Academic Programs Catalog

College of Communication Arts and Sciences

School of Journalism

Undergraduate Programs
Minor in Documentary Production

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