Department of English

We will explore numerous issues confronted by documentary filmmakers by viewing representative films and discussing the issues each poses. Although these issues -- re-enactment, fair treatment of the subjects, politics, and ethics -- have confronted documentarians since the beginning of filmmaking, the themes we will study are particularly timely against a backdrop of recent questioning of just how far members of the media can go and what they can do to get their stories. Students are expected to attend screenings in addition to class times. Readings will include texts on documentary film and theory.