Engl. 342 - Documentary Film Theory and Production
In this course, students will first examine the relationship between film and social issues and then be involved in the actual production of a film. From the newsreel footage of the civil rights movement to films such as Fahrenheit 9/11, film has played a central role in shaping the lives of individuals and society as a whole. Through a series of screenings, readings, and discussions, students will explore the power and the potential of film to address issues of social significance. With an understanding of the relationship between narrative and image, students will create their own set of images to narrate a story. In the laboratory, students are introduced to basic digital production and editing techniques. In the process of creation, students not only learn new skills but also learn to tell a story the best way it’s possible.
The class culminates with a viewing of films produced by the students.
The course is offered every semester. It is a 3 Credit class – 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab. Room: CL 210
Required Text
Kahana, Jonathan, Intelligence Work: The Politics of American Documentary. Columbia University Press, 2008.