Documentary Studies Specialization
This specialization is run jointly by the College of Arts and Letters and by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and is administered by the Department of Telecommunications, Information Studies and Media. The Specialization in Documentary Studies introduces undergraduates to the history, theory, and production of documentary forms and modes of expression. By integrating production and analysis, students conclude this specialization with a capstone project that is theoretically informed, technically sophisticated, and ethically attuned to the challenges of documentary practice. Because only twenty students are admitted to the program each year, the specialization is highly competitive and by application only.
Requirements
The student must complete 15 to 18 credits from the following:
1. The following course:
- TC 233 Documentary Technologies and Problems of Reality-Based Arts (3 credits)
2. One of the following courses:
- ENG 230: Introduction to Film (4 credits)
- ENG 330: Classical Film and Media Theory (3 credits)
- ENG 331: Contemporary Film and Media Theory (3 credits)
- ENG 332: Historical Approaches to Film (3 credits)
- ENG 333: Studies in Film Genres (when taught as documentary) (3 credits)
- JRN 345: Images and Messages (3 credits)
- JRN 408: Topics in Specialized Reporting and Writing (3 credits) Note that Journalism 408 must contain content specific to documentary studies to meet this requirement. Students should contact the advisor for the specialization.
3. Complete 6 to 8 credits from one of the following areas:
- TC 343: Basic Audio Production (4 credits)
- TC 443: Audio Industry Design and Management (W) (4 credits)
AUDIO
BROADCAST NEWS
- JRN 306: Broadcast News (W) (4 credits)
- JRN 403: Broadcast News II (3 Credits)
DIGITAL VIDEO. One of the following courses, either( 1a/b) or(2):
- (1a) TC 340: Introduction to Video and Audio (3 credits)
- (1b) TC 341: Film Style Production (4 credits)
- (2) TC 391: Special Topics ( 6 credits):Telecommunication 391 must contain content specific to documentary studies to meet this requirement. Students should contact the advisor for the specialization.
MAGAZINE WRITING
- JRN 332: Magazine Article Writing (3 credits)
- JRN 432: Advanced Magazine Writing (3 credits)
PHOTOGRAPHY. One of the following, either (1a/b) or (2):
- (1a) JRN 310: Photojournalism I (3 credits)
- (1b)JRN 410: Photojournalism II (3 credits)
- (2) JRN 483: Photo Communication in Europe (6 credits)
WEB. Two of the following courses:
- TC 346: Web-Based Interactive Media (4 credits)
- TC 349: Client-Side Web Development (4 credits)
- WRA 210: Introduction to Web Authoring (3 credits)
WRITING
- ENG 223: Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction Writing (3 credits)
- ENG 423: Advanced Creative Non-Fiction Writing (3 credits)
4. The Following Capstone course (3 credits)
- TC 411: Collaborative Documentary Design and Production (3 credits)
Upon completion of the requirements for the Specialization in Documentary Studies, the student should contact the Chairperson of the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media to request certification for the completion of the specialization. After the certification is approved by the Chairperson of the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media and the Dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Registrar will enter on the student’s academic record the name of the specialization and the date that it was completed. This certification will appear on the student’s transcript.
Application
Please find a PFD of the application by clicking HERE. Applications for Fall 2010 are due Monday, February 15th, 2010. Please read the PDF for further instructions.
For more information please contact:
Robert Albers, Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media: albers@msu.edu
Stephen Rachmant, Department of English: rachman@msu.edu
*Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read PDF documents.
