2009 Fall DOCST 101-01
Bulletin Course Description Traditions of documentary work seen through an interdisciplinary perspective, with an emphasis on twentieth-century practice. Introduces students to a range of documentary idioms and voices, including the work of photographers, filmmakers, oral historians, folklorists, musicologists, radio documentarians, and writers. Stresses aesthetic, scholarly, and ethical considerations involved in representing other people and cultures. Instructor: Staff
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title TRADITIONS IN DOC STUDIES Department DOCST Course Number 2009 Fall 101 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Thompson,Charles D Primary Instructor Kalow,Nancy Prerequisites Course Homepage cds.aas.duke.edu/course
Synopsis of course content
TRADITIONS IN DOCUMENTARY STUDIES, Charlie Thompson with Nancy
Kalow, Explores the tradition of documentary work through an
interdisciplinary perspective, with an emphasis on 20th century practice.
Introduces students to a range of documentary idioms and voices,
including the work of photographers, filmmakers, oral historians,
folklorists, musicologists, radio documentarians, and writers. Stresses
aesthetic, scholarly, and ethical considerations involved in representing
other people and cultures. Students will interpret and critique a range of
documentary expression and explore the diversity of methods of
documentary artists.
Textbooks
Agee, James and Walker Evans, "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" and
Orwell, George, "The Road to Wigan Pier (available at Regulator
Bookstore).
Additional excepts available on Blackboard.
Assignments
A series of short essays.
Exams
Midterm and Final exams.
Additional Information
In this course you'll hear from a variety of documentarians who will speak to the class in person. You'll hear from oral historians, filmmakers, photographers, and audio documentarians. They'll talk about their influences, discuss readings that made a difference for them, and present a work of their own and talk about how it came to fruition. This series of presentations will be invaluable to anyone considering incorporating documentary methods as part of their course of study or as a means of presenting material in a variety of fields.
