THEA 482: Documentary/Nonfiction Film
Prerequisites: THEA 180
Credit Hours: (3)
An overview of documentary/nonfiction film from its primitive beginnings in the shorts
of the Lumiere Brothers to an examination of contemporary artists, directions and
visions.
Note(s): Student cannot receive credit for both THEA 380 and THEA 482.
Detailed Description of Course
Topical Outline:
1. The early contributions and lasting influence of Robert Flaherty and Dziga Vertov;
2. John Grierson’s role in defining the documentary/ nonfiction film as a powerful
force for social action;
3. The propaganda films of World War II which would utilize the talents of such different
artists as John Huston, Frank Capra and Leni Riefenstahl;
4. The influence of Alexandre Astruc’s Caméra-Stylo on the creation of cinéma vérité
and the direct cinema movements;
5. The documentary/nonfiction film on television from Edward R. Murrow’s See It Now
to Robert Drew’s Closeup!;
6. The ill-formed but influential Free Cinema movement in Britain;
7. Post 1970's documentary film period exemplified in the works of Peter Davis, Emile
De Antonio, Barbara Kopple, Saul Landau, Claudia Weill and Haskel Wexler;
8. Contemporary trends and directions in the documentary/nonfiction film.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Class instruction will consist of assigned and assisted viewings, readings, guest
and faculty lectures.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. Students will understand what makes a documentary/nonfiction film and the difficulties
in defining this type of film.
2. Students will learn about the significant documentary/nonfiction filmmakers and
theorists.
3. Students will understand the evolution of, as well as the current trends in, the
documentary/nonfiction film.
4. Students will learn about and be exposed to significant works of documentary/nonfiction
film.
Assessment Measures
Final grades in this class will be based on examinations, participation and a final
project in which the student will examine a topic in the documentary/nonfiction film.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
September 2005 Review
3/2009 Revision Carl Lefko
3/2010 Review Carl Lefko
July 2010