
- Independent learning
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Writing skills
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 179 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students are required to complete background reading for each seminar (est. 10 hours per seminar). The remaining private study time should be dedicated to researching, preparing and writing the set essays.
Students receive formative feedback throughout the module through a range of embedded learning activities. These typically include:
• Unassessed group presentations in seminars, which provide opportunities for oral feedback on research, communication and analytical skills from both peers and tutors.
• Essay planning tutorials around the mid-point of the module, enabling students to receive guidance on essay structure, argument and use of sources in advance of submission.
• Weekly seminar discussions, which provide opportunities for students to test ideas and receive informal feedback on their engagement with readings and screenings.
• Structured Minerva activities (e.g. short written responses to set readings), which support students’ critical engagement with scholarship and inform seminar discussion and feedback.
Collectively, these activities are designed to ensure that students have regular opportunities to develop and refine their understanding, argumentation and academic writing in advance of summative assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | essay | 50 |
| Essay | essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
To resit this module please select an alternative essay title from the module handbook
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team