Documentary Since Television
FILM 386
Spring 2026
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01
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This course continues our introduction to documentary film by tracing the story back to the advent of television and moving forward to the present. Students will consider the ways and means that documentaries moved from the margins to the mainstream, and learn about the filmmakers, films, and institutions that contributed to this phenomenon as well as those who critique the commercialism of this filmmaking traditionally associated with social change. Issues of accountability, representation, access, and ethics loom larger in the documentary ecosystem in this second chapter of the nonfiction filmmaking story, particularly with the 21st century's massive technological changes including the rise of streaming services, social media, and AI. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA FILM |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: FILM385 AND FILM304 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Film Studies Minor)(Film Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
How Documentary Went Mainstream: A History, 1960-2022 by Nora Stone
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Examinations and Assignments:
Readings and screening
Three 6-8 page papers |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Priority is given to students who have taken FILM385, FILM384, FILM430 or FILM435 in prior semesters. |
| Instructor(s): Strain,Tracy Times: .M.W... 08:50AM-12:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 16 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 16 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 8 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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