Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Master seminar on contemporary documentary cinema is structured in two distinct but interdependent parts. The first part of the course (4 sessions) introduces students to a set of texts from the Critical Theory (Frankfurt School) and its heirs in the field of media theory, which question and problematize the situation, issues and critical potentialities of cultural productions in a given society. At the end of this first part, students will master a series of theoretical tools enabling them to question and evaluate the critical and political significance and effects of a contemporary documentary film. The second part of the course (6 sessions) is made up of a series of screenings introduced by the instructor and followed by a long collective discussion aimed at analyzing and problematizing the screened films. While the foundations of the course " are thus theoretical and philosphical, its purpose is resolutely practical, since the second part of the course aims to train students in the problematization of contemporary documentary productions, as they may do it in the context of professional activities relating to the selection (festivals, programming, etc.), evaluation (commissions, juries, production, etc.) or mediation (festivals, screening series, etc.) of contemporary documentary works. In 2025-2026, the corpus of films analyzed and discussed a will be made up exclusively of contemporary Belgian documentaries by women directors on a range of migration-related themes. In particular, the works of the following directors will be analyzed: Chantal Akerman, Isabelle Ingold and Vivianne Perelmuter, Hara Kaminara, Mary Jimenez and Bénédicte Liénard.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this seminar, students will be able to develop a precise, in-depth and personal analysis of a documentary object by crossing it with theoretical texts issued in other fields than film studies (philosophy, sociology, media studies). In addition, this expertise will be valued though the acquisition of profesional skills in the field of selection, evaluation and mediation of contemporary documentary works with an obvious political focus.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students must have followed earlier courses in the field of history and/or theory of documentary cinema.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Readings, screenings, seminar discussions, and oral presentations.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
face-to-face
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
A reader will be available via MyULiège (required readings).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Further information:
Students are required to deliver a 45-minute oral presentation, including film excerpts (with a maximum of 15 minutes of excerpts). The presentation shall consist of an analytical commentary on a documentary film of their choice, subject to the instructor's approval. This individual assignment is expected to engage with the texts and concepts examined in the first part of the course and to develop a rigorous problematization of the scope and political stakes of the selected film.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Students are strongly encouraged to attend all class sessions.
Contacts
Prof: Jeremy Hamers / jhamers@uliege.be
Ass.: Livia Tinca / ltinca@uliege.be