Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - Documentary Studies

Program Overview

Explore the theory and practice of documentary expression with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Documentary Studies from the University at Albany. This interdisciplinary degree draws on courses in journalism, anthropology, art, art history, communication, documentary studies/history, and music, offering a broad perspective on today’s information landscape.

Program of Study

• Introductory courses: Explore the history and theory of documentary expression across multiple platforms, including print, audio, still and motion picture photography, and the web.
• Electives: Choose from a variety of areas, including nonfiction writing, documentary photography, audio and video production, and web design.
• Core Courses:
  • Introduction to Documentary Studies
  • Documentary Studies Seminar and Fieldwork Practicum (senior capstone)
• Skills Courses: Choose 4 from:
  • Intermediate Photography and Digital Imaging
  • Intermediate Digital Imaging
  • Advanced Photography and Digital Imaging
  • Advanced Digital Imaging
  • Advanced Film Production
  • Communication on the Internet
  • Narrative Journalism
  • Foundations of Documentary Filmmaking
  • Introduction to Documentary Photography
  • Foundations of Documentary Web/Hypermedia Production
  • Photojournalism
  • Workshop in Oral History
  • Readings and Practicum in Aural History and Audio Documentary Production
  • Practicum in Historical Documentary Filmmaking
  • Readings and Practicum in Digital History and Hypermedia
  • Readings and Practicum in Nonfiction Media Storytelling
  • Transmedia Storytelling
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Digital Media Workshop I: Web Publishing
  • Digital Media Workshop II: Desk-Top Publishing
  • Digital Publication
  • Music Composition in Electronic Media I
  • Sound Design and Multimedia

Applied Learning

Participate in on-campus and off-campus internships to gain valuable experience working alongside faculty and other professional practitioners. Some specific possibilities include:

• Recording podcasts or web videos
• Working at a local radio station or broadcast TV channel
• Editing a documentary piece
• Creating a virtual museum

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

Combine your Documentary Studies degree with the MS in Information Science program, an ALA-accredited master's program covering a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management, and data analysis.

Career Paths

The bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in documentary studies prepares you for various career options, including:

• Associate Producer
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Communications Director
• Publicist
• Graphic Designer
• Program Coordinator
• Reporter
• Secondary School Teacher

What Makes The University at Albany Great

• Living-Learning Communities: Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions, or intended academic major.
• Study Abroad: Become a global citizen with international experience crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.
• Undergraduate Research: Engage in research, scholarship, and creative activities across all academic disciplines, building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume with a minor, consisting of 18–24 graduation credits, including a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Choose from a wide range of minors, including Acting, Africana Studies, Anthropology, Art, and more.