FILM 214 The Art of the Documentary

This course explores the history of documentary film by considering major directors, aesthetics, and social contexts. The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with a history of the development of documentary film from its roots in 19th-century art forms to its role in current events, to examine various styles and techniques of documentary and to analyze the contribution of the documentary as a persuasive means of communication to achieve social and political goals.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Develop a general knowledge of the history of documentary film from the Lumière
   Brothers to the present.
2. 2. Identify classic themes in documentary movies.
3. 3. Discuss the themes of realism developed by the Soviets and its legacy in today’s
   documentary tradition.
4. 4. Analyze the close connection between history, culture, and cinema in documentary film.
5. 5. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres created throughout history from WWII
   through the present.
6. 6. Discuss the styles of the most important and influential documentary directors.
7. 7. Compare and contrast documentary works from various decades and place them in their
   cultural setting.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Develop a general knowledge of the history of documentary film from the Lumière
   Brothers to the present.
2. 2. Identify classic themes in documentary movies.
3. 3. Discuss the themes of realism developed by the Soviets and its legacy in today’s
   documentary tradition.
4. 4. Analyze the close connection between history, culture, and cinema in documentary film.
5. 5. Distinguish different cinematic styles and genres created throughout history from WWII
   through the present.
6. 6. Discuss the styles of the most important and influential documentary directors.
7. 7. Compare and contrast documentary works from various decades and place them in their
   cultural setting.