Undergraduate Minor

The Minor in Documentary Production introduces undergraduates to the history, theory, and production of documentary media. Documentary production focuses on issues of media, representation, and reality. It engages directly with the fundamental understanding of how the world is presented, represented, distorted, structured, and shaped. Interpretation and representation of reality constitutes a central axis of inquiry and debate. By integrating production and analysis, students in this minor produce theoretically informed work and develop a cutting-edge understanding of the challenges inherent in representing reality.

The Minor in Documentary Production is administered by the School of Journalism within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. Students in the Film Studies program in the Department of English; the School of Journalism; the Department of Media and Information; and the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures may find this minor of particular interest.

Students who are interested in the minor are eligible to apply if they are in good academic standing. Students will apply for the minor in the spring of their sophomore year by submitting an application available through the School of Journalism. Applications will be reviewed prior to annual enrollment.

With the approval of the department that administers the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor for the minor.

Prerequisite:
DS 211 Documentary Film History and Theory  3

Requirements for the Minor in Documentary Production

The student must complete at least 15 credits from the following:

1.		The following course (3 credits):
		DS	311	Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking					3
2.		Complete at least 6 credits from one of the following areas:
		Audio/Video
		DS	341	Filmmaking II: Creating Short Films					3
		DS	344	Sound Design for Storytelling					3
		DS	409	Advanced Lighting and Camera Techniques					3
		DS	440	Advanced Video Editing					3
		MI	337	Compositing and Special Effects					3
		Broadcast News
		JRN	306	Broadcast News I: Intro to Reporting					3
		JRN	403	Broadcast News II: Intermediate Reporting					3
		JRN	406B	Broadcast News Producing					4
		Film Studies
		FLM	260	Introduction to Digital Film and Emergent Media					4
		FLM	334	Introduction to Screenwriting (W)					3
		FLM	460	Seminar in Digital Film and Emergent Media (W)					3
		Multimedia
		CSUS	265	Exploring Environmental and Sustainability Issues and Policy Using Film					3
		JRN	203	Visual Storytelling					3
		WRA	225	Introduction to Composing Digital for Video					3
		Photography
		One of the following, either (1), (2), or (3):
		(1)	JRN	310	Photojournalism				3
			JRN	410	Advanced Photojournalism Documentary				3
		(2)	JRN	483	Photo Communication in Europe				6
		(3)	JRN	488	Visual Storytelling in Kenya				4
			JRN	310	Photojournalism				3
			or
			JRN	410	Advanced Photojournalism Documentary				3
		Producing
		DS	351	Producing for Cinema and Television					3
		JRN	450	Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship					3
		MI	301	Bringing Media to Market					3
		Web
		JRN	336	Designing for Media					3
		JRN	436	Designing for the Web and Mobile Devices					3
		MI	349	Web Design and Development					3
		Writing
		ENG	223	Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction Writing					3
		ENG	423	Advanced Creative Non-Fiction Writing					3
		JRN	300	Multimedia Writing and Reporting (W)					3
		JRN	432	Magazine, Feature and Freelance Writing					3
3.		The following capstone courses (6 credits):
		DS	411A	Advanced Documentary Filmmaking I (W)					3
		DS	411B	Advanced Documentary Filmmaking II (W)					3