COR 3690 The Impact of Documentary

We are currently experiencing a documentary explosion.  For many years you could only see documentaries on PBS, some cable outlets, and a few theaters.  With the proliferation of streaming services, and the spread of broadband, documentaries have moved from niche to mainstream.  Documentaries can entertain, inform, and enlighten viewers.  Facts expressed cinematically can be very persuasive.  Some documentaries utilize this power to change hearts and minds.    

This course explores a broad range of documentary works that have affected change even if that was not the filmmaker's intention.  We will look at each film’s topic before and after the documentary’s release and examine how the film created change.  Building on this foundation, you will choose a social issue where you would like to see change for the common good, research that issue, and pitch a documentary idea that could affect the change you would like to see.