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76101-01 - Seminar: The Art of the Video Essay: From Research to Script to Screen (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Georgina Marie Taylor (georginamarie.taylor@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | A course for PhD and MA students to learn the art of video-essay creation - with practical tasks to mirror each phase of the production process. Students will learn how to produce engaging and thoughtful content in the age of algorithm-led online discourse, and in doing so, develop a personal style and brand whilst retaining authenticity. Areas of focus will be: - Researching and organising source material - Structuring a narrative to optimise viewer retention - Writing scripts for performance (not just the page) - On-camera presentation and/or narration & b-roll techniques - Equipment used (software, green screen, cameras, lighting, etc) - Editing with a unique style - Editing techniques to visually complement the script & keep viewers engaged - Deciding what & when to outsource - Publishing and platform strategy - the algorithm, earning from ads, sponsors & crowdfunding - Avoiding litigation - Engaging with your audience in a way which maintains integrity, personal wellbeing & safety |
| Learning objectives | Skills for researching, scripting, structuring, presenting, and releasing essays in video format including discussion of content guidelines for different online platforms, protecting yourself from litigation, and optimising presentation of video for the widest reach, and dealing with the algorithm. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 26.09.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Friday 10.10.2025 | 10.15-17.00 | Deutsches Seminar, Seminarraum 3 |
| Saturday 11.10.2025 | 10.15-17.00 | Deutsches Seminar, Seminarraum 3 |
| Friday 24.10.2025 | 10.15-17.00 | Deutsches Seminar, Seminarraum 3 |
| Saturday 25.10.2025 | 10.15-17.00 | Deutsches Seminar, Seminarraum 3 |
| Friday 12.12.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Modules |
German Literature: Recommendations (PhD subject: German Literature) Literary Studies: Recommendations (PhD subject: Literary Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Literaturwissenschaftliche Praxis (Editionsphilologie, Literarisches Übersetzen, Literaturkritik) (Master's degree program: Literary Studies) Modul: Materialitäten (Master's degree program: Cultural Techniques) Modul: Strategien des Digitalen (Master's degree subject: Media Studies) Wahlbereich Master Deutsche Philologie: Empfehlungen (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The final assessment will be a short-form video essay produced by the student. The course is ideal for students who are interested in communicating their research in audiovisual format within the modern media landscape. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaften |