Program Overview

Documentary Film Program (DOC)

The Documentary Film Program (DOC) offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of documentary filmmaking. The program includes a range of courses that provide students with hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge in documentary storytelling, cinematography, sound, editing, and more.

Course Offerings

• DOC 701: Internship I (1.5 h): Internships provide students with experiential learning opportunities at production houses, television networks, public television stations, and other facilities.
• DOC 702: Internship II (1.5 h): Similar to DOC 701, with a focus on further developing skills in a professional setting.
• DOC 703: Internship (3 h): An in-depth internship experience that allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.
• DOC 713: Documentary Storytelling I (3 h): Introduction to the fundamental theory and craft of non-fiction visual storytelling.
• DOC 715: Cinematography and Sound (3 h): Familiarizes students with the basics of documentary shooting, lighting, and sound gathering.
• DOC 717: Fundamentals of Documentary Editing (1.5 h): Covers the basics of documentary editing through lectures, film screenings, and hands-on demonstrations.
• DOC 718: Social Media and Marketing in the Creative Arts (3 h): Explores how social media is changing content creation and audience engagement.
• DOC 722: Documentary Storytelling II (3 h): Teaches students how to research, conceptualize, and develop a non-fiction story idea.
• DOC 724: Advanced Story Editing (3 h): Builds upon the storytelling skills learned in earlier courses, with a focus on aesthetics and post-production techniques.
• DOC 726: Advanced Sports Storytelling (3 h): Introduces students to the theoretical and technical aspects of non-fiction sports storytelling.
• DOC 728: Documentary History (3 h): Examines the historical development of documentary film and its contribution to social and political goals.
• DOC 730: Sports, Culture and Society (3 h): Analyzes how sports reflect and shape societal issues such as race, gender, and human rights.
• DOC 733: The Business of Sports Media (3 h): Provides a high-level understanding of the sports media industry and its evolution in the digital age.
• DOC 734: Advanced Cinematography and Sound (3 h): Offers advanced instruction in cinematography, sound, and lighting techniques.
• DOC 735: Documentary Law and Ethics (3 h): Explores ethical issues in documentary filmmaking through the examination of select films and directors.
• DOC 737: Documentary Storytelling III (3 h): Focuses on advanced principles of writing, producing, directing, and editing documentary films.
• DOC 746: Documentary Storytelling IV (3 h): Combines lectures, screenings, and exercises to build a technical and aesthetic foundation in digital post-production.
• DOC 748: Creative Thesis Project (1-9 h): Students work under faculty supervision on their creative thesis projects.
• DOC 750: The Imagination Project (3 h): Students produce multimedia materials on important social, political, cultural, and economic issues.
• DOC 751: Professional Seminar: Teaching in Higher Education (3 h): Provides an understanding of pedagogical practices and theories for students interested in academic careers.
• DOC 753: Individual Study (1-3 h): Allows students to perform independent study in a cognate area with a professor.
• DOC 755: Professional Seminar: Entrepreneurial Filmmaking (3 h): Equips students with the knowledge and skills to create their own creative arts ventures.
• DOC 764: Individual Study (1-3 h): Similar to DOC 753, with the option to repeat for credit.
• DOC 766: Teaching Practicum (3 h): Students work closely with faculty during the teaching of an undergraduate course.
• DOC 780: Special Topics (1-3 h): Intensive study of selected topics in documentary film, with the option to repeat for credit.